Privacy Policy

Last updated, effective: October 12, 2025

Our Privacy Commitment

At Basic Memory, we believe your data belongs to you. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data.

What Basic Memory Is

Basic Memory offers two ways to use our service:

• Open-source software that runs locally on your machine
• Basic Memory Cloud - a hosted service for syncing across devices

Information We Collect

For Basic Memory Cloud Users

When you use Basic Memory Cloud, we collect:

Account Information

• Email address (for authentication and communication)
• Name (optional, for account management)
• Authentication credentials (managed through WorkOS)
• Subscription and billing information (processed by Polar.sh)

Your Knowledge Data

• Notes and knowledge base content you create
• File attachments and metadata
• Knowledge graph connections
• Usage patterns for service operation

Technical Information

• Device information (browser, OS)
• IP address and general location
• Log data (access times, features used)
• API usage and performance metrics

For Website Visitors

This website (basicmemory.com) collects minimal analytics:

• Page views and navigation patterns
• General location (country/region)
• Device and browser type
• Referral sources

For Open Source Software Users

When you use Basic Memory software locally:

• No data collection - Everything stays on your device
• No tracking - We don’t see your usage
• No accounts required - Use it completely offline

How We Use Your Information

To Provide the Service

• Store and sync your knowledge base across devices
• Process your requests and commands
• Enable integrations with AI assistants
• Provide customer support

To Improve Our Service

• Analyze usage patterns to improve features
• Debug technical issues
• Optimize performance
• Develop new capabilities

To Communicate With You

• Send service updates and notifications
• Respond to support requests
• Provide important account information
• Share product updates (you can opt out)

For Legal and Security

• Comply with legal obligations
• Prevent fraud and abuse
• Protect user security
• Enforce our Terms of Service

How We Protect Your Data

Cloud Data Security

• Data encryption - Your data is encrypted at rest and in transit
• Your private cloud - Each customer gets an isolated instance
• Secure infrastructure - Industry-standard security practices
• Regular backups - Automatic backups for data protection
• Access controls - Strict internal access limitations

What We DON’T Do

• We don’t sell your data - Never have, never will
• We don’t share with advertisers - Your data isn’t for marketing
• We don’t train AI models - Your content stays private
• We don’t read your data - Except when necessary for support requests you initiate

Data Retention

Active Accounts

• Data retained as long as your account is active
• You can delete specific content anytime

After Cancellation

• Data retained for 30 days (in case you change your mind)
• Automatically deleted after 30 days
• Request immediate deletion by contacting us

Backups

• May persist in backups for up to 90 days
• Securely deleted from backups on our regular schedule

Third-Party Services

Authentication (WorkOS)

• Handles user authentication securely
• Subject to their privacy policy
• We don’t store your passwords

Payments (Polar.sh)

• Processes subscription payments
• We don’t store your payment card details
• Subject to their privacy policy

AI Assistants

When you connect to AI services (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini):

• Direct connection - Your data goes to them for processing
• Their policies apply - Review their privacy policies
• You control the connection - Disconnect anytime

Analytics

• Minimal website analytics for improvement
• Anonymized and aggregated data only
• No cross-site tracking

Your Rights and Choices

Access Your Data

• Download your entire knowledge base anytime
• Export in standard Markdown format
• Request a copy of your account data

Modify Your Data

• Edit or delete content through the service
• Update your account information
• Manage your subscription

Delete Your Data

• Delete your account and all data
• Request immediate data deletion
• Data removed within 30 days (backups within 90 days)

Opt Out

• Unsubscribe from marketing emails
• Disable analytics cookies
• Close your account

Data Portability

• Export your data in standard formats
• Take it to another service
• No lock-in or proprietary formats

International Data Transfers

Basic Memory Cloud servers are located in the United States. By using our service, you consent to your data being processed in the US. We take appropriate measures to protect your data regardless of where it’s processed.

Children’s Privacy

Basic Memory Cloud is not directed at children under 18. We don’t knowingly collect information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we’ll delete it.

For the open-source software: Parents have full control since data stays local.

California Privacy Rights

California residents have additional rights under CCPA:

• Right to know - What personal information we collect
• Right to delete - Request deletion of your data
• Right to opt-out - Of data sales (we don’t sell data)
• Right to non-discrimination - Same service regardless of privacy choices

Contact us to exercise these rights.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. Changes will be:

• Posted on this page
• Noted in the “Last updated” date
• Communicated via email for material changes
• Effective 30 days after posting

Beta Program Privacy

If you’re in our beta program:

• Increased data collection - For debugging and improvement
• Feedback usage - Your feedback helps shape the product
• Early access - You get new features first
• Same protections - All privacy commitments still apply

Contact Us

Questions or concerns about privacy?

Privacy Inquiries: support+legal@basicmemory.com

General Support: support@basicmemory.com

GitHub: https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory

Address: Basic Memory LLC, Austin, Texas

Our Philosophy

At Basic Memory, we believe:

• Your data belongs to you - Not to us or big tech companies
• Privacy by design - Built into our architecture
• Transparency - Clear policies and open source code
• User control - You decide what happens with your data
• Minimal collection - We only collect what’s necessary

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Privacy isn’t a feature to us—it’s a fundamental principle.