Understanding Privacy Mode and Private Cloud Sync

Last updated: July 9, 2026

Available on: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

Important: The new two-control experience is rolling out gradually. Until it reaches your account, Settings → Data & Privacy will show the legacy single Privacy Mode toggle.

Wispr Flow now uses two separate controls for your data. Privacy Mode decides whether your dictation data is used to train AI models, and Private Cloud Sync decides whether your transcription data is stored on Wispr's servers. This article explains what each control does and how they work together.

What it is

Model training and server-side storage are governed by two independent controls. This lets you keep your data out of model training without giving up cross-device features.

Note: Turning Privacy Mode on and Private Cloud Sync off gives you the same end-to-end protection as the original single Privacy Mode setting: no training and no server-side storage of your dictation data.

How it works in Flow

Overview

Privacy Mode and Private Cloud Sync are independent toggles in Settings → Data & Privacy. You can set either one on or off without affecting the other.

Privacy Mode

Privacy Mode controls whether your dictation data (audio, transcripts, and edits) is used to train or improve AI models.

Privacy Mode ON: Your dictation data is never used to train or improve models, by Wispr or any third party.
Privacy Mode OFF (Share Data): Your dictation data may be used to improve Wispr Flow's features and models, subject to our Privacy Policy.

Regardless of your Privacy Mode setting, Wispr maintains zero data retention agreements with all third-party AI providers that process dictation data, so your data is never stored or used for training by them. Transcription always runs in the cloud.

Private Cloud Sync

Private Cloud Sync controls whether certain transcription and notes data is stored on Wispr's servers. Server-side storage powers cross-device sync for Wispr Scratchpad and future features like personalized speech models and cross-device dictation history.

Private Cloud Sync ON: Data is stored on Wispr's servers. You get cross-device sync for Wispr Scratchpad and access to features that require server-side storage.
Private Cloud Sync OFF: Scratchpad sync, meeting sharing, and todos sync (when those features ship) are disabled. Dictation still works, and raw dictation transcripts may still be uploaded to power core dictation functionality.

How the controls combine

Privacy Mode	Private Cloud Sync	What this means
OFF	ON	Data may be used for training models and is stored on Wispr's servers. All features available.
ON	ON	No training, but data is stored on Wispr's servers so feature-dependent functionality (Scratchpad sync and future features) still works.
ON	OFF	Enforces Zero Data Retention — identical to the original Privacy Mode behavior. No training and no server-side storage. Scratchpad sync, meeting sharing, and todos sync are unavailable.
OFF	OFF	No server-side storage of Private Cloud Sync–gated data, but data may still be used for training when transmitted in real time.

What syncs regardless of Private Cloud Sync

Some data syncs across your devices independently of Private Cloud Sync:

Dictionary entries always sync.
Snippets always sync.
Subscription and account settings always sync.

These features depend on Private Cloud Sync being on:

Cross-device sync for Wispr Scratchpad
Meeting sharing
Meeting recording (Notetaker)
Todos sync (when shipped)

Defaults and existing users

New users: Private Cloud Sync is on by default so the full feature set is available out of the box. You can turn it off at any time.
Existing users who had Privacy Mode on: Your account remains protected. Privacy Mode stays on and Private Cloud Sync is off, matching your original setting.
Existing users who had Privacy Mode off: Private Cloud Sync is on by default and Privacy Mode remains off. You can change either toggle at any time.

Enterprise and HIPAA

Warning: Signing a HIPAA BAA is irreversible. It permanently locks Privacy Mode on and Private Cloud Sync off for your account.

Enterprise Zero Data Retention (ZDR): Enterprise organizations can enable Zero Data Retention. When enabled, Privacy Mode is forced on and Private Cloud Sync is forced off for all members. To make this lock irreversible at the org level so members cannot override it, contact Wispr support.
HIPAA BAA: Signing a Business Associate Agreement — whether as an individual or through your organization — permanently locks Privacy Mode on and Private Cloud Sync off. This cannot be undone.
Local data storage (desktop): Controlled separately under Settings → Data & Privacy. Choose Store data locally, Auto-delete every 24 hours, or Never store data locally. This setting governs your device only — it does not affect Private Cloud Sync.

How to change your settings

Mac and Windows

To update your settings on desktop:

Open Wispr Flow.
Go to Settings → Data & Privacy.
Select your preferred Privacy Mode setting (Privacy Mode or Share Data), then toggle Private Cloud Sync on or off.

