Privacy Policy / Datenschutzerklärung

Optic — Screen OCR

Last updated: September 1, 2026

1. Data Controller (Verantwortlicher)

Eduard Bruch

Kleinfeld 28c

21149 Hamburg, Deutschland

2. Overview

Optic ("the App") is a native macOS screen OCR tool that lets you capture and recognize text and QR codes from anything on your display. The App is designed with privacy as a core principle. We take the protection of your personal data seriously. This privacy policy explains what data is processed when you use the App and on what legal basis.

3. Data Collection and Processing

3.1 Local Processing Only

All screen captures and text recognition occur entirely locally on your device. Optic uses Apple Vision framework to recognize text and QR codes from screen selections. No captured content is ever transmitted to any external server. The legal basis is Art. 6(1)(b) DSGVO (performance of a contract / provision of the service).

3.2 User Preferences

The App stores your preferences and settings locally on your Mac using macOS UserDefaults. This data never leaves your device. It includes: window positions, capture history, and appearance settings.

3.3 No Network Requests

Optic makes zero network requests. The App does not connect to the internet for any purpose. There is no analytics, no telemetry, no crash reporting, no update checking, and no data transmission of any kind. The App runs in the macOS sandbox with no network entitlements.

3.4 No Analytics or Tracking

We do not use any analytics frameworks, tracking pixels, advertising identifiers, or third-party SDKs. We do not collect usage statistics, device information, or behavioral data.

3.5 Screen Captures

Optic accesses screen content only when you explicitly initiate a capture via keyboard shortcut. Captured regions are processed locally for text recognition and stored temporarily in the capture history on your device. No screen content is ever transmitted anywhere or accessed without your action.

4. Data Sharing with Third Parties

We do not share any data with third parties. There are no third-party services, SDKs, or integrations in the App.

5. Data Retention

Since no personal data is collected or transmitted, there is no data to retain on our end. Local preferences stored on your Mac persist until you uninstall the App or delete them manually.

6. Purchases

Optic is distributed through the Mac App Store. All purchases and payment processing are handled entirely by Apple. We do not have access to your payment information, Apple ID, or purchase history.

7. Your Rights (DSGVO / GDPR)

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (DSGVO), you have the following rights:

Right of Access (Art. 15 DSGVO) — You may request information about any personal data we process. Since we process none, there is nothing to disclose.
Right to Erasure (Art. 17 DSGVO) — You may request deletion of your personal data. Uninstalling the App removes all locally stored preferences.
Right to Data Portability (Art. 20 DSGVO) — Not applicable as no personal data is collected.
Right to Lodge a Complaint — You may lodge a complaint with the Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (HmbBfDI).

8. Children's Privacy

The App does not collect personal data from anyone, including children under the age of 13 (or 16 under DSGVO). The App is suitable for all ages.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available at eduardbruch.com/optic/privacy. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

10. Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy, contact us at:

Eduard Bruch

Kleinfeld 28c, 21149 Hamburg, Deutschland

support@eduardbruch.com