Cortex · Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Cortex is a memory layer for Claude. It runs on your Mac, stores your memories locally, and makes zero network calls on the free tier. This document explains exactly what we collect, what we don't, and what happens if you choose to enable cloud sync down the road.
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: hello@remembercortex.com.
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
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.
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
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 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
Cortex's free tier makes no third-party service calls. The paid tier uses:
- Cloudflare for cloud sync, authentication, and site hosting (privacy policy)
- Paddle for payment processing on the paid tier (privacy policy)
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 hello@remembercortex.com
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: hello@remembercortex.com.
The Short Version
- Free tier data lives on your Mac. It never leaves.
- 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 hello@remembercortex.com for anything.