Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Utter is a macOS application that turns text you select into spoken audio, either word-for-word or as an AI-generated summary. For the purposes of applicable data-protection law, Utter is the controller of the personal data described in this policy.

You can contact us about this policy or your personal data at hello@tryutter.app.

2. Information we collect

Account and Google sign-in information

If you choose to sign in with Google, we receive the basic account information you authorise Google to share: your name, email address, profile image, and a unique Google account identifier. We use this information to create, secure, and identify your Utter account.

Utter does not use Google OAuth to access the contents of your Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Calendar, contacts, or other Google services. We do not receive your Google password.

Text you ask Utter to process

When you activate Utter, the app captures only the text selection needed to perform your request, along with limited context such as the source application name. The selected text may contain personal or confidential information depending on what you choose.

Generated audio and summaries

Selected text is sent securely to Utter's processing service and to our AI service provider, OpenAI, to generate speech. In TL;DR mode, the text is also processed to create the summary before speech is generated. The resulting audio is streamed back to your Mac.

Settings and device information

Preferences such as your chosen hotkey, playback speed, display mode, and onboarding status are stored locally on your Mac. We may also process limited technical data—such as app version, request status, error information, approximate timestamps, and IP address—to operate, secure, and troubleshoot the service.

Communications

If you contact us, join an early-access list, or request support, we receive the information you provide, such as your email address and message.

3. How we use information

We use personal data to:

• provide narration, summaries, account access, and support;
• authenticate users and prevent fraud or misuse;
• maintain, debug, and improve reliability and performance;
• communicate service, security, and policy updates;
• comply with law and enforce our Terms of Service.

Under UK and European data-protection law, our legal bases are performance of our contract with you, our legitimate interests in operating and securing Utter, your consent where requested, and compliance with legal obligations.

4. Google API data and Limited Use

Utter's use and transfer of information received from Google APIs will adhere to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including its Limited Use requirements.

We use Google account data only to provide and secure the sign-in and account features visible to you. We do not sell Google user data, use it for advertising, allow humans to read it except when necessary for security or support with your permission, or use it to train general-purpose AI models.

5. When we share information

We share data only as needed with:

• OpenAI, to generate summaries and spoken audio;
• hosting and infrastructure providers, to deliver and secure the website, relay service, and account system;
• professional advisers or authorities, when reasonably necessary to comply with law, protect rights, or respond to valid legal process;
• a successor organisation in connection with a merger, financing, acquisition, or sale, subject to appropriate safeguards.

We do not sell or rent personal data.

6. Retention

Selected text, generated summaries, and audio are processed transiently to fulfil your request and are not intentionally retained by Utter after the request completes. Limited request metadata and security logs may be retained for up to 30 days unless a longer period is necessary to investigate abuse or comply with law.

Account data is kept while your account is active and for up to 30 days after a deletion request, after which it is deleted or anonymised, subject to legal and security requirements. Local preferences remain on your Mac until you reset or uninstall the app.

7. Security and international transfers

We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards, including encrypted transport, access controls, and restricted credentials. No system is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Some providers may process data outside the United Kingdom or European Economic Area. Where required, we rely on adequacy decisions or approved contractual safeguards for those transfers.

8. Your choices and rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or receive a copy of your personal data, object to certain processing, and withdraw consent. You may disconnect Google access through your Google Account connections.

To exercise a right or request account deletion, email hello@tryutter.app. UK users may also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.

9. Children

Utter is not directed to children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect their personal data. Contact us if you believe a child has provided information to Utter.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as Utter evolves. We will post the revised version here, change the date above, and provide additional notice when a change materially affects your rights or how we use data.