Know where your data goes
A practical map of local processing, optional OpenAI requests, Keychain secrets, storage locations, and deletion.
macOS is local by default
- In WhisperInk for macOS, dictation audio and speech transcription always stay on your Mac.
- Temporary audio is removed after transcription.
- Dictation history and Command conversations are stored locally.
- Downloaded writing models can process Command entirely offline.
- WhisperInk disables general analytics and tracing.
When OpenAI receives data
In WhisperInk for macOS, only an OpenAI writing model selected for Command makes an OpenAI request. Depending on your settings and the request, it can include the locally transcribed instruction, personal context, selected text, conversation history, attachments, or a screenshot. macOS dictation audio is never sent.
WhisperInk for iOS uses a different bring-your-own-key design: it sends finished dictation audio directly to OpenAI for transcription. See the iOS Privacy Notice at /privacy before enabling its keyboard.
WhisperInk sets store=false for these requests. OpenAI’s own account, retention, privacy, and billing rules still apply. The app does not impose or monitor an API spending limit.
Keys and licence credentials
Your OpenAI API key and licence activation are stored in macOS Keychain rather than ordinary app preferences. Remove the API key from WhisperInk at any time to switch back to local Command processing.
Local storage locations
| Data | Location |
|---|---|
| Writing data | ~/Library/Application Support/WhisperInk/Agent |
| Speech models | ~/Library/Application Support/WhisperInk/Models |
| Writing models | ~/Library/Application Support/WhisperInk/AgentModels |
Remove your data
- Delete individual transcripts and Command conversations from History.
- Remove managed speech and writing models inside the app.
- Remove your OpenAI key from the Command model settings.
- Moving WhisperInk to Trash does not remove its Application Support folders. Delete those separately only after you no longer need their contents.