Privacy & Security

We built Focus with a local-first architecture. Your video content, audio, transcripts, search queries, and search indexes stay on your computer during normal use.

How it works

Focus processes transcription, semantic search, and the core library workflow locally on your machine by default. The AI models are downloaded once and run locally using your GPU (Metal or CUDA). Optional Cloud Acceleration is a separate, explicitly confirmed workflow.

Data Storage

All your videos, transcripts, and search indices are stored on your local hard drive. We do not have access to them. If you uninstall the app, all data is removed from the application's database, though your original video files remain untouched in their folders.

Internet Connection

Focus uses the internet for these explicit operations:

  • Verify your entitlement with the store or marketplace through which you obtained Focus.
  • Download AI models (one-time download).
  • Check for software updates where the distribution supports in-app updates.
  • Upload only the job-scoped media you explicitly confirm for optional Cloud Acceleration.

During normal local use, Focus does not upload your video content, audio, or transcripts anywhere.

Optional Cloud Acceleration

Cloud Acceleration is not part of the default local workflow. If you explicitly confirm a supported cloud job, Focus stages and uploads only the media selected for that job, together with the account and job metadata required to process and return it. Do not enable it for footage that must remain entirely on your device.

Connected agents and MCP

Focus only returns library data to an AI provider when you connect a compatible client and ask it to use Focus. The local MCP server sends the client the bounded result needed for that request.

  • Original video files and Focus search indexes remain on your computer.
  • Requested transcript excerpts, timestamps, metadata, search evidence, and status information may be sent by the connected client to its AI provider.
  • That provider controls its own processing and retention. Review its terms and privacy settings; you can disconnect the Focus integration at any time.

Website analytics and referrals

This website records basic page and click events to understand which pages help visitors. If you accept cookies, we also load Lemon Squeezy affiliate tracking to credit referral partners and OpenAI Ads measurement to attribute checkout starts and completed purchases. OpenAI Ads measurement may store first-party attribution cookies and receives the purchased Focus tier, amount, currency, and opaque attribution references only after a verified payment. This does not track your video files, transcripts, searches, or desktop app usage.

GDPR Rights (France & EU)

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right of access: You can ask what data we hold about you.
  • Right to rectification: You can ask to correct inaccurate data.
  • Right to erasure: You can ask us to delete your data (e.g., your license key record).
  • Right to portability: You can request your data in a structured format.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at contact@use-focus.com.

Default local workflows do not upload workspace content. Optional Cloud Acceleration uploads only job-scoped media after your explicit confirmation. Entitlement checks, model downloads, and supported update checks use the network without sending workspace content. A connected AI client receives only the bounded Focus results you request and handles them under that provider's terms.