AiCatalog Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 24, 2025

1. Data Storage and Processing

1.1 Local Storage Only

AiCatalog stores all data locally on your Mac:

• Photo Catalogs: Stored in ~/Documents/AiCatalog Catalogs/
• Proxy Images: Stored in ~/Library/Application Support/Proxies/
• Application Preferences: Stored in standard macOS preferences location
• API Keys: Securely stored in macOS Keychain (never in plain text)

Your original photos remain in their original locations and are never moved or modified without your explicit action.

1.2 No Cloud Storage

AiCatalog does not:

• Upload your photos to any cloud service
• Store your catalogs on external servers
• Transmit your personal data to our servers
• Require an account or login
• Track your usage or behavior

2. AI Features (Optional)

2.1 Third-Party AI Services

AiCatalog offers optional AI-powered features for automatic photo tagging and metadata generation. These features are:

• Completely Optional: You choose when to use them
• User-Controlled: You provide your own API keys
• On-Demand Only: Photos are only sent when you explicitly request AI analysis

2.2 Supported AI Providers

If you choose to use AI features, you may connect to:

• Google Gemini: Google's privacy policy applies when using their API
• OpenAI GPT-4: OpenAI's privacy policy applies when using their API
• Ollama (Local): Completely local AI processing with no external data transmission

Important: When using Google Gemini or OpenAI, your selected photos are temporarily sent to these services for analysis. Please review their respective privacy policies:

• Google Privacy Policy
• OpenAI Privacy Policy

2.3 Local AI Processing

When using Ollama for AI features, all processing happens locally on your Mac with no internet connection required.

3. Metadata and EXIF Data

AiCatalog reads and writes standard photo metadata (EXIF, IPTC, XMP) directly to your photo files or XMP sidecar files. This metadata includes:

• Camera settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc.)
• GPS location data (if present in your photos)
• Keywords and descriptions you add
• Ratings and color labels

All metadata operations are performed locally on your Mac. Metadata is never transmitted to external services unless you explicitly use AI features as described above.

4. No Analytics or Telemetry

AiCatalog does not collect any analytics, telemetry, or usage data. We do not track:

• How you use the application
• What photos you manage
• Your system configuration
• Crash reports (unless you manually submit them)

5. Network Access

AiCatalog only accesses the internet when:

• You explicitly request AI analysis using Google Gemini or OpenAI
• The app checks for software updates (optional)

No other network activity occurs. The app functions completely offline.

6. Third-Party Libraries

AiCatalog uses the following open-source libraries:

• GRDB.swift: Local SQLite database management (no network access)
• ExifTool: Local metadata reading/writing (no network access)

These libraries operate entirely locally and do not transmit data.

7. macOS Permissions

AiCatalog may request the following macOS permissions:

• Full Disk Access: To read and catalog your photos across your entire system
• Files and Folders Access: To access specific photo folders you select

These permissions are used solely for local file access and never for data transmission.

8. Data Security

• API Keys: Stored securely in macOS Keychain with system-level encryption
• Local Catalogs: Protected by your Mac's file system permissions and encryption (if FileVault is enabled)
• No External Storage: Your data never leaves your control

9. Data Retention and Deletion

You have complete control over your data:

• Delete catalogs at any time from ~/Documents/AiCatalog Catalogs/
• Delete proxy images from ~/Library/Application Support/Proxies/
• Uninstall the app to remove all application data
• Your original photos are never affected by AiCatalog operations unless you explicitly move or delete them

10. Children's Privacy

AiCatalog does not collect any personal information from anyone, including children under 13. The app is designed for local use only.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected in the app and on our website with an updated "Last Updated" date.

12. Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy or AiCatalog's privacy practices, please contact:

Email: support@aicatalog.app
Website: https://aicatalog.app

13. Your Rights

Since all data is stored locally on your Mac:

• You have complete access to all your data at all times
• You can modify or delete any data without restriction
• You can export your data by copying catalog files
• No data requests are necessary since we don't store your data