Local by default. Verifiable when it reaches the network.
VibePapers does not require an account and does not collect analytics, telemetry, advertising identifiers, or personal data.
What stays on your Mac
Your imported videos, groups, Favorites, per-display assignments, playback settings, shuffle state, and resource policies remain local. VibePapers does not provide an account, cloud library, advertising service, or analytics pipeline.
What reaches the network
Remote video downloads and thumbnails require HTTPS and are checked for redirect destination, response type, timeout, and size. Update checks request a small signed JSON manifest from the configured official HTTPS endpoint no more than once per day.
How updates are verified
The update manifest is signed with Ed25519 and verified with the public key embedded in the app. An available update opens the official download page. VibePapers never silently downloads or installs an update.
Diagnostics are user-controlled
Help → Export Diagnostics creates a JSON file locally only when you request it. The report contains app and build versions, macOS and processor information, wallpaper-engine counts and status, and Screen Saver Beta status. Review it before attaching it to a support issue; VibePapers never uploads it automatically.
Unsigned Public Beta
Current public beta DMGs are ad-hoc signed, not Apple Developer ID signed, and not notarized. Download only from the official VibePapers website, compare the DMG’s SHA-256 value with the checksum on the Download page, and use System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway if Gatekeeper blocks the app. Never disable Gatekeeper globally.
Platform boundaries
The app is sandboxed and uses hardened runtime. Its stable engine renders desktop-level wallpaper windows directly; it does not edit, back up, restore, or synchronize Apple wallpaper metadata. The optional modern screen-saver extension is explicitly Beta.
Licenses
VibePapers is provided under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0. The bundled screen-saver integration uses PaperSaver 0.3.1 under the MIT License. The complete notices are included in the app.
Reporting an issue
Do not publish private paths, personal videos, system logs, or exploit details. Use the configured project support channel, and arrange private disclosure before sharing sensitive details publicly.
No tracking. No collected data. No automatic diagnostic upload. Network access is limited to user-requested remote media and signed release checks.