Privacy Policy
Last updated: June 2025
The Simple Truth About Your Privacy
We can’t see your data. We will never share or sell your data. Here’s why:
Basic Memory is designed to be completely local-first. Your knowledge, notes, and conversations stay on your device. We’ve built it this way on purpose because we believe your data belongs to you.
What Basic Memory Does (Locally)
Basic Memory software runs entirely on your machine and:
- Stores your data locally - Everything stays in files on your device
- Creates a local knowledge graph - From your markdown files, locally
- Connects with AI assistants - Direct connection from your machine
- Never sends your content to us - We literally can’t see it
What This Website Collects
This marketing website (basicmemory.com) may collect minimal analytics to help us improve:
What We Might See
- Basic website analytics - Page views, general location (country), device type
- No personal identification - We don’t track who you are specifically
- No knowledge content - Your notes and data never touch our servers
How We Use This Information
- Understand which pages are helpful
- Improve website performance
- Make better documentation
What We Use
- Simple analytics tools that respect privacy
- No social media tracking pixels
- No invasive behavioral tracking
What We Never Collect
- Your knowledge base content - Stays on your device
- Your AI conversations - Handled locally or directly with AI providers
- Your personal files - Never leave your machine
- Email addresses - Unless you specifically contact us
- Account information - No accounts required
Cloud Features (Future)
If we introduce optional cloud sync features:
- End-to-end encryption - We won’t be able to read your data
- You control the keys - We can’t decrypt your information
- Always optional - Keep using locally if you prefer
- Easy export - Your data in standard formats, always
How We Protect Privacy
By Design
- Local-first architecture - Data doesn’t leave your device
- Open source - You can verify our privacy claims
- Standard file formats - No proprietary lock-in
- No tracking by default - Minimal website analytics only
Your Choices
- Use Basic Memory offline - No internet required for core features
- Block website analytics - Use ad blockers if you prefer
- Control your data - It’s in files you own and control
Third-Party Services
AI Assistants
When you connect Basic Memory to AI assistants (Claude, etc.):
- Direct connection - From your machine to theirs
- Follow their privacy policies - We’re not involved in that data flow
- You control the connection - Disconnect anytime
This Website
- Hosting providers - May see basic server logs
- Analytics services - May see anonymized usage data
- No social media widgets - That could track you
Your Rights
Since we don’t collect personal data about you:
- Your data is already yours - It’s on your device
- Delete anytime - Just delete the files locally
- Export anytime - They’re standard markdown files
- No accounts to close - Nothing to delete from our side
Children’s Privacy
Basic Memory doesn’t collect personal information from anyone, including children. Since it works locally, parents have full control over their children’s data.
International Users
Your data stays on your device regardless of where you’re located. This website may be accessed globally, but we don’t collect personal information to transfer across borders.
Changes to This Policy
We’ll update this policy if our practices change. Check the date above for the latest version. Major changes will be noted prominently.
Contact Us
Questions about privacy? We’re happy to help:
Email: privacy@basicmachines.co
GitHub Issues: https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory/issues
Our Commitment
At Basic Machines, we believe:
- Your data belongs to you - Not to us or big tech companies
- Privacy by design - Not privacy by policy
- Local-first tools - Give you control over your information
- Transparency - You can verify our claims through open source code
Privacy isn’t a feature to us—it’s a fundamental principle.