Welcome to LocalAI ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and share your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding data collection when you use our LocalAI mobile and desktop application (the "App").
By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use the App.
Privacy First: LocalAI is designed with privacy as a core principle. Our on-device AI models process your data entirely on your device — no data is ever sent to external servers when using local models.
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
Account Information:
- Email address
- Display name (optional)
- Profile photo (optional)
- Password (encrypted)
Authentication Data:
- Sign-in credentials when you create an account
- Third-party authentication tokens (Google Sign-In, Apple Sign-In)
User Content:
- Text messages and conversations with AI assistants
- Images you upload for AI analysis or editing
- PDF documents you upload for processing
- Voice recordings when using voice input features
- Art generation prompts and preferences
- Chat history and conversation threads
Subscription Information:
- Purchase history
- Subscription tier (Free, AI Chat Pro, AI Art Pro)
- Payment transaction IDs (we do not store full payment details)
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
Device Information:
- Device type and model
- Operating system and version
- Unique device identifiers
- App version
Usage Data:
- Features used and frequency of use
- AI models selected (cloud and local)
- Error logs and crash reports
- Session duration and timestamps
- Selected AI providers and preferences
Analytics Data:
- App performance metrics
- User interaction patterns
- Feature engagement statistics
2.3 Information NOT Collected (Local AI Models)
When you use on-device local AI models (Llama, Gemma, Qwen, SmolLM, and others), your conversations are processed entirely on your device. We do not collect, transmit, or store any prompts, responses, or conversation data from local model usage. This data never leaves your device.
We use the information we collect to:
3.1 Provide and Improve Our Services
- Process your requests and deliver AI-generated responses via cloud AI providers
- Enable on-device AI inference for local models without any data transmission
- Generate images based on your prompts
- Edit and transform images you upload
- Maintain and improve the App's functionality
- Develop new features and services
3.2 Personalize Your Experience
- Remember your AI model preferences (cloud and local)
- Save your chat history for continuity
- Customize assistant personalities based on your selections
- Maintain your voice settings preferences
- Remember your preferred local model configurations
3.3 Process Transactions
- Manage subscription purchases and renewals
- Process payments through our payment providers
- Provide customer support for billing inquiries
3.4 Communicate With You
- Send service-related notifications
- Provide customer support
- Respond to your inquiries and requests
3.5 Ensure Security and Compliance
- Detect and prevent fraud or abuse
- Enforce our Terms of Service
- Comply with legal obligations
3.6 Analytics and Improvements
- Analyze usage patterns to improve user experience
- Monitor app performance and stability
- Identify and fix technical issues
LocalAI supports running AI models directly on your device, including models from the Llama, Gemma, Qwen, and SmolLM families. This section explains how local AI processing works and how it differs from cloud-based AI.
4.1 How Local AI Processing Works
- Local AI models are downloaded and stored on your device
- All inference (processing your prompts and generating responses) happens on-device using your device's CPU, GPU, or Neural Engine
- No internet connection is required to use local models after initial download
- Your conversations with local models are never transmitted to our servers or any third party
4.2 Data That Stays On Your Device
When using local AI models, the following data is processed and stored exclusively on your device and is never sent to us or any third party:
- All prompts and messages you send to local models
- All responses generated by local models
- Conversation history with local models
- Local model configuration and preferences
- Any documents or images processed by local models
4.3 Model Downloads
When you download a local AI model, we may collect:
- Which models you choose to download (for analytics and improving model availability)
- Download completion status (to ensure successful delivery)
- Device compatibility information (to recommend appropriate models for your hardware)
The model files themselves are stored locally on your device and can be deleted at any time through the App's settings.
4.4 Local vs. Cloud AI Comparison
Cloud AI models (GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek) require sending your prompts to third-party servers for processing. Local AI models (Llama, Gemma, Qwen, SmolLM) process everything on your device — your data never leaves your device. You can choose which type of model to use based on your privacy preferences.
5.1 Cloud AI Service Providers
When you use cloud-based AI models, we transmit your data to the following providers to generate responses. Each provider has their own privacy policies governing how they handle data:
Data sent to cloud AI providers is subject to their respective privacy policies. If maximum privacy is important to you, we recommend using our on-device local AI models, which process all data entirely on your device.
