What Walkie sends, and what it never sends
On-Device Mode dictation sends nothing — audio never leaves your machine. Cloud Mode sends the audio of a single dictation for transcription and cleanup, under Zero Data Retention. Read Aloud sends the text you want read. Meetings send audio for transcription unless you use on-device processing. Nothing you say or write is ever used to train AI models, on any plan.
Feature by feature
| Feature | What leaves your machine | Retained? |
|---|---|---|
| On-Device Mode dictation | Nothing | N/A — no request is made |
| Cloud Mode dictation | The audio of one dictation, plus the name of the app you are dictating into | No — Zero Data Retention |
| Read Aloud | The text you asked to have read | No — Zero Data Retention |
| Meetings (cloud) | Meeting audio, for transcription and summarising | Stored in your account until you delete it |
| Meetings (on-device recap) | Nothing — the recap is generated locally | N/A |
| Custom dictionary & snippets | Synced to your account if history sync is on | Stored until you delete them |
The one rule that never changes
Nothing you say, dictate, read aloud, or record is used to train AI models. Not on the free plan, not on any paid plan, not by Walkie, and not by the providers Walkie sends requests to. This is contractual with the providers, not a preference toggle.
Zero Data Retention
Cloud Mode dictation and Read Aloud run under Zero Data Retention agreements: the request is processed and the content is discarded when the response is returned. It is not logged, not stored, and not available to be reviewed later. This is what makes Walkie usable for HIPAA-regulated work.
If you need an absolute guarantee
Use On-Device Mode. It makes no network request at all, so there is nothing to trust, audit, or take on faith. This is the mode for material under legal privilege, under NDA, or covered by a policy that forbids third-party processing.
Recording other people
Walkie records your computer's audio, so it will capture everyone on a call without appearing in the participant list. Whether you may do that is a legal question that varies by jurisdiction, and in many places it depends on whether every participant consented.
Deleting things
- A meeting — delete it from the Meetings list. Deletion is permanent: the rows, the audio, and the cloud copy all go.
- Your dictation history — cleared from Settings → History.
- A share link — revoked from the meeting's Share menu, which takes effect immediately.
- Your account — email support and it will be deleted along with everything in it.
Frequently asked questions about what Walkie sends, and what it never sends
Is my audio used to train AI models?
No. Not on any plan, not by Walkie, and not by the providers processing the requests. This is contractual, not a setting.
Is Walkie HIPAA compliant?
Cloud requests run under Zero Data Retention and Walkie is HIPAA-ready. For work under a BAA, On-Device Mode removes the question entirely by never sending anything.
Where are meeting recordings stored?
In your Walkie account, in cloud storage, until you delete them. They are not shared with anyone unless you share them.
Can my employer see my dictations?
No. There is no admin console that reads member content. On Walkie Team, admins manage membership and billing, not other people's transcripts. Only meetings someone deliberately shares become visible to teammates.
Does Walkie record when I have not pressed the shortcut?
No. The microphone is opened when you start a dictation or a meeting recording and closed when you stop. There is no always-on listening, and no wake word unless you switch one on.