SnipMD Privacy Policy

Last updated: 2026-07-30 · Effective immediately

TL;DR. SnipMD is a local macOS menu-bar app. We don't have a server, we don't have accounts, we don't collect analytics, and we don't see your screenshots. The only time data leaves your Mac is when you click an AI feature (Translate, Summarize, Code Review, Q&A, Math OCR, AI filename) — and then it goes only to the AI provider you chose, using your API key. You can avoid all network traffic by not using those buttons.
Contents
  1. What SnipMD does
  2. Data we collect
  3. When data leaves your Mac
  4. Local storage
  5. macOS permissions
  6. Smart Redaction
  7. Third-party services
  8. Subscriptions & refunds
  9. License & Pro activation
  10. Children's privacy
  11. International transfers
  12. Changes to this policy
  13. Contact

1. What SnipMD does

SnipMD is a macOS menu-bar application that helps you capture, read, and reuse screenshots. It does on-device OCR using Apple's Vision framework, converts the recognized text into clean Markdown, and offers optional AI features (translation, summarization, code review, multi-turn Q&A, math OCR, AI-generated filenames, action-item extraction to Reminders / Calendar / Contacts, and redacting sensitive info such as emails, phone numbers, and API keys).

SnipMD has a Free tier (unlimited captures, OCR, Markdown, annotation, redaction, local history up to 40 items) and a Pro subscription that unlocks the AI features, raises the history cap to up to 1,000 items, and adds priority support.

2. Data we collect

SnipMD does not collect, store, transmit, sell, or share any personal data on its own. We do not operate a backend service. We do not run analytics. We do not have an account system. We do not have a crash-reporting service. We do not have a marketing-pixel integration.

Specifically, SnipMD does not collect:

The only "data" SnipMD transmits is what you explicitly send to an AI provider when you click a feature that needs it (see §3).

3. When data leaves your Mac

SnipMD sends data to a remote AI service only when you explicitly click a button that requires it. The following features are network calls; everything else in SnipMD is on-device.

3.1 Features that send data

3.2 What is sent

For text features, the payload is the OCR text (or your selected text) plus the prompt template. The image itself is not sent unless the feature specifically needs it (Math Solve, Vision fallback).

3.3 Where it goes

SnipMD ships with 8 supported providers; the request goes to the one you have configured (Settings → AI). SnipMD never proxies your request through our own infrastructure — your data goes directly from your Mac to the provider's API endpoint, signed with your API key.

You can avoid all data leaving your Mac by not clicking any of the features above; the rest of the app is fully local.

4. Local storage

SnipMD stores the following on your Mac only:

5. macOS permissions

SnipMD requests the following macOS permissions. All are opt-in (you can deny any of them and the app continues to work, with the corresponding feature disabled).

5.1 Screen Recording Required

Required to capture screenshots of regions, windows, and the full screen. macOS shows a permission prompt the first time SnipMD requests it. Grant in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording.

5.2 Accessibility Required for ⌥⇧V

Needed to paste OCR'd text into the frontmost app via the Paste Latest hotkey (⌥⇧V). Without this permission, the hotkey copies to the clipboard instead and shows a one-time prompt explaining how to enable it.

5.3 AppleScript automation Required for Reminders / Calendar / Contacts

When you click "Extract to Reminders / Calendar / Contacts", SnipMD uses AppleScript to write the parsed data to those apps. macOS prompts you the first time. SnipMD only runs the AppleScript that performs the specific write you requested — it does not enumerate your existing data, and it does not send any of it off your Mac.

6. Smart Redaction

SnipMD's Smart Redaction runs entirely on-device using pattern-matching (regular expressions) and Apple's built-in data detectors. It detects and visually masks 8 categories of PII: email addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers, IPv4 / IPv6 addresses, MAC addresses, API keys, bearer tokens, and IBAN-style account numbers. The detection is local; redacted content is never transmitted anywhere.

7. Third-party services

SnipMD itself does not call any third-party analytics, ad network, or crash-reporting service. The only third-party network calls are the AI provider requests you initiate (see §3). Each provider's privacy policy applies to whatever you send them; SnipMD has no contractual relationship with them and is not responsible for their retention or use of your data.

8. Subscriptions & refunds

SnipMD Pro is sold as an auto-renewing subscription through the Mac App Store. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel subscriptions in System Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions.

A 7-day free trial is included with new Pro subscriptions. If you do not cancel before the trial ends, you will be charged the subscription price. You can cancel any time during the trial and not be charged.

Refunds are handled by Apple per the Mac App Store refund policy. To request a refund, use the Report a Problem link in your purchase confirmation email or in the App Store app.

9. License & Pro activation

Pro licenses are managed by Apple (auto-renewing subscriptions) or by a license key you can redeem in the app. License keys are validated locally using a public-key signature — the SnipMD backend does not see them. License state is stored in ~/Library/Application Support/SnipMD/license.json on your Mac; it contains no personal data.

10. Children's privacy

SnipMD is a general-purpose productivity tool. It is not directed at children under 13 (US COPPA), under 16 (EU GDPR / UK), or under the age of digital consent in your jurisdiction. We do not knowingly collect information from children. Because SnipMD does not collect any information from anyone, no special child-data handling is required.

11. International transfers

Because SnipMD does not operate a backend, there is no cross-border data transfer performed by SnipMD itself. If you choose to use an AI provider whose servers are located outside your country (which is the case for most of the supported providers), your request is sent to that provider directly per §3. Each provider's privacy policy governs their handling of your request.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy. The "Last updated" date at the top will reflect the change. Material changes will be announced in the app's release notes. Continued use of SnipMD after a material change constitutes acceptance of the new policy. If you do not agree, you may stop using SnipMD and request a refund per §8.

13. Contact

For privacy questions, data deletion requests, or any other concern, contact support@hqinfos.com. We aim to respond within 5 business days.