1. Overview
Scowld is a free, open-source iOS AI companion app. It uses bring-your-own-key provider settings for AI chat, optional cloud speech-to-text, and ElevenLabs or OpenAI text-to-speech. API keys you enter are stored in the iOS Keychain on your device. Scowld also includes an optional hands-free wake mode for starting voice input by saying the selected companion name.
This policy explains what information is processed when you use the app and website.
2. Account and App Analytics
The iOS app does not require a Scowld account. The app does not include advertising SDKs or third-party app analytics SDKs.
- We do not ask for your name, email, location, or account password in the iOS app.
- We do not sell personal data.
- We do not use advertising frameworks in the iOS app.
- The marketing website may use Vercel Analytics for aggregate website traffic measurement.
3. AI and Voice Processing
To provide the app features, Scowld may process the following directly with the providers you configure:
- Typed messages and selected conversation context.
- Voice audio sent for cloud speech-to-text when you choose a cloud STT provider.
- Hands-free wake detection audio processed on device while hands-free mode is enabled.
- Recognized speech text sent to the selected AI provider for a response.
- Assistant response text sent to ElevenLabs or OpenAI for speech generation.
- Optional camera image context when you enable camera/vision and send a message.
Scowld does not operate a hosted AI/speech proxy for app conversations in version 2.0. Hands-free wake detection is not sent to external providers before recording starts.
4. Camera Access
Scowld requests camera access for the optional vision feature. When camera context is enabled:
- Frames are captured on device and sent to the selected AI provider only when visual context is used in a message.
- Images are not saved to your photo library by Scowld.
- Camera access can be disabled from the app or iOS settings.
- When camera is disabled, Scowld does not capture camera frames.
Scowld does not use Apple's TrueDepth API or ARKit face tracking. Scowld does not collect, use, store, disclose, share, or retain face geometry, depth maps, facial blend shapes, facial expressions, biometric identifiers, or any other face data.
5. Face Data and TrueDepth API
Scowld does not use Apple's TrueDepth API. The app does not collect, use, store, disclose, share, or retain face geometry, depth maps, facial blend shapes, facial expressions, biometric identifiers, or any other face data.
- No TrueDepth information is collected by Scowld.
- No TrueDepth or face data is used by Scowld for any purpose.
- No TrueDepth or face data is stored locally by Scowld or on Scowld servers.
- No TrueDepth or face data is disclosed or shared with AI, speech, hosting, Apple, or any other third party by Scowld.
- No TrueDepth or face data is retained because Scowld does not collect it.
6. Microphone Access
Scowld requests microphone access for voice input and optional hands-free wake mode. When you record or send voice input:
- Speech audio is transcribed using native iOS speech recognition or the cloud STT provider you configure.
- The recognized text is sent to the selected AI provider as part of the conversation.
- When hands-free mode is enabled, Scowld may keep the microphone active while the app is open and idle to listen on device for Bella or your saved custom companion name.
- After the wake name is detected, Scowld starts normal voice recording; that command audio may be sent for transcription.
- The microphone is not needed for typed messages.
- Hands-free mode can be turned off in the composer, and microphone permission can be revoked from iOS settings.
7. Third-Party Providers
Scowld can integrate with third-party providers you configure. These providers may process data needed to provide app features:
- AI providers, including Gemini, OpenAI, Claude, Ollama, Groq, OpenRouter, xAI, Together AI, Hugging Face, Venice AI, and Moonshot AI.
- Speech-to-text providers, including native iOS speech, OpenAI Whisper, Groq Whisper, Deepgram, AssemblyAI, and Google Cloud Speech-to-Text.
- ElevenLabs and OpenAI for text-to-speech.
- Apple for iOS platform services such as Keychain, speech recognition, camera, microphone, and app distribution.
- Vercel for website deployment.
These third-party services have their own privacy policies and terms. You are responsible for the provider accounts and API keys you configure.
8. Provider API Keys
Scowld lets you enter your own provider API keys. Provider keys are stored in the iOS Keychain on your device and are not included in the App Store binary.
- Provider keys are not stored in UserDefaults or bundled files.
- Provider keys are not committed to the source repository.
- Delete the app or remove keys from Settings to stop using saved keys.
9. Local Device Storage
Scowld stores app data locally on your device using Apple's local storage frameworks. This may include:
- Past chat messages and assistant replies.
- The selected active chat.
- Character settings such as avatar, custom name, and system prompt.
- Voice, language, caption, and hands-free wake preferences.
- Provider choices, model choices, and local Keychain references.
Deleting the app removes local app data from the device, subject to normal iOS behavior and backups.
10. Voice Samples
Voice sample playback in Settings uses bundled local preview audio files included with the app. Playing a bundled sample does not call ElevenLabs.
11. Children's Privacy
Scowld is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be reflected on this page with an updated date.