Terms of service.
The plain-English version: use the app responsibly, your data is yours, and we don’t make any guarantees we can’t keep. Here’s the long version.
What you actually need to know.
- Use the app, agree to the terms. Downloading or installing ThoughtRecorder means you accept what’s on this page.
- Your content is yours. Recordings, notes, transcripts — we don’t claim any ownership and we don’t store them on our servers. See the Privacy Policy for the details.
- Optional cloud features are opt-in and routed under your own accounts. If you turn on iCloud, Google Drive, OpenAI Whisper, or AssemblyAI, those services apply their own terms — we’re not in the middle.
- You’re responsible for what you record — including getting consent where local law requires it.
- The app is provided as-is. We work hard to make it reliable, but please don’t treat it as the only copy of anything irreplaceable.
What this is, and what you’re agreeing to.
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01
Agreement
By downloading, installing, or using ThoughtRecorder (the “app”), you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use the app.
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02
What ThoughtRecorder is
ThoughtRecorder is a voice memo and notes app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, developed by GonzoDocs. The app records audio, transcribes recordings, lets you organize notes, and offers optional backup and sharing features. All processing happens locally on your device unless you explicitly enable a feature that uses an external service (see section 5).
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03
License
We grant you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use ThoughtRecorder on devices you own or control, subject to these Terms and Apple’s standard App Store license terms.
You own what you create. Cloud features are your call.
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04
Your data
You own everything you create in the app — your recordings, notes, transcripts, and the data they contain. We do not claim any ownership interest in your content. We do not collect, transmit, or store your content on our servers; the app has no backend operated by us. See the Privacy Policy for full details on what stays on your device versus what travels through optional cloud features.
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05
Optional cloud features
ThoughtRecorder offers optional features that send your data to third-party services. These are off by default and only activate when you explicitly opt in:
- iCloud Drive backup — uses your personal iCloud account (Apple)
- Google Drive backup — uses your personal Google Drive account (Google)
- OpenAI Whisper transcription — uses your OpenAI account and API key
- AssemblyAI transcription — uses your AssemblyAI account and API key
- Sharing — uses Apple’s CloudKit (public container)
When you use these features, your data travels directly between your device and the relevant third-party service. Your use of those services is governed by their respective terms and privacy policies, which you accept by enabling each feature. GonzoDocs is not responsible for the practices, availability, or accuracy of third-party services.
Use the app well — and lawfully.
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06
Your responsibilities
You agree to use ThoughtRecorder in compliance with applicable laws and these Terms. You are solely responsible for:
- The content of recordings, notes, and other data you create
- Obtaining consent from any other person you record, where required by local law
- Securing your device, your iCloud account, and any third-party accounts you connect to the app
- Backing up your data — while ThoughtRecorder offers optional backup features, you remain responsible for ensuring your data is preserved
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07
Acceptable use
You agree not to use ThoughtRecorder to record people without their knowledge or consent where that would be unlawful, to harass or harm others, to violate intellectual property rights, or for any purpose prohibited by applicable law.
08 · The app is provided “as is.”
ThoughtRecorder is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not guarantee that the app will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that recordings, transcripts, or backups will always be accurate or recoverable. While we work to make the app reliable, you should not rely on it as the sole source of important data.
Limits of what we’re on the hook for.
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09
Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, GonzoDocs and its developers are not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the app, including loss of data, lost profits, or service interruptions. Our total liability for any claim arising from these Terms or the app shall not exceed the amount you paid to acquire the app (typically zero, since the app is free).
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10
Third-party intellectual property
ThoughtRecorder uses open-source machine learning models (WhisperKit, FluidAudio) for its on-device Enhanced transcription feature. These remain the property of their respective copyright holders and are used under their respective open-source licenses. No transfer of ownership is implied.
How this ends, and where it’s settled.
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11
Termination
You may stop using ThoughtRecorder at any time by deleting the app. We may discontinue the app, or any feature within it, at our discretion. We will give reasonable advance notice through the App Store or the app itself if we plan to remove a feature that affects existing users.
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Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page and note the change in the app release notes. Continued use of the app after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
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Governing law
These Terms are governed by the laws of Norway, without regard to its conflict-of-laws provisions. Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of Trondheim, Norway, except where applicable consumer protection laws give you the right to bring proceedings in your country of residence.
14 · Questions? Reach out.
Reach us at [email protected].
ThoughtRecorder is developed by GonzoDocs.
Questions?
If anything here is unclear or you'd like to dig deeper into how the app works, just email.