In summary, Plaud does not use your data to train AI. Your recordings, transcripts, and summaries are processed to deliver the service and then discarded by the AI provider. Nothing is stored, cached, or learned from.
AI providers
| Provider | Function | Data Safeguards |
|---|---|---|
| OpenAI LLC | Transcription & Summarization | Zero retention |
| Google LLC | Transcription & summarization | Zero retention |
| Microsoft Corporation | Transcription & summarization | Zero retention |
All AI providers operate under enterprise API agreements that contractually enforce:
- Zero data retention — audio, transcripts, and prompts are not stored, cached, or logged by the provider after the response is returned
- No training use — data is never used to train, fine-tune, evaluate, or improve any AI/ML model
- No debugging retention — data does not persist in error or diagnostic systems
No AI Training
Customer data including audio recordings, transcripts, summaries, notes, and metadata is not used to train, fine-tune, test, evaluate, or improve any AI or machine learning model, by Plaud or by any third-party subprocessor.
This is contractually enforced with all AI subprocessors and documented in Plaud's AI Data Usage Transparency Policy: global.plaud.ai/pages/ai-data-usage-transparency-policy
Data flow during AI processing
When you request a transcription or summary, here is what happens step by step:
| Step | What Happens to Your Data |
|---|---|
| 1. Recording captured | Audio is stored on your device (and in Plaud cloud if Cloud Sync is enabled) |
| 2. AI processing triggered | Audio or transcript is transmitted securely (TLS 1.2 or above) to the AI provider's API |
| 3. AI processes the content | The provider generates the transcript or summary in real time |
| 4. Response returned | The output (transcript, summary) is returned to the Plaud app |
| 5. Data discarded at provider | The provider deletes all input and output — zero retention, no logging |
| 6. Output saved to your account | The transcript and summary are saved to your Plaud account only |
FAQ about security and compliance
Does Plaud use my recordings or transcripts to train AI models?
No. Customer data is not used to train, fine-tune, test, evaluate, or improve any AI or machine learning model. This applies to:
- Audio recordings
- Transcripts
- Summaries and notes
- Any metadata associated with your content
This prohibition applies to Plaud and all third-party AI providers Plaud works with. Your data will not be used for model training unless you provide explicit, informed consent through a clearly presented opt-in process. There is no pre-selected or default opt-in.
Full policy: global.plaud.ai/pages/ai-data-usage-transparency-policy
Which AI providers does Plaud use, and what are their commitments?
Plaud uses three AI providers (OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft) for transcription and summarization. All three operate under enterprise API agreements that contractually enforce zero retention and no training use.
Where is my data processed, and does it leave my region?
Plaud routes AI processing requests to regional endpoints based on your account's location. Please refer to Plaud's security and compliance for more information.
Can I prevent my data from going to the cloud at all?
Yes partially. If you disable Cloud Sync (Plaud Cloud Sync / PCS), your recordings stay on your device. The cloud is only contacted on-demand when you explicitly request AI processing (transcription or summary). In that case:
- The audio or text is sent to the AI provider for processing
- The transcript or summary is returned to your app
- No persistent copy is stored on Plaud's servers
With Cloud Sync disabled, Plaud does not retain a server-side copy of your recordings. This is the highest-privacy configuration available for users with sensitive content.
How are AI providers contractually bound?
All three AI providers — OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft — operate under enterprise API agreements with Plaud. These agreements contractually require zero data retention, no training use, no debugging retention, and no caching.
Still have questions?
Submit a request and our support team will get back to you within 24 hours on business days.