How YouTube to Transcript AI handles your data — what we process, what we never collect, cookies, retention, and your privacy rights under GDPR, CCPA, and more.

1. Introduction

YouTube to Transcript AI ("we," "our," or "us") operates the website https://youtube-to-transcript.ai (the "Service").

Our Service is a free, no-registration transcription tool. You do not need to create an account, provide personal details, or make any payment to use it. Simply paste a YouTube video URL and receive a text transcript.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we process when you use our Service, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Service, you agree to the data practices described here. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Service.

2. Information We Process

Because our Service requires no registration or account, the information we handle is minimal:

2.1 Information From Your Use of the Service

Video URLs — The YouTube links you submit. Processed transiently to retrieve publicly available captions, subtitles, or audio track data needed to generate a transcript.
Transcript Content — The text output generated from your submitted video. Processed in real time and temporarily held only during your active session.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Usage Data — Anonymous, aggregated metrics such as pages visited, features used, and general geographic region (country/city level). We cannot tie this data to individual users.
Device & Browser Data — Browser type, operating system, device type, screen resolution, and language preferences.
IP Address — Processed transiently for security, rate limiting, and abuse prevention. Not permanently stored or linked to your activity.

2.3 What We Do NOT Collect

Names, email addresses, or any personal identifiers (unless you voluntarily contact us)
YouTube or Google account credentials
Payment information (the Service is free; we do not process payments)
Audio or video files — we process data transiently and do not retain media on our servers
Sensitive personal information as defined by applicable data protection laws

3. How We Use Your Information

To Deliver the Service — Processing submitted URLs to generate transcripts, AI summaries, and enable text export.
To Improve the Service — Analyzing anonymous, aggregated usage patterns to understand which features are useful and where we can improve.
To Maintain Security — Detecting and preventing fraudulent, abusive, or unauthorized use, including rate limiting and bot detection.
To Respond to Inquiries — If you contact us, we use the information you provide solely to address your question or request.

We do not use your data for advertising, profiling, automated decision-making, or any purpose beyond delivering and improving the transcription tool.

4. Legal Bases for Processing (EEA, UK & Similar Jurisdictions)

For users in jurisdictions that require a lawful basis, we rely on:

Legitimate Interests — Our primary basis. Processing is necessary to provide the Service you request, ensure its security, and improve it based on aggregate usage. We have balanced these interests against your rights and determined they do not override your privacy.
Consent — Where applicable law requires your consent (e.g., for certain cookies). You may withdraw consent at any time.
Legal Obligation — Where we must comply with applicable laws or respond to valid legal process.

5.1 Service Providers

We work with a limited set of third-party providers who help us operate the Service:

Cloud Hosting & Infrastructure — To serve the website and process requests.
AI / Speech-to-Text Processing — To generate transcripts when captions are unavailable and to produce AI summaries.
Analytics — Privacy-focused analytics tools that process only anonymous, aggregated data.

All providers are contractually bound to handle data only per our instructions and are prohibited from using it for their own purposes.

5.2 Other Circumstances

Legal Compliance — If required by law, court order, or governmental regulation.
Business Transfers — In the unlikely event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, data may be transferred under standard confidentiality terms.

5.3 What We Do NOT Do

We do not sell, rent, trade, or share your information with advertisers, ad networks, data brokers, or any third party for their own commercial purposes.

6. Third-Party Platforms

Our Service supports transcription of videos hosted on YouTube (a service of Google LLC). When you submit a YouTube URL, our Service processes publicly accessible page data solely to generate a text transcript.

No Affiliation. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by YouTube or Google LLC. YouTube is a trademark of Google LLC. We use the name "YouTube" solely to describe the functionality of our Service.

We do not use YouTube's API services. We encourage you to review Google's Privacy Policy and the YouTube Terms of Service to understand how these platforms handle your data.

7. Third-Party Websites

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites (such as YouTube). We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of any third-party sites. Clicking third-party links is at your own risk, and we encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit. A link does not imply our endorsement.

8. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use only minimal cookies:

Essential Cookies — Required for basic functionality, such as maintaining your session state and remembering display preferences (e.g., theme).
Analytics Cookies — Privacy-focused analytics (anonymous, aggregated) to understand usage patterns. These do not track you across sites or build user profiles.

We do not use advertising cookies, retargeting pixels, social media trackers, or cross-site tracking of any kind. You can configure your browser to refuse cookies, though some features may not function without essential ones.

9. Data Storage & Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards — including TLS/HTTPS encryption in transit, encryption at rest, access controls, and regular security reviews — to protect data against unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction.

No method of internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You use the Service at your own risk.

10. Data Retention & Deletion

Transcripts & Submitted URLs — Processed transiently during your session and not permanently stored. Once your session ends, transcript data is removed from our active systems.
Analytics Data — Retained indefinitely in anonymous, aggregate form. Cannot be linked to individual users.
Contact Correspondence — If you email us, we retain the conversation for as long as needed to resolve your inquiry plus a reasonable reference period.

When data is no longer needed, we either delete or anonymize it. Data in backup archives is securely isolated until deletion is feasible.

11. Your Privacy Rights

If you are in the EEA or UK, you have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing of, and port your personal data, as well as the right to object to processing and to withdraw consent. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority:

EEA: List of EU data protection authorities
UK: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

11.2 CCPA / CPRA (California)

California residents have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request deletion, and to request correction of inaccurate data. We do not sell or share personal information, and we will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

11.3 Other US States

Residents of Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and Virginia have rights under their respective state laws (CPA, CTDPA, UCPA, VCDPA), including the right to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of personal data, as well as the right to opt out of targeted advertising or sale of data (we do not engage in either).

11.4 Australia & New Zealand

You have rights under the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, including the right to access and correct personal information. Complaints may be lodged with the OAIC (Australia) or the Privacy Commissioner (New Zealand).

11.5 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request, which may require additional information given that we do not maintain user accounts.

12. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to individuals under the age of 16 (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal data, we will delete it promptly. Parents or guardians who believe this has occurred should contact us immediately at [email protected].

13. International Data Transfers

Our servers and service providers may be located in various countries. When data crosses borders, we ensure appropriate safeguards — such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission — are in place. By using the Service, you consent to such transfers.

14. Do Not Track Signals

Our Service does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals, as there is no universally accepted standard. However, we do not engage in cross-site tracking or behavioral advertising. If a uniform standard is adopted, we will update this policy accordingly.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Material changes will be announced via a notice on our website and an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. If you disagree with the changes, please stop using the Service.

16. Contact Us

For any questions, concerns, or data requests regarding this Privacy Policy:

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://youtube-to-transcript.ai