> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.realmacsoftware.com/squash-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.realmacsoftware.com/squash-docs/extras/privacy-policy.md). # Privacy Policy We value your privacy. The [Realmac Software Privacy Policy](https://docs.realmacsoftware.com/elements-docs/legal/privacy-policy) explains how we handle personal information for our software, website, purchases, support and mailing lists. It covers Squash as well as our other apps. The information below explains how Squash 4 processes images and handles optional AI features. Choose **None** in **Settings → AI → Provider** to disable all AI generation. Squash stops queued and running AI work and does not analyse images or send them to an AI provider. Compression and other image processing continue to work. ### Image processing on your Mac Squash compresses, converts, resizes and applies visual edits on your Mac. These operations do not upload images to an image-processing service. Source metadata is removed by default. In the [Privacy](/squash-docs/quick-guide/nodes/metadata.md) section, all five **Remove** checkboxes are selected: Location, Camera & lens, Date & time, Author & copyright, and Other metadata. Clear a checkbox to preserve that kind of supported source metadata, such as GPS location or camera information. ### Apple Intelligence When **Apple Intelligence** is your AI provider, image descriptions and descriptive filenames are generated locally on your Mac. No cloud API key is required. With Apple Intelligence selected, enabled AI features run locally as soon as images are added, and during export. The default Rename template uses Describe to request filenames, and selecting Generate alt text requests accessibility descriptions. Manual Generate actions are also available for descriptions. ### Optional cloud AI If you select **OpenAI**, **Anthropic** or **OpenRouter**, Squash sends a resized image directly to that provider when the Rename template uses Describe or Generate alt text is selected. This happens as soon as images are added, and export completes any missing requests. Manual Generate actions also send images to the selected provider. Compression and export reuse matching cached results; explicit regeneration requests fresh results. Squash re-encodes the image without original EXIF and GPS metadata before sending it. The image still includes its visible contents. Each cloud provider's own terms and data-handling policies apply. Describe is in the default Rename template, so with a cloud provider selected, adding images starts these requests unless you remove Describe from the template or choose **None** as the provider. **Automatically compress images** does not change when AI generation starts. ### API keys and descriptions Cloud API keys are saved in **macOS Keychain**. You can remove a saved key in **Settings → AI**. Keys are separate from image-processing presets. Alt text can be copied or exported in a CSV alongside image exports. The CSV contains filenames and descriptions, so review its contents before sharing it. See [Alt Text](/squash-docs/quick-guide/nodes/alt-text.md) and [AI Setup](/squash-docs/quick-guide/ai.md). ### Purchases, support and privacy requests For company data practices and your rights, refer to the [Realmac Software Privacy Policy](https://docs.realmacsoftware.com/elements-docs/legal/privacy-policy). For questions about Squash or requests concerning your personal information, email .