VTT runs on your Mac. By default it transcribes on-device, so your audio never leaves the machine. There is no account, no sign-in, and no analytics or tracking. If you choose a cloud engine, your audio is sent directly from your Mac to that provider using your own API key — we never receive, see, or store it.
01Who we are
VTT (“VTT”, “the app”, “we”, “us”) is a native macOS dictation app developed by Ihor Herasymovych, an independent developer based in Portugal (tax ID / NIF 316371424), who is the data controller for the limited purposes described here. This policy explains how VTT handles your information. VTT is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Apple Inc.
This policy applies to the VTT macOS application and the website at vtt.the-ihor.com.
02Information we collect
We do not collect personal data. VTT has no user accounts, no sign-in, and sends no analytics or telemetry to us. Specifically:
- No account. You do not register or provide an email, name, or any identifier to use VTT.
- No analytics or tracking. The app does not embed advertising or third-party analytics SDKs and does not profile you.
- No audio or transcripts sent to us. We operate no servers that receive your voice or text.
Any diagnostics you choose to share with Apple through macOS (e.g. system crash reporting) are handled by Apple under Apple’s Privacy Policy, not by us.
03On-device processing
VTT needs access to your microphone to capture speech and may request accessibility / input permission to insert text into the app you are typing in. These permissions are requested by macOS and can be revoked at any time in System Settings → Privacy & Security.
When you use an on-device engine (such as Apple’s Speech framework, including macOS 26 Speech), your audio is processed locally on your Mac and is not transmitted off the device by VTT. Transcribed text is placed where you direct it (the active app or the clipboard) and is not retained by us.
04Optional cloud engines
VTT can optionally use third-party cloud transcription providers when you enable them and supply your own API key. When you select a cloud engine, the relevant audio and resulting text are sent directly from your Mac to that provider over an encrypted connection, authenticated with your key, so the provider can perform the transcription.
In this flow:
- VTT acts only as a client on your device — your data does not pass through any server operated by us.
- The handling, retention, and use of that data is governed by the provider’s own terms and privacy policy, under your own account with them.
- You control whether cloud engines are used at all; on-device engines work fully offline.
Supported providers and their policies:
05API keys & settings
If you provide API keys for cloud engines, they are stored locally on your Mac (in the macOS Keychain and/or the app’s local preferences) and are sent only to the corresponding provider when you make a request. We never receive your keys. App settings and any downloaded language models are also stored locally on your device.
06Network connections
VTT makes network connections only for purposes you initiate or that are necessary to run the app, namely:
- Requests to a cloud transcription provider you have enabled (using your key).
- Downloading on-device language models you choose to install.
- Checking for app updates, if that option is available and enabled.
On-device dictation does not require an internet connection.
07Third-party services
Beyond the optional transcription providers above, app downloads may be hosted on GitHub and the website may be served via GitHub Pages; standard web server logs (such as IP address) may be processed by those hosts under their own policies. We do not combine such logs with any other data or use them to identify you.
08Children’s privacy
VTT is a general-purpose productivity tool and is not directed to children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
09Data security & your control
Because your data stays on your device (or goes directly to a provider you chose), you remain in control of it. You can revoke microphone or accessibility permissions at any time, remove your API keys, delete downloaded models, or uninstall the app to remove its local data. Deleting data held by a cloud provider is done through that provider’s own account controls.
10Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the app evolves. Material changes will be reflected by updating the “Last updated” date above and posting the revised policy at this URL. Continued use of VTT after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
11Contact
Questions about this policy or your privacy? Email [email protected].
This document is provided for transparency and App Store review purposes. It is not legal advice.