Privacy Policy for Maho Notes
Last updated: 2026-05-20
Maho Notes (“the app”) is developed by K.-C. Pan as an independent project. This policy explains what data the app handles and how.
Summary
The developer does not collect, store, or transmit any personal data. The app runs entirely on your device. Any sync you enable goes to services you control (Apple iCloud, your GitHub account) — not to the developer.
What the App Stores on Your Device
- Notes — plain Markdown files in your selected vault location.
- Search indexes — a local SQLite database (
.maho/index.db) used for keyword and semantic search. Generated from your notes; never uploaded.
- Settings — preferences such as theme and sync mode.
- GitHub access token — if you choose to sign in to GitHub, the OAuth token is stored in the system Keychain.
What the App Does Not Do
- No analytics, telemetry, crash reporting, or usage tracking.
- No advertising or third-party trackers.
- No user account on a developer-controlled server.
- No data leaves your device unless you explicitly enable iCloud or GitHub sync.
Optional Third-Party Services
If you enable these features, the respective services’ own terms apply.
- Apple iCloud — notes sync to your iCloud Documents container. Governed by Apple’s Privacy Policy.
- GitHub — when you sign in with the GitHub Device Flow, the app authenticates you with GitHub and reads/writes notes in repositories you choose. Governed by GitHub’s Privacy Statement.
- Hugging Face Hub (CLI only) — embedding models are downloaded from Hugging Face the first time you build a semantic index. No identifying information is sent beyond a standard HTTP request.
In-App Purchases
The Tip Jar uses Apple’s StoreKit. Purchase processing is handled by Apple; the developer receives only the anonymized purchase confirmation Apple provides. Tipping is optional and unlocks no features.
Children’s Privacy
Maho Notes is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect data from them.
Changes to This Policy
If this policy changes, the “Last updated” date above will be revised. Material changes will be announced in the app’s release notes.
Questions or concerns: kuochuan.pan@gapp.nthu.edu.tw
— K.-C. Pan