Speech-to-Text Privacy Architecture: Local vs Cloud Processing
Every speech-to-text application makes a fundamental architectural choice: process audio on a remote server, or process it locally on the user's device. This decision determines whether your voice data ever leaves your control.
How Cloud Dictation Works
Cloud-based dictation applications capture audio from your microphone, compress it, and transmit it over the internet to remote servers. These servers run speech recognition models, convert your audio to text, and send the result back to your device. The entire round trip requires a stable internet connection and typically takes 100-500ms depending on network conditions.
The consequence of this architecture is that a complete copy of your voice audio exists on servers you do not control. Depending on the provider, this audio may be stored for model training, quality assurance, or compliance purposes. Even providers who claim not to store audio must still transmit it, creating exposure during transit and processing.
Under GDPR, voice recordings are classified as biometric data, requiring explicit consent and a lawful basis for processing. Cloud dictation providers become data processors under GDPR, creating compliance obligations for both the provider and the user's organization. For regulated industries like healthcare and law, this introduces significant compliance complexity.
How JesType's Local Processing Works
JesType runs AI speech recognition models directly on your computer. When you press the dictation shortcut, audio is captured from your microphone, processed by an on-device model (Whisper, Parakeet, or Moonshine), and the resulting text is placed in your clipboard. No network request is made at any point during this process.
The AI models run on your CPU or GPU, requiring no specialized hardware beyond a modern Mac (Apple Silicon) or Windows PC. Model sizes range from 58MB to 500MB depending on the model selected, with accuracy scaling accordingly. Users can choose the model that best balances speed and accuracy for their hardware.
Because no internet connection is required, JesType works identically on airplanes, in rural areas, on air-gapped networks, and in environments where network access is restricted for security reasons. There is no latency from network round trips, no risk of server outages, and no dependency on a third-party service remaining operational.
Why This Matters for Privacy
Attorney-Client Privilege
Legal professionals dictating case notes, briefs, and client communications cannot risk audio being transmitted to third-party servers. Local processing ensures attorney-client privilege remains intact.
Medical Records (PHI)
Healthcare workers dictating patient notes handle Protected Health Information. Cloud dictation creates HIPAA compliance risks. Local processing eliminates the data transmission vector entirely.
Journalists & Source Protection
Journalists transcribing interviews with confidential sources need assurance that audio recordings never leave their device. Cloud processing introduces an unacceptable risk to source protection.
GDPR Considerations
Under GDPR, voice data is biometric data requiring explicit consent for processing. When dictation stays local, there is no data controller or processor beyond the user themselves — simplifying compliance considerations.
Keep Your Voice on Your Device
JesType processes all speech locally. No cloud, no subscriptions, no data collection. One-time purchase, lifetime updates.
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