Last updated 28 July 2026
This policy covers Yarnplayer, Yarnripper, Yarntranscribe, yarnplayer.net and messages sent to support. The Apps do most of their work on your device. They have no accounts, advertising, analytics or third-party tracking.
We do not receive your library, listening history, playback position or bookmarks, and we cannot read shared transcripts from the information stored in the cloud. Yarnplayer can store encrypted copies of generated podcast transcripts in Apple's CloudKit so another listener with exactly the same audio does not have to transcribe it again. Other features connect to Apple or third-party services only when you use them. We also receive information you choose to send in a support email. Those cases are explained below.
Yarnplayer stores your library, podcast subscriptions, playback positions, bookmarks, listening history, transcripts and settings on your device. Listening statistics, streaks, achievements and release forecasts are worked out there too.
Yarnripper and Yarntranscribe work with files on your Mac. Projects, imported media, downloaded podcast audio, artwork, metadata, transcripts, temporary working files and finished exports stay on your Mac or in a folder you choose. They are not uploaded to us.
If you turn on Yarnplayer's iCloud sync, its data is copied to your private iCloud database so your devices can agree with each other. It is associated with your Apple Account, not an account with us, and we cannot browse it. You can turn sync off and manage the data through Apple's iCloud controls. This private sync is separate from the shared podcast transcript cache described below.
When Yarnplayer, Yarnripper or Yarntranscribe needs to generate a transcript, it uses Apple's speech-recognition frameworks and requests on-device recognition. Audio used for transcription is not sent to us or added to the shared transcript cache. Yarnripper and Yarntranscribe produce transcripts on your Mac; anything moved into Yarnplayer is copied across by you. Their audiobook and M4B transcription workflow is not part of the shared podcast cache.
Whether Apple can provide on-device recognition depends on the operating system, hardware and language being supported. If it is unavailable, transcription may be unavailable. The Apps do not use a separate transcription provider.
Yarnplayer checks Apple's CloudKit for a shared transcript matching the exact downloaded podcast audio and language. If one exists, it is downloaded, decrypted and saved on your device. If not, transcription still happens on your device and an encrypted copy is automatically added to the shared database.
Before upload, Yarnplayer removes identifying details such as show and episode names, feed addresses and credentials, filenames, dates and device details. Podcast audio is never uploaded. The decryption key comes from the exact audio and is never uploaded, so neither Apple nor we can read the stored transcript by itself.
Anyone with the exact same audio can derive the same key. This includes listeners who receive identical files from a private feed; personalised versions stay separate. Apple authenticates contributors and keeps its own creator information. Marking a transcript inaccurate sends only an opaque record identifier and a standard quality report, not the transcript text.
When you ask Yarnplayer to find ads in an episode, it sends a compact text version of that episode's transcript to Apple's Private Cloud Compute for analysis. Only the text needed for that request is sent. No audio is included, and the feature does not run unless you ask it to.
Apple says that request content processed by Private Cloud Compute is used to fulfil the request, is not stored or made accessible to Apple, and is not retained after the result is returned. Apple may collect limited non-content information about a request, such as its size, timing and the feature used. You can read Apple's explanation of Apple Intelligence and privacy.
When Yarnplayer follows or downloads a podcast, your device contacts the feed and audio host directly. When Yarnripper imports a podcast, it contacts Apple Podcasts or the RSS or Atom address you entered, then downloads selected episodes from their hosts. Those services receive the ordinary information involved in a network request, including your IP address, and may receive a search term or feed address.
If you connect Yarnplayer to Plex or Audiobookshelf, it contacts the server you entered directly. Credentials are stored in your device's keychain and used only for that connection. We do not receive them.
Yarnripper can look up book details using Audible, MusicBrainz, Apple Books, Google Books and Open Library. When you use a lookup, the selected provider receives the words, identifier or other search details needed to answer it, along with ordinary connection information such as your IP address. You review the result before choosing what to add to your project.
These providers handle requests under their own privacy policies. They may keep request records or process them outside Australia. Yarnripper does not send them your audio, project file or finished audiobook.
The Apps can read files and folders you select through Apple's file picker or grant them permission to use. Yarnplayer imports the files you choose. Yarnripper and Yarntranscribe may create projects, managed downloads, temporary working files and output files as part of the work you ask them to do. None of those files are sent to us.
Diagnostic logging is off unless you turn it on. A log stays on your device until you export it. If you email support or attach a log, we receive your email address, your message and anything you include. We use that information to answer you, investigate the problem and improve the Apps.
Support correspondence is kept only for as long as it is reasonably useful for those purposes or required by law. You can ask us to delete it, although we may retain a minimal record where reasonably necessary to resolve a dispute, prevent abuse or meet a legal obligation.
yarnplayer.net has no analytics, advertising pixels or tracking cookies. The infrastructure that serves the website and app downloads may process ordinary technical records such as an IP address, requested page or file, time, browser and operating system. Those records are used to deliver and secure the site, diagnose faults and prevent abuse, not to build a profile of you or connect a visit to activity inside an App.
Technical records are retained only for the operational or security period used by the hosting provider, or until they are no longer reasonably needed where we control them.
Podcast artwork, descriptions, show notes and links come from publishers and feeds, not from us. Sites and services you open or connect to have their own privacy practices.
Where a provider processes information on our behalf, we choose services with privacy protections appropriate to the information involved. A feed, server or lookup service that you choose to contact handles your request under its own policy.
Apple and the podcast, metadata, website and download providers described above may process limited information outside Australia, including in the United States and other countries where they operate. The location depends on the provider, the service you choose and ordinary network routing.
The Apps use the protections supplied by Apple's operating systems, including the keychain for connected-server credentials. Shared transcript contents are encrypted and checked for a valid structure and timing data before Yarnplayer accepts them. Network requests use HTTPS where the service at the other end supports it. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, so you should also protect your devices, backups and account credentials.
Most information handled by the Apps is under your control because it stays on your device or in your Apple Account. Shared podcast transcripts are the limited exception described above, but they are stripped of identifying details and encrypted before upload. To ask what personal information we hold about you, correct it, request its deletion or make a privacy complaint, email support@yarnplayer.net. We may need enough information to verify and complete the request, and we will respond within a reasonable time.
If you are not satisfied with our response and the Australian Privacy Act applies, you may be able to complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
The Apps and website are not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly ask children for personal information. If you believe a child has sent personal information to support, contact us and we will delete it where appropriate.
We will update the date at the top when this policy changes. If a change materially affects how an App handles information, we will also give reasonable notice through the website, the App or its release notes.
Yarnplayer, Yarnripper and Yarntranscribe are operated by Emmett Redding in Victoria, Australia. Privacy questions can go to support@yarnplayer.net.