1. Scope
This Privacy Policy applies only to HideDesk - Screen Privacy (“HideDesk”), developed and published by Massimo Yao (“Developer,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). It does not describe the practices of the Developer’s other applications.
2. Data Collection
HideDesk does not transmit personal data, screen data, usage data, diagnostics, or analytics to the Developer. We do not operate a server that receives data from HideDesk.
HideDesk does not include third-party advertising, analytics, telemetry, crash-reporting, or tracking SDKs.
3. Screen Recording Permission
HideDesk uses macOS Screen Recording permission only for the optional Recording Detection, Screen Sharing Detection, and Meeting Detection features. Permission is requested only after you enable one of these Automatic Triggers.
HideDesk uses Apple’s ScreenCaptureKit to inspect only:
- the bundle identifier of the application that owns a currently onscreen shareable window; and
- the title of that window.
This metadata is compared locally with a fixed list of supported applications and status keywords to determine whether an active recording or screen-sharing session is indicated. A meeting application running by itself does not activate HideDesk.
HideDesk does not create a screen-capture stream and does not capture, record, save, or transmit screen pixels, screenshots, video, audio, microphone data, OCR text, keystrokes, documents, or the visual contents of any window.
Manual Hide Mode and HideDesk’s other features remain available without enabling Automatic Triggers or granting Screen Recording permission.
4. Other Data Processed Locally
To provide its features, HideDesk may process the following information entirely on your device:
Settings and preferences
Feature switches, display choices, appearance options, keyboard shortcuts, automation rules, presets, trial-use count, and local purchase-entitlement state.
Protected application selections
When you select an application to protect, HideDesk reads and stores its display name, bundle identifier, and local application path. HideDesk accesses only application bundles that you explicitly select or that macOS makes available as running applications.
Application and window layout metadata
When application protection is active, HideDesk may inspect running-application identity and onscreen window layout metadata—such as process identifier, owner name, window identifier, position, size, layer, and visibility—to hide an application or place a blur overlay correctly. HideDesk does not capture the visual content of those windows.
Temporary restoration information
While Hide Mode is active, HideDesk creates a local restoration snapshot so it can return your desktop, Dock, and protected applications to their previous states. Depending on the protections you enable, this snapshot may include display identifiers, application name, bundle identifier, process identifier, executable path, previous hidden or active state, the derived trigger category, and the status of protection operations.
5. Purposes of Local Processing
HideDesk uses locally processed information only to:
- apply the privacy protections and automation options you configure;
- detect an indicated recording or screen-sharing session when you enable an Automatic Trigger;
- position application-window blur overlays;
- restore your workspace when Hide Mode ends or after an unexpected termination; and
- verify purchases and restore entitlements through Apple’s StoreKit.
The information is not used for advertising, analytics, tracking, profiling, data mining, or machine learning.
6. Storage and Retention
- Screen Recording metadata: Window titles are processed transiently and are not written to disk. Candidate application identifiers and detection state are kept in memory only while required for Automatic Detection.
- Settings: HideDesk stores its settings locally in its Application Support directory until you change or remove the relevant settings or delete HideDesk’s local Application Support data.
- Restoration snapshot: The temporary local snapshot is normally deleted after Hide Mode ends and restoration completes. If HideDesk terminates unexpectedly, the snapshot may remain locally until HideDesk restores or clears it on a later launch.
No HideDesk data is stored on Developer-operated servers or in Developer-controlled cloud storage.
7. Sharing and Disclosure
HideDesk does not send or share screen-recording metadata, locally processed application information, settings, or derived detection information with the Developer, advertisers, analytics providers, data brokers, or any other third party.
If you make an in-app purchase or restore a purchase, Apple processes the transaction through StoreKit and the App Store. Apple’s handling of purchase and account information is governed by Apple’s own privacy policy. HideDesk receives only the product and entitlement information that StoreKit makes available to the app.
8. User Control and Deletion
- You can stop Screen Recording permission processing by disabling every Automatic Trigger in HideDesk.
- You can revoke Screen Recording permission at any time in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording.
- You can remove protected applications, presets, automation rules, and other saved choices from HideDesk’s settings.
- You can delete all locally stored HideDesk data by quitting HideDesk and removing its Application Support data.
Because the Developer does not receive or hold HideDesk user data, there is no remote account or server-side user record for us to access, export, or delete.
9. Security
HideDesk runs in the macOS App Sandbox and stores its local files inside the user’s Application Support area. Access to Screen Recording and user-selected application files remains subject to macOS permission controls.
10. Children’s Privacy
HideDesk is not directed to children and does not knowingly collect personal information from children or any other users.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when HideDesk’s features or legal obligations change. The updated version will be published at this location with a revised effective date.
12. Contact
For questions about this Privacy Policy or HideDesk’s privacy practices, contact:
Developer: Massimo Yao
Email: chenyao6134@gmail.com