The importance of privacy in productivity apps

Why privacy in productivity apps matters

1. Your data should be yours

When you use a productivity app, you're often storing personal notes, to-do lists, and important projects or client information. Whether it's just a grocery list or your next big startup idea, you shouldn't have to wonder who else might be looking at it.

With Time Stream, your data stays with you—on your device, in your browser, in only your hands. And even if you close and reopen your browser, your data is still there, ready for you to pick up right where you left off. This helps maintain state and user preferences without relying on any external servers.

Moreover, local-only storage eliminates the risks associated with cloud-based vulnerabilities, such as unauthorized access or server outages. This design gives you peace of mind, knowing your sensitive information is shielded from external threats. Time Stream's approach empowers you to stay productive without sacrificing control over your personal data.

2. No unnecessary tracking

Ever feel like your apps know a little too much about you? That's because many apps analyze user behavior—what features you use most, how long you spend on tasks, and sometimes even what you type—to personalize experiences or improve engagement.

We don't track anything—no keystrokes, no features used, no external monitoring. Time Stream completely avoids this, ensuring that every letter you type stays private. Furthermore, we do not implement analytics dashboards or behavioral profiling tools, so your workflow remains free from observation.

By opting out of tracking entirely, Time Stream ensures that your activities remain truly personal. Our focus is on creating a tool that works for you without watching your every move. Your productivity journey is yours alone, unmonitored and uninterrupted.

3. Keeping your data safe

Owning your data is important, but knowing it's truly secure is what makes the difference. At Time Stream, your data is stored locally, meaning it's not vulnerable to risks like data breaches or unauthorized access from external servers.

For added peace of mind, we automatically create daily backups of your data (for the past five days). These backups run every two hours, so you'll always have a fresh copy. Plus, you can easily download them to your computer, ensuring your information stays safe and sound.

Additionally, Time Stream offers an export feature that allows you to save your data as a JSON file directly to your device. This means you can back up your information manually or transfer it to another device if needed. This flexibility ensures that your productivity setup remains portable and adaptable. The ability to import data to a new device means you're not locked into one system, allowing for seamless transitions when needed.

For those who require integration with other tools, we provide the option to use webhooks. Time Stream uses signed webhooks to ensure secure communication between systems. A signed webhook includes a unique signature generated using a secret key, which the receiving system can check to confirm that the request is genuinely from Time Stream and that the data hasn't been altered during transmission. This provides an extra layer of security while enabling you to automate workflows by sending real-time updates to other systems or applications.

With security baked into the design, you can focus on what really matters—getting things done.

What makes Time Stream different

We get it - there are a lot of productivity apps out there. But here's what sets us apart:

• Local-only storage: Your data stays on your device, period. No cloud syncing, no external servers.
• No hidden tracking: We don't monitor your activity or analyze your habits. Your workflow is your business, not ours.
• Security by design: If privacy isn't baked into an app's design, even a minor vulnerability could expose a lot - whether that's trade secrets, personal data, or your entire digital life.
• You're in control: No surprise updates that change privacy policies, no sneaky data collection—just a tool that works for you.

As we rely more on digital tools, it's important to choose ones that align with our values. We think that privacy isn't just a feature—it's a core principle.

Future features to keep your productivity private

We're constantly thinking about how to keep your data safe while enhancing your experience. Offline functionality is one of the exciting features we're planning to work on, making sure you can stay productive even without an internet connection.

Beyond that, we're exploring secure cloud storage as an option for those who prefer it over local-only storage, using end-to-end encryption to ensure your data remains protected.

Transparency is another key focus for us. That's why we're planning to adopt a source-available license, which will allow for peer review of our code. This ensures you can be confident we're staying true to our promise.

While many tools rely on AI and automation for advanced features, we've chosen not to implement these technologies to avoid introducing potential vulnerabilities. By focusing on simplicity and reliability, we ensure our app remains secure and fully aligned with our privacy-first philosophy.

We're excited to lead the way in redefining productivity tools with privacy at the core.

Stay tuned to learn more about how we're keeping your data safe while helping you stay productive.

If you want to learn more about our approach to data management, you can read through our help documents.