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THE DETAILS

Privacy Policy

Effective date: October 20, 2026

Nous is provided by Long Wang, based at Hangzhou, China (“we,” “us,” or “our”).

This policy explains how information is handled by the Nous macOS application, the optional local MCP connector (nous-mcp) when included in your build, and our website at https://www.mindnous.me.

At a glance

Mac App Store edition

The Nous edition distributed through the Mac App Store does not include the local MCP connector (nous-mcp). Sections of this policy that describe MCP and AI connector behavior apply only to builds that ship that component. GitHub sync and other features described here still apply where available in your edition.

1. Information stored on your Mac

Nous stores the information needed to provide its writing features locally, including:

By default, notes and related files are stored under ~/Library/Application Support/Nous/ (or the app’s sandbox container when distributed through the Mac App Store).

GitHub credentials are stored separately under NousCredentials/. AI authorizations and change records are stored under NousAI/ when the MCP connector is present.

These files are not uploaded to a Nous-operated content server. They may be copied by backup software or other services you configure on your Mac.

2. GitHub sync

When you enable GitHub sync, Nous sends note content, metadata, and attachments directly to the GitHub repository you select, and downloads changes from that repository.

Files in the attachments directory may be synchronized even when they are no longer referenced by a note.

Your access token is sent to GitHub to authenticate requests. The current application stores it in a local file with access restricted to your macOS user account. It is kept outside the note library and excluded from Nous note synchronization. Nous does not add application-level encryption to this credential file.

GitHub receives the content and technical information needed to handle those requests. Its processing is governed by GitHub’s privacy statement and your account and repository settings.

A public repository may expose synchronized content to anyone. Use a private repository if you do not intend to publish your notes.

Disconnecting sync removes the current connection configuration and saved credential. It does not remove content from GitHub, local sync caches, backups, or repository history.

3. AI connections

When your build includes it, Nous provides a local MCP connector (nous-mcp) that compatible applications can launch on your Mac. It does not operate as a public or remote MCP service. The Mac App Store edition does not include this connector.

You create an authorization and choose read-only or read-and-write access. Through that connection, a client can search and read saved note text. It cannot read unsaved editor text through this interface.

With write access, a client can save new notes, update existing notes, and supply supported images for import. These changes are saved directly.

The connector does not provide an attachment-download tool. Note text can nevertheless contain attachment references, URLs, and any personal information you have written.

Authorization is based on a local configuration. Nous does not verify that a client is actually operated by a particular AI provider. Other processes running under your macOS account that can access the connection credentials may also be able to use them.

The AI client may send retrieved content to a remote service. That service’s retention, training, and other processing practices are governed by its own policies. Nous does not control those practices.

You can revoke an authorization in Nous. Revocation blocks subsequent requests through that authorization, but does not erase information already obtained by a client or service.

4. AI change history

When the MCP connector is included, Nous keeps local records of changes made through it. These may include:

This history supports review, conflict handling, and restoration. It is stored separately from the note library and is not included in GitHub note synchronization.

The current application does not automatically expire these records. Revoking a connection or deleting a note does not automatically delete its history.

5. Clipboard, images, and links

Nous reads clipboard content when you use paste features. Images you paste or import are stored as local attachments.

The editor does not automatically download images referenced by web URLs. Clicking an external link opens it through your browser, where the destination’s privacy practices apply.

Nous does not include a background clipboard-monitoring feature.

6. Information you send us

If you contact us, we receive the information you choose to provide, such as your email address, message, and any screenshots or diagnostic files you attach.

We use it to respond, investigate problems, and maintain relevant support records. Please avoid sending passwords, access tokens, or private notes unless necessary.

We retain correspondence only as long as reasonably needed to address the request, manage related follow-up, resolve disputes, or meet legal obligations. We do not receive your local note library merely because you contact support.

7. Website and downloads

Our website is a static site hosted on Vercel. Its pages do not include analytics or advertising scripts, forms, or externally hosted fonts. Fonts use the visitor’s system font stack, and images and stylesheets are served with the website.

The website’s own code does not set cookies. This statement does not cover authentication cookies or other technical processing performed by the hosting platform.

Vercel may process technical request information (such as IP address, user agent, and request timing) to deliver and secure the website. Retention and subprocessors are described in Vercel’s privacy policy.

Downloads hosted on GitHub, the Mac App Store, or another distribution platform are also subject to that platform’s privacy policy.

8. Sharing and international processing

Information processed through GitHub, an AI provider, your chosen backup service, or a download platform may be handled in countries other than your own. Those services explain their processing locations and safeguards in their respective policies.

For information we receive directly, such as support correspondence, we use service providers only as needed to operate the website and respond to requests. These providers include Vercel and Google (Gmail).

We do not sell personal information we receive, or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We may disclose information where legally required or necessary to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

Where personal information is processed across borders, we rely on appropriate safeguards offered by our providers and applicable law.

9. Security

Nous uses local access restrictions and file-handling protections to reduce unauthorized access and accidental overwrites.

Local storage is not a guarantee of encryption or complete security. Access to your Mac, other software running under your account, and your backup configuration can affect who can access your files.

Protect your device and credentials, and keep independent backups of important writing.

10. Retention and deletion

Your local files remain until removed by you or by the application’s relevant file-management features. Deleted notes may remain recoverable in Trash. Attachments may remain after the notes that referenced them are deleted.

Other copies may remain in AI change history, sync caches, GitHub history, and backups. Removing the application alone may leave its data directories in place.

To remove information held by a connected provider, use that provider’s controls or contact it directly. We cannot delete copies held independently by services you choose.

11. Your rights

You can access and edit your local notes, copy them to another location, disconnect GitHub, and revoke AI access where your build includes the MCP connector.

Depending on applicable law, you may also have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or transfer personal information we hold, and to object to certain processing. Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw it. You may also complain to your local data-protection authority.

For information we process directly, we rely on the legal grounds applicable to the activity, such as responding to your requests, our legitimate interests in maintaining security and resolving support issues, compliance with law, or consent where required.

Contact wldouglas2012@gmail.com to exercise applicable rights. We may request proportionate information to verify your request. Local files and copies held independently by third-party services must generally be managed through the relevant device or service.

12. Children

Nous is a general-purpose writing tool and is not directed to children. We do not knowingly solicit children’s personal information through our website or support channels.

If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, contact wldouglas2012@gmail.com so we can assess and address it as required by applicable law.

13. Changes

We will update this policy when our information-handling practices change and publish a new effective date. We will provide additional notice or obtain consent where required by law.

14. Contact

Long Wang
Hangzhou, China
wldouglas2012@gmail.com