5.2 Firebase Services (Google)
We use Firebase for:
- Firebase Authentication — User account management
- Cloud Firestore — Data storage
- Firebase Storage — File and image storage
- Firebase Analytics — Usage analytics
- Firebase Crashlytics — Crash reporting and diagnostics
- Cloud Functions — Server-side processing
Firebase's privacy practices are governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
5.3 Payment Processing
- RevenueCat — Subscription management — Privacy Policy
- Stripe — Payment processing — Privacy Policy
- Apple App Store — In-app purchases (iOS/macOS)
- Google Play Store — In-app purchases (Android)
We do not store your credit card numbers or complete payment details. Payment processing is handled entirely by these third-party services.
6.1 Cloud Data Storage
Data associated with cloud AI features is stored using Firebase services, which utilize Google Cloud infrastructure. Data may be stored and processed in various locations worldwide where Google maintains data centers.
6.2 On-Device Data Storage
Data associated with local AI models is stored exclusively on your device:
- Local model files are stored in the App's sandboxed storage area
- Local conversation history is stored in on-device databases
- Local data is protected by your device's built-in security (passcode, Face ID, Touch ID)
- Deleting the App removes all locally stored model data and conversations
6.3 Security Measures
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:
- Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL)
- Encryption of data at rest
- Secure authentication mechanisms
- Regular security assessments
- Access controls and monitoring
- Secure server-side processing via Cloud Functions
- Sandboxed on-device storage for local AI data
6.4 Data Retention
- Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward for legal and business purposes
- Cloud Chat History: Retained until you delete it or close your account
- Local Chat History: Stored on your device only; deleted when you clear it in the App or uninstall the App
- Generated Images: Retained until you delete them or close your account
- Local AI Models: Stored on your device until you delete them through the App
- Analytics Data: Retained in aggregate form for product improvement
- Crash Reports: Retained for up to 90 days
7.1 Access and Portability
You can access your account information and chat history through the App's settings.
7.2 Correction
You can update your profile information at any time through the App.
7.3 Deletion
You can:
- Delete individual conversations and generated images
- Delete your entire account by contacting us
- Request deletion of all your personal data
- Delete downloaded local AI models from your device
- Clear all local conversation history independently of cloud data
7.4 Opt-Out
You can:
- Use only local AI models to avoid any data transmission to cloud providers
- Disable analytics collection in your device settings
- Revoke third-party sign-in permissions (Google/Apple)
- Unsubscribe from promotional communications
7.5 Data Export
You may request a copy of your personal data by contacting us.
Our App is not intended for children under the age of 13 (or 16 in certain jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under these ages. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence when using cloud-based AI features. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using the App, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries.
We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including:
- Standard contractual clauses
- Compliance with applicable data protection frameworks
Local AI Advantage: When using on-device local AI models, no international data transfers occur — all processing happens on your device, regardless of your location.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:
- Posting the new Privacy Policy in the App
- Updating the "Last Updated" date
- Sending you a notification for significant changes
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
- Right to Know: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
- Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
- Right of Access: Request access to your personal data
- Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
- Right to Restrict Processing: Request restriction of processing
- Right to Data Portability: Request transfer of your data
- Right to Object: Object to processing of your data
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time
Legal Basis for Processing:
- Performance of contract (providing services)
- Legitimate interests (improving services, security)
- Consent (analytics, marketing)
- Legal obligations
13.1 Cloud AI Chat Features
- Messages you send are processed by third-party AI providers
- Conversations are stored to provide chat history functionality
- AI providers may use conversations to improve their models (subject to their policies)
13.2 Local AI Chat Features
- Messages are processed entirely on your device by locally downloaded models
- No data is transmitted to any external server
- Local conversations are stored only on your device
- Local chat history can be deleted at any time from the App
- Works fully offline after model download — no internet required
13.3 Image Generation and Editing
- Prompts and generated images are stored in your account
- Uploaded images are processed by cloud-based AI services (Google Imagen, DALL-E)
- Generated images may be stored temporarily by AI providers
13.4 Voice Features
- Voice recordings are converted to text for AI processing
- Audio data is processed through Google Cloud services
- Voice recordings are not permanently stored unless required for functionality
13.5 File Uploads
- PDFs and documents are processed to extract text for AI analysis
- Uploaded files are stored securely in Firebase Storage
- Files are accessible only to your account
By using LocalAI, you consent to:
- The collection and use of your information as described in this Privacy Policy
- The processing of your data by third-party AI providers when using cloud-based models
- The storage of your data on cloud servers for cloud AI features
- On-device processing and storage when using local AI models
- International data transfers as necessary for cloud service delivery