The Data & Privacy page on desktop also contains additional controls, including Context Awareness, Notes sharing defaults, and a Hard refresh notes button. The Hard refresh notes button is disabled when Private Cloud Sync is off.

iOS

To update your settings on iOS:

Open the Wispr Flow app.
Tap Settings → Data & Privacy.
Adjust Privacy Mode and Private Cloud Sync.

When turning Private Cloud Sync off, you'll see a confirmation dialog. Turning it back on applies immediately.

Android

To update your settings on Android:

Open the Wispr Flow app.
Tap Settings, then scroll to Data & Privacy.
Adjust Privacy Mode and Private Cloud Sync.

When turning Private Cloud Sync off, you'll see a confirmation dialog. Turning it back on applies immediately.

FAQs

I had Privacy Mode on before — is my data still protected?

Yes. Your account was migrated with Privacy Mode on and Private Cloud Sync off, which together provide the same protection as the original Privacy Mode setting: no training and no server-side storage of your dictation data.

Why did Wispr split Privacy Mode into two controls?

To support new features that require cross-app context and cross-device syncing, we separated training and storage into independent controls. This lets you maintain privacy while still accessing features that depend on server-side storage.

If I turn Private Cloud Sync off, what stops working?

Dictation continues to work normally. Cross-device sync for Scratchpad notes, meeting sharing, meeting recording (Notetaker), and todos sync will stop. Dictionary, snippets, subscription, and account settings keep syncing.

I tried to start a meeting recording and saw a message in the Flow Bar — what does it mean?

Meeting recording (Notetaker) requires Private Cloud Sync to be enabled. If Private Cloud Sync is off or blocked, the Flow Bar will show a notification explaining why and offering next steps. What you see depends on your situation:

You turned Private Cloud Sync off yourself: You'll see a "Turn on Private Cloud Sync" option to re-enable it directly.
Your admin has disabled Private Cloud Sync for your team: You'll see a "Manage Private Cloud Sync" option. Contact your admin to request access.
You or your organization has a HIPAA BAA in effect: You'll see options to manage your BAA or view available alternatives.
Your organization's privacy settings block Notetaker: You'll see a "Request access" option. After requesting, you'll receive a confirmation that access was requested.

All notifications also include a link to the Wispr Privacy Policy.

Does Private Cloud Sync send my data to third parties for training?

No. Private Cloud Sync only controls server-side storage. Training is governed by Privacy Mode. If Privacy Mode is on, your data is never used for training by Wispr or any third party — even if Private Cloud Sync is on.

Is HIPAA still supported under this model?

Yes. Signing a HIPAA BAA — whether individually or through your organization — locks Privacy Mode on and Private Cloud Sync off. The end state is the same as before: no training and no server-side retention of dictation data.

Can my organization enforce Private Cloud Sync settings?

Yes. When an enterprise admin enforces Zero Data Retention, Privacy Mode is locked on and Private Cloud Sync is locked off for all members. Locked settings show an indicator (a tooltip on desktop, a subtitle on mobile) explaining that they are managed by your organization.

Why isn't Private Cloud Sync supported with a HIPAA BAA?

We're working to enable this as soon as possible. We're currently iterating on features that involve Private Cloud Sync and don't want beta features conflicting with BAA provisions. The main feature you lose access to today is cross-device sync for Scratchpad notes. If this prevents you from using Wispr Flow, we'll gladly provide a refund. BAA signing is irreversible — if you have questions about your BAA, please contact support.

Limitations and notes

Privacy Mode and Private Cloud Sync are independent settings. Either one can be on or off without affecting the other.
Dictionary entries and snippets always sync across devices, regardless of Private Cloud Sync.
Local data storage on desktop is a separate control from Private Cloud Sync. Local storage governs your device; Private Cloud Sync governs Wispr's servers.
Meeting recording (Notetaker) requires Private Cloud Sync to be enabled. If Private Cloud Sync is off or blocked, the Flow Bar will display a notification explaining why and what you can do next.
For full details on data handling, visit our Data Controls page or the Wispr Trust Center.

Still need help?

Reach out to our support team if:

You're unsure which combination of settings is right for your workflow.
You need help understanding how Private Cloud Sync interacts with your enterprise or HIPAA policy.
A toggle is locked and you don't know why.
The Flow Bar showed a message about meeting recording and you're not sure what to do next.

In the Flow desktop app, click Help, then Talk to support. Include your platform, plan type, and a description of what you're trying to achieve.