Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 16, 2026

Overview

FileScope is a desktop application that runs entirely on your computer. We are committed to your privacy. This policy explains what data FileScope collects, how it is used, and your rights under applicable data protection laws including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the UK GDPR, and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

1. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal data is:

FileScope
Email: support.filescope@proton.me

2. Local-Only Processing

FileScope processes all your files locally on your Windows PC. Specifically:

• File indexing, content extraction, and OCR happen entirely on your machine.
• AI embeddings are generated locally using an on-device model (all-MiniLM-L6-v2). No file content is sent to any server.
• The search index (SQLite database and vector store) is stored in your local AppData folder.
• No file contents, filenames, or search queries are transmitted to FileScope or any third party.

3. Data We Collect and Legal Basis

3.1 Payment Information

When you purchase a license, payment is processed by our payment provider (Dodo Payments). We receive your email address and payment confirmation. We do not store credit card numbers or banking details.

Legal basis (GDPR): Performance of a contract (Article 6(1)(b)) — necessary to fulfill your purchase and deliver the license.

3.2 Website Analytics

Our website (filescope.dev) uses Vercel Web Analytics, a privacy-friendly, cookie-free analytics service, to understand page visits and referral sources. This does not track individual users, does not use cookies, and does not collect personal information. No analytics are collected from the desktop application itself. Vercel Web Analytics is subject to Vercel's privacy policy.

Legal basis (GDPR): Legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f)) — to understand website traffic and improve our service. No personal data is processed.

3.3 License Activation

When you activate your license key, FileScope sends your license key and device name (computer hostname) to Dodo Payments for verification. This is a one-time request at activation. No other data is sent.

Legal basis (GDPR): Performance of a contract (Article 6(1)(b)) — necessary to verify your purchase and activate the license.

3.4 Error Reporting

FileScope uses Sentry, a third-party error tracking service, to collect crash reports and application errors. This data may include your operating system version, app version, and technical error details (stack traces). It does not include file contents, filenames, search queries, or other personal data. Error reporting helps us identify and fix bugs.

Legal basis (GDPR): Legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f)) — to maintain software stability and fix bugs.

3.5 Auto-Update Checks

FileScope periodically checks GitHub Releases for available updates. This sends a standard HTTPS request containing your app version and operating system. No personal data or file information is included.

Legal basis (GDPR): Legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f)) — to ensure the software is up to date and secure.

4. Data We Do NOT Collect

• File contents, names, or paths from your computer
• Search queries you type into FileScope
• Screenshots, OCR results, or extracted text
• Browsing history or keystrokes
• Personal documents or credentials
• Device identifiers, IP addresses, or location data from the desktop application

5. Cookies

Our website does not use cookies for tracking or analytics. The desktop application does not use cookies. Our payment provider may use cookies necessary to process your transaction, which are governed by their own privacy policy.

6. Data Storage and Retention

All application data (search index, file metadata, vector embeddings) is stored locally in your Windows user profile directory. Uninstalling FileScope or deleting its data folder permanently removes all indexed data.

We retain your email address and purchase record for as long as your license is active and as required for tax and legal compliance purposes. You may request deletion at any time (see Section 9).

7. Security

FileScope is built with security in mind. The application runs in a sandboxed environment with context isolation enabled, automatically excludes sensitive files (such as .pem, .key, .env, and private keys) from content extraction, and restricts file operations to prevent unauthorized access.

8. Third-Party Services and International Transfers

• Dodo Payments — processes purchases and verifies license activations. Your payment data and device name (hostname) may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your country of residence. Dodo Payments implements appropriate safeguards for such transfers. Subject to their privacy policy.
• GitHub (Microsoft) — hosts update files. Standard HTTPS requests are made to check for updates. Subject to GitHub's privacy statement.
• Vercel — hosts our website and provides cookie-free web analytics. Subject to Vercel's privacy policy.
• Sentry (Functional Software) — receives crash reports and error data from the desktop application. Subject to Sentry's privacy policy.

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with any other third parties.

9. Your Rights

9.1 Rights Under GDPR (EU/EEA/UK Residents)

Under the GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to rectification — request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to erasure — request deletion of your personal data.
• Right to restrict processing — request that we limit how we use your data.
• Right to data portability — request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to object — object to processing based on legitimate interests.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support.filescope@proton.me. We will respond within 30 days. If you are unsatisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.

9.2 Rights Under CCPA (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect and how it is used.
• Delete your personal information.
• Opt out of sale of personal information. We do not sell your personal information.
• Non-discrimination — we will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

To exercise your rights, contact us at support.filescope@proton.me.

10. Children's Privacy

FileScope is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Continued use of FileScope after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, contact us at support.filescope@proton.me.