This policy explains how Pickaxe ("we") handles information when you use the Yello macOS app and the helloyello.app website.
Information the app handles
- Audio and transcripts. Yello records while its dictation gesture is active. Apple transcription is required to run on-device. If you select OpenAI transcription, the recording is sent to OpenAI using the API key you provide. Temporary audio files are permission-restricted and removed after processing; stale temporary recordings are removed when Yello next starts.
- AI cleanup and writing. If you use OpenAI or Anthropic cleanup, Yello sends the dictated or selected text and relevant context to the provider you selected. That context may include saved facts, snippets, vocabulary, the active app name, and—when enabled—the active window title.
- Screen answers. When you deliberately use the screen-answer gesture, Yello captures a screenshot and sends it, together with your instruction and relevant saved context, to your selected AI provider. Yello does not continuously capture or monitor your screen.
- Local app data. Preferences, recent transcript history, saved facts, custom vocabulary, and snippets are stored under your macOS Application Support folder. Recent history is capped at 50 entries. You can edit or clear this data in Yello.
- Secrets and licensing. Provider API keys, the Yello license key, license instance identifier, and trial state are stored in macOS Keychain. License activation sends the license key and your Mac's local computer name to Lemon Squeezy. Validation may return the purchaser email, which Yello stores in Keychain for license status display.
Website and purchases
The website does not include advertising or analytics scripts. Its hosting provider may process standard request information such as IP address, browser type, requested URL, and timestamp to deliver and secure the site. Purchase links take you to Lemon Squeezy, the merchant of record, which processes checkout, tax, payment, order, and licensing information under its own privacy policy.
Service providers
Depending on the features you choose, information may be processed by Apple, OpenAI, Anthropic, Lemon Squeezy, and our website hosting provider. Your use of an AI provider is also governed by the terms and data practices of the account and API key you supply. Yello does not sell personal information or use it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
Retention, deletion, and security
Local data remains until you clear it, remove it in the app, or uninstall Yello and delete its Application Support and Keychain data. Third-party providers keep information according to their own terms and your account settings. Yello uses macOS Keychain for secrets, restrictive file permissions for app data, encrypted HTTPS connections, and bounded network responses. No security measure is perfect.
Your choices
You can stay with on-device Apple transcription, choose which AI provider to use, disable active-window-title context, clear history, remove saved facts and snippets, revoke macOS permissions, delete provider keys, or stop using Yello. Do not use screen answers on material you are not authorized to share.
Children and changes
Yello is not directed to children under 13. We may update this policy as the product changes. We will revise the effective date and provide additional notice when required.
Contact
Questions or privacy requests: chris@pickaxeproject.com.