Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 9, 2026

FocusOS is a Mac app built by Panze to help you focus. It is designed to be private by default: the record of how you spend your time is kept on your own Mac. We don't take screenshots, we don't log what you type, and we never sell your data. This policy explains, in plain language, exactly what that means.

1Who we are

FocusOS is developed and operated by Panze ("we", "us", "our"). If you have any questions about this policy or your data, you can reach us any time — see Contact at the end.

2Our core principle: local-first

Your activity history — the sessions you run, the apps and websites you spend time in, and how FocusOS categorizes them (Deep work, Admin, Meeting, Distraction) — is computed and stored locally on your device. It is not uploaded to our servers, and it never leaves your Mac unless you explicitly choose to export or share it (for example, saving an Activity card image).

3Information we collect

• Account details. When you sign in with Google, Apple, or email, we receive a basic account identifier and your email address so we can keep you signed in and associate your license with your account. Authentication is handled through Google Firebase.
• On-device activity data. Timers, focus sessions, tasks, reminders, and the app/website usage that powers your Activity tab. This stays on your device.
• Camera (only if you use it). If you enable "exercise to unlock" for eye breaks, the camera is used on-device to count repetitions in real time. No images or video are recorded, stored, or transmitted.
• Update checks. To deliver seamless updates, the app periodically checks our public releases feed and downloads updates. This involves a standard network request (which necessarily includes your IP address, as any web request does) and is handled through the Sparkle update framework and GitHub.

4What we do not collect

• No screenshots of your screen.
• No keystrokes or the content you type.
• No contents of your documents, messages, or the pages you visit — only aggregate time totals per app or site, kept on your device.
• No sale of your data to anyone, ever.

5How we use information

We use the limited information above only to: sign you in and maintain your account, deliver app updates, provide the focus, reminder, and activity features on your device, and — if you contact us — respond to your request. We do not use your data for advertising or profiling.

6Storage & security

Activity and settings are stored on your Mac. Account authentication is protected by industry-standard measures through Firebase. Because your sensitive usage data stays on-device, it benefits from the security of your own machine (such as FileVault disk encryption, if you have it enabled).

7Third-party services

FocusOS relies on a small number of reputable services strictly to function: Google Firebase for sign-in, and GitHub for hosting and delivering app updates. These providers process only what is necessary for those tasks and under their own privacy terms. We do not embed third-party advertising or analytics SDKs.

8Data sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share data only with the service providers named above, only to the extent needed to run the app, or where required by law.

9Your choices & rights

• Permissions. Camera, notifications, and accessibility permissions are optional and can be granted or revoked at any time in macOS System Settings.
• Your local data. Because activity is stored on your device, you control it directly — you can clear it from within the app.
• Your account. You can sign out at any time, or contact us to request deletion of the account information associated with your email.

10Children's privacy

FocusOS is intended for a general, working audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

11Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the app evolves. When we make material changes, we will revise the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, notify you in the app.

12Contact

Questions, requests, or concerns? Join our community on Discord — it's the best way to reach us.