Privacy Policy
BayanListening for macOS
Effective: June 3, 2026
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy describes how BayanListening (“we”, “our”, or “the App”) collects, uses, and protects information when you use our macOS application. We are committed to being transparent about our data practices and respecting your privacy.
We do not collect analytics, behavioral tracking, advertising identifiers, or crash reports. There are no third-party analytics or advertising SDKs in our app.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 App Installation Identifier
When you first install BayanListening, the app generates a random identifier called the App Installation Identifier. This is:
- A randomly generated UUID (universally unique identifier) — for example:
a1b2c3d4-e5f6-7890-abcd-ef1234567890 - Not derived from or tied to any hardware identifier, device serial number, or Apple device ID
- Unique to the app's local data on this Mac — if the app's local data is removed, a new identifier is generated
- Used solely to associate your transcription jobs, sync data, preferences, and login session security within the app
We use this identifier to:
- Isolate your data from other app installations
- Enforce fair-use rate limits on our servers
- Ensure idempotent (safe-to-retry) API requests
- Bind login sessions to the app installation that created them
- Associate your cloud-synced data with your account when you choose to sign in
The App Installation Identifier is sent with API requests via the X-Installation-ID HTTP header. It never identifies your physical device. If you choose to sign in, it may be associated with your account solely for sync, account security, and per-installation app functionality.
2.2 Account Information (Apple Sign In)
If you choose to enable Cloud Sync, you sign in with your Apple ID. We receive only:
- Your Apple identity token (used to verify your identity with Apple, not stored by us)
- Your name (on first sign-in only, if you choose to share it)
- Your email address (if you choose the “Share My Email” option; Apple’s “Hide My Email” feature works and we support it)
We do not receive or store your Apple ID password, device hardware identifiers, or any other Apple account data.
2.3 Audio and Transcription Data
When you request a transcription, the following occurs:
- The app extracts the audio track from your video file locally on your Mac (using the FFmpeg framework).
- The audio data is uploaded to our server which forwards it to Google Cloud Speech-to-Text for transcription.
- The resulting transcription text (words with timestamps) is returned to your app.
Audio data uploaded for transcription is stored temporarily on our servers and is automatically deleted after processing is complete. Transcription results (text and timestamps) are stored on our servers if you enable Cloud Sync, or remain only on your device if Cloud Sync is not enabled.
2.4 Notes and Attachments
BayanListening lets you create notes and attach files (photos, audio recordings, sketches) to your notes.
- Without Cloud Sync: Notes and attachments are stored only on your Mac in
~/Library/BayanLibrary/. They are never sent to our servers. - With Cloud Sync: Notes and their attachments are synced to our servers so you can access them across devices. They are stored on Google Cloud Storage and in our database, associated with your account.
When you use the AI Chat feature and choose to include your notes, the plain text of your notes may be sent as context to the AI model. See Section 2.5 below.
2.5 AI Chat Data
When you use the AI Chat feature, the following data may be sent to the AI model (Google Vertex AI):
- Your chat message text
- Subtitle/transcript text from the current video (as context for the AI)
- Your note text (only if you explicitly enable “Include Notes” in chat settings)
- Your previous chat exchange (only if you enable “Include Previous Chat”)
- Current playback position (to help the AI understand where you are in the video)
Chat messages are stored only in your device’s memory (RAM). They are not persisted to disk or synced to our servers. When you quit the app, chat history is permanently lost.
2.6 Highlight and Chapter Analysis
When you use the Highlight or Chapter analysis feature, the following is sent to the AI model:
- Full transcript text of the current video
- Video metadata (title, author, duration, language)
- Your preferred output language
Analysis results are stored on our servers if Cloud Sync is enabled, otherwise only on your device.
2.7 Video Data for AI Video Context
If you enable “Video Direct” mode in AI Chat, the app may upload the actual video file to our servers for AI analysis. This feature is opt-in and can be disabled in settings. Video files uploaded for AI analysis are temporarily cached on our servers and automatically deleted after analysis.
