Cortex · Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Cortex is a memory layer for Claude. It runs on your Mac, stores your memories locally, and by default makes no network calls. The core product is entirely on-device: no Cortex servers, no telemetry, no accounts required. If you choose to enable optional AI features (which run through your own Claude subscription, not Cortex), or the self-host Connector (which runs on your own Cloudflare account), those specific features make network calls — but only when you turn them on. This document explains exactly what we collect, what we don't, and what happens when you enable either of those optional paths.
Who We Are
Cortex is built by Acorn Designs, LLC, an independent studio based in the United States. "Cortex," "we," and "us" refer to the Cortex application and the operator who maintains it. Questions: [email protected].
What Information We Collect
Data that stays on your Mac (Free tier)
When you use Cortex locally, the following data is stored on your device and never leaves it:
- Memories you or Claude save: corrections, preferences, rules, skills, and session notes
- Project metadata: repository paths, file-change patterns, and impact analysis results
- Configuration: your settings, budget preferences, and retention policies
This is true in Cortex's default state. Two optional, opt-in features can make network calls if you choose to enable them — see "Optional features and network calls" below.
All of this lives in a SQLite database at ~/.cortex/cortex.db. You can inspect it, export it, or delete it at any time using standard file tools or the in-app controls.
Optional features and network calls
Cortex has two optional features that, when enabled, initiate network calls from your Mac. Neither involves Cortex's own servers or API keys — the connections go to infrastructure you or Anthropic control.
- Optional AI features (off by default). "Explain with Claude" and the Enhanced memory-capture level use your own Claude Code installation — a separate tool made by Anthropic — to run a language model call. If you do not have Claude Code installed, these features do not appear. If you do have it installed, enabling them in Settings causes your Mac to make a network call to Anthropic's servers, billed to your own Claude subscription. Cortex has no API key, receives no data from Anthropic, and is not billed for these calls. You can disable all CLI use in Settings at any time.
- Self-host Connector (power-user, opt-in). This optional feature lets you deploy a Cloudflare Worker on your own Cloudflare account to access your Cortex memory from claude.ai or mobile. Data goes from your Mac to your own Cloudflare infrastructure — not to Cortex's servers. Setup requires deliberate action; it is not enabled by default.
If neither of these features is enabled, no data leaves your Mac.
Data you voluntarily provide
Two places you might share information with us:
- Waitlist signup. If you join our waitlist, we store your email address to notify you at launch. We do not use it for marketing, do not sell it, and do not share it with third parties.
- Support correspondence. If you email us for help, we retain the conversation to provide support. You can request deletion at any time.
Data on Cloud Sync (paid tier, coming soon)
If and when you opt in to the paid Cloud Sync tier, your memory database is replicated to Cloudflare infrastructure (Workers + D1) so it can follow you across Claude surfaces. Specifically:
- Memories sync over TLS to a region close to you
- Data is encrypted in transit and at rest
- You can pause, export, or delete your cloud copy at any time
- Canceling the subscription stops sync immediately; local data is untouched
(This is separate from the optional self-host Connector, which uses your own Cloudflare account — see "Optional features and network calls" above.)
What We Don't Collect
To be explicit about what we never do, even on the paid tier:
- No usage analytics, event tracking, or telemetry
- No third-party advertising or tracking scripts
- No sale or sharing of your data with advertisers, brokers, or training datasets
- No reading of your memory content for product research or LLM training
How Your Data Is Used
Local data is used solely to provide the Cortex experience: retrieving relevant memories, ranking them, consolidating patterns, and surfacing them to Claude through the MCP server. It is never transmitted off your Mac unless you enable the optional AI features, the self-host Connector, or cloud sync.
Email addresses on the waitlist are used only to send you product updates related to launch, and for no other purpose. One list, one sender, easy unsubscribe.
Storage and Security
Your local database uses SQLite's built-in durability. We recommend Mac users enable FileVault disk encryption for an additional layer of protection.
Cloud Sync (when enabled) uses Cloudflare's infrastructure, which provides TLS in transit, encryption at rest, and region-specific data residency where legally required.
Third-Party Services
In its default state, Cortex makes no third-party service calls. Depending on which optional features you enable:
- Anthropic — if you enable AI features (Explain with Claude, Enhanced capture), your Claude Code installation connects to Anthropic's API on your behalf, under your own Claude subscription. Cortex does not mediate or receive this data. See Anthropic's privacy policy.
- Cloudflare — if you set up the self-host Connector (on your own Cloudflare account), or when using the paid Cloud Sync tier: Cloudflare privacy policy.
- Payment processing — the paid tier (not yet live) will use a third-party payment processor. We'll name it here, with its privacy policy, when that tier launches.
Your Rights
Regardless of jurisdiction, you have the right to:
- Access your data (exportable as a portable JSON file from the Cortex app)
- Delete your data (one-click wipe in Settings, or delete
~/.cortex/cortex.dbdirectly) - Opt out of cloud sync at any time without losing local data
- Request deletion of waitlist email or support history by emailing [email protected]
GDPR and CCPA
If you reside in the EEA, UK, or California, you have additional statutory rights under GDPR and the CCPA. Because the free tier of Cortex does not transmit or store your data on our servers, most of these rights apply trivially — your data is always under your control. For paid-tier users, we act as a data processor and honor all applicable access, correction, deletion, and portability requests within 30 days.
Children's Privacy
Cortex is not directed to anyone under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a minor has shared data with us, please email and we will delete it promptly.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as Cortex evolves. Material changes will be communicated via email to waitlist subscribers and paid-tier users, and the "Last updated" date at the top will change. Minor clarifications may be published silently.
Contact
Questions, deletion requests, or concerns: [email protected].
The Short Version
- By default, your data lives on your Mac and never leaves. Two optional features (AI via your own Claude subscription, self-host Connector via your own Cloudflare) can make network calls — only if you turn them on.
- No analytics, no trackers, no ads, no data sales — ever.
- Cloud sync is opt-in, encrypted, and reversible.
- You can export or delete everything in one click.
- Email [email protected] for anything.