PasteShelf Privacy Policy
Effective Date: February 2026 Last Updated: February 4, 2026
Introduction
Section titled “Introduction”PasteShelf (“we”, “our”, or “the app”) is a privacy-first clipboard manager for macOS. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information.
Our Core Principle: Your clipboard data belongs to you. We designed PasteShelf to keep your data local and private by default.
Summary
Section titled “Summary”| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Data Storage | Local only (optional iCloud sync) |
| Data Collection | None |
| Analytics | None |
| Third-party Services | Apple iCloud (optional, for sync) |
| Encryption | At rest + in transit (when sync enabled) |
Data We Collect
Section titled “Data We Collect”We collect NO data. Zero. None.
- No analytics or telemetry
- No crash reports sent to us
- No usage statistics
- No personal information
- No clipboard content transmitted anywhere
iCloud Sync (Optional)
Section titled “iCloud Sync (Optional)”If you enable iCloud sync, the following applies:
- Your encrypted clipboard data syncs through Apple’s iCloud
- Data is end-to-end encrypted before leaving your device
- We cannot read your synced data
- Apple’s privacy policy applies to iCloud services
Data Stored on Your Device
Section titled “Data Stored on Your Device”What is Stored
Section titled “What is Stored”PasteShelf stores the following data locally on your Mac:
| Data Type | Purpose | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Clipboard History | Core functionality | ~/Library/Application Support/PasteShelf/ |
| Settings/Preferences | App configuration | ~/Library/Preferences/com.pasteshelf.PasteShelf.plist |
| Image Thumbnails | Preview display | ~/Library/Application Support/PasteShelf/ |
| Search Index | Fast search | ~/Library/Application Support/PasteShelf/ |
How Long Data is Stored
Section titled “How Long Data is Stored”- History Limit: You control how many items are stored (100/500/1000/unlimited)
- Auto-cleanup: You can configure automatic deletion after X days
- Manual Deletion: You can delete individual items or clear all history anytime
Data Security
Section titled “Data Security”- Data stored locally, protected by macOS file permissions
- Only accessible to your user account
- Optional database encryption using macOS Keychain
- iCloud data (if sync enabled) encrypted with end-to-end encryption
Sensitive Data Handling
Section titled “Sensitive Data Handling”Automatic Detection
Section titled “Automatic Detection”PasteShelf automatically detects potentially sensitive content:
- Passwords (from password managers)
- Credit card numbers
- API keys and tokens
- Social Security Numbers
Default Exclusions
Section titled “Default Exclusions”By default, PasteShelf does NOT capture content from:
- 1Password
- Bitwarden
- LastPass
- Dashlane
- KeePassXC
- Other password managers
- Private browsing windows (Safari, Chrome, Firefox)
You can customize these exclusions in Settings.
Third-Party Services
Section titled “Third-Party Services”PasteShelf has no third-party service integrations by default. If you enable iCloud sync:
| Service | Purpose | Data Shared |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iCloud | Optional sync | Encrypted clipboard data |
We do NOT use:
- Analytics services (Google Analytics, Mixpanel, etc.)
- Crash reporting services (Crashlytics, Sentry, etc.)
- Advertising networks
- Data brokers
Your Rights
Section titled “Your Rights”Access Your Data
Section titled “Access Your Data”All your data is stored locally. You can:
- View it in the app at any time
- Access the raw database at
~/Library/Application Support/PasteShelf/
Export Your Data
Section titled “Export Your Data”PasteShelf includes data export functionality.
Delete Your Data
Section titled “Delete Your Data”You can delete your data anytime:
- Individual items: Select and delete in the app
- All history: Settings → Privacy → Clear History
- Complete removal: Delete
~/Library/Application Support/PasteShelf/
Control Your Data
Section titled “Control Your Data”You control:
- What apps are excluded from capture
- How long history is kept
- Whether to use iCloud sync
- Whether to enable encryption
Children’s Privacy
Section titled “Children’s Privacy”PasteShelf is not intended for use by children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children.
International Users
Section titled “International Users”Your data stays on your device, or within Apple’s iCloud infrastructure if you enable sync. We do not transfer data internationally.
Changes to This Policy
Section titled “Changes to This Policy”We will post any privacy policy changes on this page. Significant changes will be communicated through:
- In-app notification
- Release notes
- Our website
Enterprise Features
Section titled “Enterprise Features”PasteShelf includes enterprise features that may involve additional data processing when enabled:
- SSO authentication (through your identity provider)
- Audit logging (stored per your administrator’s configuration)
- Centralized management (if enabled by your organization)
Contact your IT administrator for your organization’s specific privacy policies.
Open Source
Section titled “Open Source”PasteShelf is free and open source (AGPL-3.0). You can:
- Audit our code on GitHub
- Verify our privacy claims
- Build the app yourself
Repository: github.com/pasteshelf/pasteshelf
Contact Us
Section titled “Contact Us”For privacy-related questions:
- Email: [email protected]
- GitHub: github.com/pasteshelf/pasteshelf/issues
Summary
Section titled “Summary”- 100% local by default, zero data collection
- Optional iCloud sync with end-to-end encryption
- No analytics, no telemetry, no ads
- You control your data
- Open source (AGPL-3.0) for full transparency
PasteShelf - Privacy-First Clipboard Manager for macOS