macOS Permissions

Wasper requests a small number of macOS permissions to function. Here's exactly what each one does and when it's used.

Microphone

• Why: Records your voice for transcription.
• What: Audio is processed locally on your Mac by the Whisper AI model. It is never sent to external servers unless you explicitly enable Cloud Transcription in Settings.
• When: Only while you hold the recording hotkey or during a live recording session. The microphone is not accessed at any other time.

Accessibility

• Why: Detects selected text for AI Rewrite and injects transcribed text into the active app.
• What: Reads the currently selected text in the frontmost app (for AI Rewrite). Simulates keyboard paste (Cmd+V) to insert transcribed text where your cursor is.
• When: Only during active transcription or when using AI Rewrite. Not accessed in the background.

Automation (System Events)

• Why: Detects which app is in the foreground to apply per-app settings (e.g., formal style in email, casual in Slack).
• What: Reads the name of the frontmost application via macOS System Events.
• When: Only when a recording starts — to identify which app you're dictating into.

What We Don't Access

Wasper does not request or use access to your:

• Contacts
• Calendar
• Location
• Camera
• Files or Documents
• Browsing history

Questions

If you have questions about how Wasper uses permissions, contact us at support@wasper.app.