Guide
File Privacy Checklist for Online Tools
A simple checklist for deciding whether a document, image, email, or spreadsheet should be processed locally or uploaded.
Identify sensitive fields before processing
Files can contain more than obvious text. Photos may include location metadata, documents may include comments, emails may include headers, and spreadsheets may include hidden columns. Review what a file could reveal before using any tool.
Prefer browser-local processing when possible
For quick extraction, formatting, counting, and inspection tasks, browser-local tools can reduce unnecessary data transfer. The file stays in the current tab instead of being sent to a server for processing.
Understand when upload is required
Some tasks, such as speech-to-text transcription or heavy OCR, may require server processing. In those cases, check file limits, deletion windows, contact information, and whether the service explains how data is handled.
Remove what you do not need
If you only need a sample, use a copy with private fields removed. If you only need metadata, avoid uploading the full document. Small reductions in scope reduce privacy risk.
Keep an audit habit
For work documents, record which service you used, what file type was processed, and whether the result was downloaded or shared. This habit helps later if a file needs to be removed or a workflow needs review.