Privacy policy

Who provides this product

Dotway is provided and maintained by its developer. For privacy questions, help or feedback, contact tuyou@me.com.

Local storage and iCloud sync

The app stores imported text, links, images, videos, tags, notes, places, action status and necessary processing records on your device. On-device text recognition uses Apple Vision. AI screenshot recognition on iPhone and iPad also sends screenshots to the external services described below. Original screenshots used to find posts, OCR drafts and local canvas layouts do not sync with posts. Content you confirm and add to your library can be included in sync.

When iCloud is available, supported records and media sync between devices using the same iCloud account through Apple CloudKit’s private database. Sync depends on your network, iCloud account and available storage. The Dotway developer does not provide a separate server for hosting your saved content.

Actions that connect to external services

• Opening webpages, signing in to content platforms, retrieving original posts and loading media connect to the relevant websites and send the network information needed to complete those requests. Platform sign-in sessions are stored in the device’s website data storage or browser.
• Finding an original post from a screenshot sends search keywords to your chosen platform. It does not upload the original screenshot to that platform as a search image.
• Place search and verification use Apple Maps. Location permission is used to show your distance and estimated travel time to saved places. You can turn it off in system settings.
• Speech recognition for videos may use Apple’s online services. The system will request speech recognition permission.

These services also process requests under their own privacy policies. See Apple’s privacy policy and the policies of the content platforms you use.

Screenshot recognition and AI content analysis

Dotway uses DeepSeek to recognize screenshots, analyze saved content, extract places and tags, and organize recipes. These AI capabilities work automatically as part of the relevant features, without a separate enablement step. Relevant screenshots, saved titles, text, tags and text recognized from media may be sent automatically to DeepSeek through the Dotway service during imports or background analysis, and results may be saved automatically. Place verification may also connect to Apple Maps.

On Mac, iPhone and iPad, Dotway calls DeepSeek through a service hosted by Dotway on Cloudflare, without requiring you to configure a model or API key. On iPhone and iPad, AI screenshot recognition sends screenshots to DeepSeek through that service. This is separate from sending search keywords to a content platform: not uploading the original screenshot to the search platform does not mean the screenshot is processed only on your device.

On iPhone and iPad, Apple App Attest verifies the app; the service processes attestation identifiers, public keys, temporary sessions and request counts. On Mac, a random installation credential stored in the local Keychain and temporary sessions control access. The service also uses a daily-rotating hash of the network address to limit usage, without logging the original network address. The Dotway relay does not store or log screenshots, prompts or model responses. Operational logs contain request identifiers, status, duration and usage. Model API keys are stored on the server.

The updated Mac app does not use legacy personal API keys or relay settings. Old credentials may remain in the local Keychain and do not sync with your library. Earlier app versions may process data differently; please update your app.

External services process received data under their applicable terms and privacy policies. See DeepSeek’s privacy policy and Cloudflare’s privacy policy. Requests already sent cannot be withdrawn. Deleting a local saved item does not automatically delete data already processed by external services. Contact the developer for help or details about the scope of processing.

Website analytics

This website uses Vercel Web Analytics to aggregate page views, referrers, approximate regions, browsers and device types. We remove query parameters and fragments from reported page URLs and do not send saved content or sign-in accounts. The service does not use third-party cookies. Network requests provide Vercel with necessary network information such as your IP address. See Vercel’s analytics privacy information.

App usage analytics

App versions with Firebase Analytics send Google app launches, session and usage information, app version, device and system information, and an SDK-generated app instance identifier. This helps us understand active use and improve the product. Network requests also provide necessary network information such as your IP address, which the service may use to produce approximate regional statistics.

Screen views and time spent in the foreground, counts and results of searches and imports, and widget, share extension and Agent actions are first stored locally and reported when the main app runs. Only fixed screen and action types are recorded, not custom tag names, search terms, tool arguments or returned content. The queue retains events for up to seven days and limits the number of events.

We do not send saved content, images, original post links, search terms, precise location or your sign-in accounts to Analytics. This integration does not collect the advertising identifier (IDFA) or identifier for vendors (IDFV), and disables personalized advertising and optional Google data sharing. Analytics data may be processed outside your country or region. For details, see Google’s privacy policy.

System permissions and tools you connect

Photo library write permission is used to save images you select to your system photo library. Notification permission is used to report screenshot import results. Automatic clipboard link import on iPhone and iPad can be turned off in the app’s settings. System permissions can also be managed in device settings.

The browser extension passes content to the local app when you initiate a save. If you choose to connect Dotway’s Agent interface to other tools, those tools can access your library as requested. Connect only tools you trust and review their own data processing policies.

Retention, deletion and recovery

Data is generally retained until you choose to delete or clean it up. After you delete a saved item, the change propagates when devices are online and complete sync. Clearing a cache does not delete cloud data. Uninstalling the app does not guarantee removal of data from iCloud.

Deletion markers, recovery drafts, backups or staged media may remain to support offline sync, conflict handling and recovery. Clearing posts does not delete independent assets, canvases or web boards. Follow the app’s library management instructions to handle these separately. We cannot promise that all copies on every device and in backups disappear permanently and immediately.

To ask about deletion of a particular kind of data, email us with your platform and data type. Do not send passwords, API keys or a complete private library. We cannot directly access or clear your private iCloud database on your behalf.

Website visits and contact information

This website is hosted by Vercel. When you visit, the hosting service may process your IP address, browser information, request time and requested path to serve the website, protect it and troubleshoot issues. See Vercel’s privacy policy.

If you email the developer, we process the email address, issue description and attachments you provide to reply, troubleshoot and handle your request. Provide only what is needed to resolve the issue. You can use the same email address to request access to, correction of or deletion of your contact records.

Policy updates

When features or data processing practices change, we will update this page’s date and explanation. New third-party content processing should be explained and any required consent obtained first. You can find this policy at any time through the Privacy Policy link in iPhone / iPad settings or the website footer.