2.8 Cloud Sync Data
Cloud Sync is an opt-in feature. When you enable it, the following data is synced to our servers:
| Data Type | What Is Synced |
|---|---|
| Folders | Name, parent folder, sort order |
| Video metadata | Name, duration, playback position, subtitle settings |
| Subtitles | Track info, cue text and timestamps |
| Notes | Note content (plain text and rich text), timestamps |
| Note attachments | File name, type, size; the actual file (photo, audio, etc.) |
| Highlights | Highlight topics, segments, and themes |
| Chapters | Chapter titles and time ranges |
| Annotations | Inline highlights and annotations |
| Playback state | Last playback position per video per app installation |
| Video files | Optional — uploaded only if you choose to sync them |
3. Information We Do NOT Collect
For clarity, here is what BayanListening does not collect, transmit, or share:
- No analytics or telemetry — we do not track how you use the app, which features you use, or how often
- No crash reporting — we do not send crash logs to any third-party service
- No advertising identifiers — no IDFA, IDFV, or any tracking identifier
- No device hardware information — the App Installation Identifier is a random UUID, not derived from any hardware identifier
- No location data — we never request or access GPS or location services
- No browsing history — we do not track websites or other apps you use
- No camera or microphone access — the app does not access the camera or microphone directly (audio extraction from video files is done locally via FFmpeg)
4. Third-Party Services
BayanListening uses the following third-party services. Each service has its own privacy policy:
4.1 Google Cloud Platform
Our backend runs on Google Cloud Run and stores data in Google Cloud Storage and Cloud SQL (PostgreSQL). Google processes this data as our cloud infrastructure provider under their Data Processing Agreement.
4.2 Google Cloud Speech-to-Text
Audio data you submit for transcription is sent to Google Cloud Speech-to-Text. Google processes this data to produce transcription text under the Google Cloud service terms and data usage practices.
4.3 Google Vertex AI
When you use AI Chat, Highlight Analysis, or Chapter Analysis, your messages and context (transcripts, notes) are sent to Google Vertex AI to generate responses. Google processes this data under Google Cloud service terms and Vertex AI data governance practices.
4.4 Apple Sign In
Authentication is handled by Apple’s Sign In with Apple service. We receive only the identity token and whatever name/email you choose to share. Apple’s privacy policy applies to the authentication process.
5. Data Storage and Security
- All data in transit is encrypted using TLS (HTTPS).
- Data at rest on Google Cloud Storage and Cloud SQL is encrypted by default.
- Authentication tokens (JWT access/refresh tokens) are stored in the macOS Keychain, which is protected by the operating system.
- Video and audio files on GCS are accessed via time-limited signed URLs that expire after a set period.
- Our servers are hosted on Google Cloud Run in the Europe (europe-west1) region.
- Service-to-service requests within our infrastructure are authenticated using internal bearer tokens stored in Google Secret Manager.
6. Data Retention and Deletion
6.1 Data You Can Delete Yourself
- Transcription audio: Automatically deleted from our servers after transcription is complete.
- Chat messages: Never persisted — exist only in device RAM and are lost when you quit the app.
- All local data: You can delete all local data by removing the app’s data from
~/Library/BayanLibrary/and uninstalling the app.
6.2 Account Deletion
You can delete your account and all associated cloud data at any time:
- Open BayanListening → Settings → Account → Delete Account
- Or email us at support@bayanlistening.top
Account deletion permanently removes all synced data including notes, attachments, transcription results, highlights, chapters, and account information. This action cannot be undone.
6.3 Server-Side Retention
- Audio files for transcription: deleted within 24 hours of processing completion.
- Video files uploaded for AI analysis: deleted within 24 hours of processing completion.
- Cloud-synced data: retained until you delete your account or delete specific data through the app.
- AI chat messages: never stored on our servers (ephemeral, in-memory only).
7. Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights:
- Access: Request a copy of all data we hold about you.
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your data and account.
- Data portability: Export your synced data through the app’s sync features.
- Withdraw consent: Disable Cloud Sync at any time. Unsynced data will remain only on your device.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@bayanlistening.top.
8. Children’s Privacy
BayanListening is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take steps to delete that information.
9. International Data Transfers
Our servers are located in the Europe (europe-west1) region on Google Cloud Platform. If you use BayanListening from outside the European Economic Area, your data will be transferred to and processed in Europe. By using the app, you consent to this transfer. Google Cloud Platform maintains appropriate safeguards including Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page with a new effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
- Email: support@bayanlistening.top