How your data stays on your Mac
Where your captured data lives, what "encrypted at rest" really means, and the one honest caveat.
Your memory, on your device
Selv stores your captured memory locally. Once the app and local models are set up, core capture, search and chat can work offline.
Local protection
Journal data, notes, transcripts, captured screenshots and the search index are encrypted at rest. Encryption keys are held locally. Working audio buffers are temporarily unencrypted; see Privacy for the current protection details.
Connections you choose
If you use a cloud model, the context for that request goes to your selected provider. Connected AI tools receive the information you authorize. Their own privacy policies apply. You can use Selv with local models instead.
Initial model downloads, app downloads, paid-plan activation and update checks also use the network. Optional sources such as Notion and IMAP only connect when you switch them on. What leaves this Mac lists each path, and Settings › Diagnostics › Network activity shows the live log from 0.11.0.
Keep a backup
Your local memory does not automatically exist in a Selv cloud account. Keep a secure backup before erasing or replacing a device.
Updated 2026-09-21