Understanding Privacy Mode and Private Cloud Sync
Last updated: August 6, 2026
Available on: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
Wispr Flow uses two separate controls for your data. Privacy Mode decides whether your dictation data is used to train AI models. Private Cloud Sync decides whether your transcription data is stored on Wispr's servers.
Note: The two-control experience is rolling out gradually. Until it reaches your account, Settings → Data & Privacy shows the legacy single Privacy Mode toggle.
How it works in Flow
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.
At either 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.
Private Cloud Sync ON: Data is stored on Wispr's servers, enabling cross-device sync for Wispr Scratchpad and other features that require server-side storage, including personalized speech models and cross-device dictation history in the future.
Private Cloud Sync OFF: Scratchpad sync, meeting sharing, Notetaker (meeting recording), and todos sync (when those features ship) are disabled, and a cloud-off icon appears in the Notes/Scratchpad page. Dictation still works, and raw dictation transcripts may still be uploaded to power core dictation functionality.
How the controls combine
The two toggles in Settings → Data & Privacy are independent — either can be on or off without affecting the other.
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, Notetaker, 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. |
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: 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.
Notetaker and Private Cloud Sync
Notetaker requires Private Cloud Sync to securely save your notes and transcripts, and asks for your explicit consent before enabling it.
First meeting nudge: On the first meeting Wispr Flow detects, a card reads "Transcribe this meeting with Wispr?" with the buttons Another time and Yes, and the text "By selecting 'Yes' you agree to turn on Private Cloud Sync, which allows us to process and store your transcriptions. Wispr Notetaker requires this." Yes starts Notetaker and turns on Private Cloud Sync; Another time dismisses the card without affecting your active dictation or any settings.
Already enabled or policy-locked accounts: If Private Cloud Sync is already on — or locked on via an enterprise policy or BAA — the card shows benefit-focused copy with no consent language, and Yes opens Notetaker without changing any setting.
Later nudges: Subsequent meeting prompts do not repeat the consent flow. If Private Cloud Sync is still off, you'll be asked to turn it on manually in the setup steps before recording begins.
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, which forces Privacy Mode on and Private Cloud Sync off for all members. Contact Wispr support to make this lock irreversible at the org level so members cannot override it.
HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA): Signing a BAA — as an individual or through your organization — permanently locks Privacy Mode on and Private Cloud Sync off.
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 governs desktop dictation transcripts and audio only — not Notetaker meeting recordings or transcripts — and does not affect Private Cloud Sync.
How to change your settings
Mac and Windows
Open Wispr Flow.
Go to Settings → Data & Privacy.
Select your Privacy Mode setting (Privacy Mode or Share Data), then toggle Private Cloud Sync on or off.
The desktop Data & Privacy page also holds Context Awareness and, if you have note sharing enabled, a default visibility setting for newly created notes.
iOS
Open the Wispr Flow app.
Tap Settings → Data & Privacy.
Adjust Privacy Mode and Private Cloud Sync.
Turning Private Cloud Sync off shows a confirmation dialog. Turning it back on applies immediately.
Android
Open the Wispr Flow app.
Tap Settings, then scroll to Data & Privacy.
Adjust Privacy Mode and Private Cloud Sync.
Turning Private Cloud Sync off shows 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: no training and no server-side storage of your dictation data, matching the original single Privacy Mode setting.
Why did Wispr split Privacy Mode into two controls?
New features require cross-app context and cross-device syncing, so training and storage are now independent controls. You can maintain privacy while still using features that depend on server-side storage.
I saw a message that Private Cloud Sync is off or blocked — what does it mean?
The message explains why and what to do next:
You turned it off yourself: You'll see an option to turn Private Cloud Sync back on in Settings.
A HIPAA BAA is in effect: Private Cloud Sync is permanently locked off. Visit the Admin Portal for details.
Your company admin disabled it: The message directs you to the Admin Portal to request access or manage the setting.
You're a team member and company settings block sync: Use "Request access"; the button then becomes "Access requested."
Dismiss any of these messages by clicking the X, clicking outside the dialog, or pressing Escape.
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. With Privacy Mode on, your data is never used for training by Wispr or any third party, even if Private Cloud Sync is on.
Notetaker enabled Private Cloud Sync when I clicked "Yes" — is that expected?
Yes, and the card discloses it before you confirm. Turn Private Cloud Sync off again at any time in Settings → Data & Privacy; Notetaker is unavailable while it's off.
Does the Local data storage setting apply to Notetaker meetings?
No. Local data storage applies only to your desktop dictation transcript history and audio. Notetaker transcript retention controls are in Notetaker settings.
Is HIPAA still supported under this model?
Yes. Signing a HIPAA BAA individually or through your organization locks Privacy Mode on and Private Cloud Sync off — no training and no server-side retention of dictation data, matching the original behavior.
Can my organization enforce Private Cloud Sync settings?
Yes. Admins manage these controls in the Admin Portal. Locked settings show an indicator — a tooltip on desktop, a subtitle on mobile — noting they are managed by your organization.
Why isn't Private Cloud Sync supported with a HIPAA BAA?
Features involving Private Cloud Sync are still iterating, and beta features cannot conflict with BAA provisions. We're working to enable it as soon as possible. The main feature you lose today is cross-device sync for Scratchpad notes; if that prevents you from using Wispr Flow, we'll provide a refund. BAA signing is irreversible — contact support with questions about your BAA.
Limitations and notes
Meeting recording (Notetaker), meeting sharing, Scratchpad sync, and todos sync require Private Cloud Sync to be enabled.
Dictionary entries, snippets, and subscription and account settings always sync across devices, regardless of Private Cloud Sync.
The default visibility setting for newly created notes appears in Settings → Data & Privacy only if you have note sharing enabled.
For full details on data handling, visit our Data Controls page or the Wispr Trust Center.
Still need help?
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. Reach out if:
A toggle is locked and you don't know why.
You need help understanding how Private Cloud Sync interacts with your enterprise or HIPAA policy.
You saw a message about Private Cloud Sync being blocked and aren't sure what to do next.