Consumer Rights Wiki

Notability: Difference between revisions

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{{Incomplete|Issue 1=- Review the difference between the old policy and the new one|Issue 2=- More incidents: I'm quite sure this same behavior happened one more time, but it's really hard to track is down|Issue 3=reformat Reddit references with <nowiki><ref>{{Cite web|}}</ref></nowiki>}}{{ToneWarning}}{{ProductCargo
{{Incomplete|Issue 1=- Review the difference between the old policy and the new one|Issue 2=- More incidents: I'm quite sure this same behavior happened one more time, but it's really hard to track is down|Issue 3=reformat Reddit references with <nowiki><ref>{{Cite web|}}</ref></nowiki>}}
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{{ProductCargo
|Company=gingelabs
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|ReleaseYear=2010
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|Logo=Notability logo.png
|Logo=Notability logo.png
|Description=Note-taking application for iOS and macOS, allows note-taking and the annotation of PDF files.
|Description=Note-taking application for iOS and macOS, allows note-taking and the annotation of PDF files.
}}Notability forces new privacy policy on users who already bought the app to train its AI on the users own writing and recordings. Users are locked out of the application unless they agree to the new privacy policy after an update in August.
}}


==Consumer-impact summary==
'''Notability''' forces new privacy policy on users who already bought the app to train its AI on the users own writing and recordings. Users are locked out of the application unless they agree to the new privacy policy after an update in August.
 
==Consumer impact summary==
====Freedom====
====Freedom====
====Privacy====
====Privacy====
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Over the years different tiers of subscription appeared, justified by new AI-related functionalities.
Over the years different tiers of subscription appeared, justified by new AI-related functionalities.


For instance the app was purchasable for 9.99$ before November 2021, the annual subscription initially costed 11.99$. The base annual subscription as of 2025 is 20$, while the ''Notability pro'' plan 99$.
For instance the app was purchasable for $9.99 before November 2021, the annual subscription initially costed 11.99$. The base annual subscription as of 2025 is $20, while the ''Notability pro'' plan 99$.
====Market control====
====Market control====


==Incidents==
==Incidents==
===Users Privacy violations (''2025'')===
===Users Privacy Violations (2025)===
[[File:Locked out.png|thumb|User unable to access Notability unless the new Privacy Policy is accepted]]
[[File:Notability privacy policy 2025 update notice preventing use.png|thumb|Users report being unable to access notes unless the new Privacy Policy is accepted (October 2025). Photo taken on an iPhone.]]
In July 2025, Notability updated its [https://notability.com/privacy&#x20;Privacy&#x20;Policy Privacy Policy]. All users, including those who purchased the app before November 2021, were locked out of the app and their notes until they accepted the new terms. User reports and concerns are discussed in these Reddit threads ([https://www.reddit.com/r/notabilityapp/comments/1msjoi7/has_anyone_read_the_updated_privacy_policy/ 1], [https://www.reddit.com/r/notabilityapp/comments/1my5fe2/read_the_privacy_policy_and_now_deleting_account/ 2], [https://www.reddit.com/r/notabilityapp/comments/1mabkou/notabilitys_new_privacy_policy_ai_and_voice_notes/ 3]).
 
Notability updated its [https://notability.com/privacy Privacy Policy] in 2025. Following this change, users reported being unable to access their previously created notes until they accepted the new terms. This included users who purchased the app before it moved to a subscription model in late 2021. Public reports and discussion appear in the following Reddit threads: [https://www.reddit.com/r/notabilityapp/comments/1msjoi7/has_anyone_read_the_updated_privacy_policy/ 1], [https://www.reddit.com/r/notabilityapp/comments/1my5fe2/read_the_privacy_policy_and_now_deleting_account/ 2], [https://www.reddit.com/r/notabilityapp/comments/1mabkou/notabilitys_new_privacy_policy_ai_and_voice_notes/ 3].
 
Concerns raised about the updated policy language include:
 
*'''Processing of notes and recordings''' – The policy states that notes, handwritten content, images, documents, and audio synced with “the Services” may be processed using AI features such as transcription and summarisation. It does not clearly restrict this to Notability Cloud.
*'''Storage of transcripts''' – While original audio may be deleted after processing, transcripts created during processing may remain stored on Notability servers unless a user requests removal.
*'''No obvious local-only option''' – The app does not provide a clear way to use transcription or AI features entirely on-device without content being uploaded to external processors.
*'''Broad data-transfer terms''' – The policy allows transferring user data if the company is sold or merges with another business, affecting users who store personal or educational material.
*'''Unnamed third-party processors''' – The policy refers to “AI providers” and other external processors without identifying them, limiting transparency about how data is handled.
*'''Under-16 uncertainty''' – The policy states features are not intended for users under 16, but protections rely on self-reported age, which may not prevent minors’ data from being processed.
 
These concerns have led users to question whether continued access to local notes should depend on accepting terms that permit external processing and storage of private content. Requests for clearer boundaries and data segregation remain ongoing across public forums and support channels.
 
===Policy change timeline===


Key concerns raised about the updated policy include:
*'''Before July 2025''': Notability’s privacy policy did '''not''' list handwritten notes or personal documents as data the company may collect.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 Oct 2025 |title=Privacy Policy |url=https://notability.com/privacy |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708111045/https://notability.com/privacy |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |website=Notability}}</ref>
*'''July 2025 update''': Policy changed to state collection of user-generated content including *“notes, texts, handwritten contents, pictures, documents, and audio recordings synced by you with the Services. <ref>{{Cite web |date=31 Oct 2025 |title=Privacy Policy |url=https://notability.com/privacy |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803175314/https://notability.com/privacy |archive-date=3 Aug 2025 |website=Notability}}</ref>
*'''August 11 2025''': Notability Cloud launched, introducing syncing and cloud-based storage. <ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Aug 2025 |title=We've Got Big News: Notability Cloud is Here! |url=https://blog.notability.com/post/weve-got-big-news-notability-cloud-is-here |url-status=live |access-date=31 Oct 2025 |website=blog.notability.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114182418/https://blog.notability.com/post/weve-got-big-news-notability-cloud-is-here |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>


*'''AI processing of personal notes and voice''': Notability uses AI services to process notes and voice recordings for features like transcripts, summaries, and quizzes. Although they state data is deleted after processing, temporary retention and the use of unnamed third-party providers raise transparency and control concerns.
===Company responses===
*'''Persistent storage of audio transcripts''': Original audio is deleted after processing, but the resulting text transcripts are retained indefinitely on Notability servers unless a user requests deletion.
[[File:Notability public statement on cloud service.png|thumb|Public replies from Notability state the new policy applies '''only''' to Notability Cloud and does not change access to note content.
*'''No clear opt-out or local processing''': There is no obvious option to run transcripts or summaries entirely on-device. These features send content to third-party processors, and users are not clearly informed at the moment of use that data will leave their device.
 
*'''Data sharing in case of acquisition or merger''': The terms allow transferring user data if the company is acquired or merges. Given the sensitivity of personal and educational notes, this presents potential risks if ownership changes.
However, the policy wording does not reflect this distinction.]]
*'''Limited transparency about AI vendors''': The policy references “AI providers” without naming them, preventing users from assessing their reliability or compliance.
Public replies from Notability state the new policy applies '''only''' to Notability Cloud and does not change access to note content.  
*'''Children’s privacy protections''': While certain features are not intended for users under 16, protections appear to rely on self-reported age, meaning data could be collected from minors who do not disclose their age.
 
However, the policy wording does not reflect this distinction.  
 
In support replies, Notability confirms that acceptance of the policy is '''required''' to access the app and export notes.


==References==
==References==
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