Why Local-Only Matters
Every time you upload a file to a cloud service, you lose control of it. Local-only processing ensures your data never leaves your hands.
The Hidden Risks of Cloud Processing
Data Retention
Cloud services often retain uploaded files for caching, debugging, or analytics. Your contract or medical documents may sit on their servers indefinitely.
AI Training
Many services use uploaded files to train AI models. Your personal photos, documents, and data become training data without your knowledge.
Data Breaches
Cloud services are high-value targets for attackers. When they get breached, your uploaded files are exposed - even if you deleted them from the service.
Third-Party Sharing
Files may be shared with partners, advertisers, or law enforcement without your explicit consent. Privacy policies are complex and change frequently.
Metadata Exposure
When you upload a file, the service sees your IP address, browser fingerprint, location, and usage patterns. This metadata reveals more than the file itself.
Compliance Violations
Uploading sensitive files to cloud services may violate HIPAA, GDPR, attorney-client privilege, or corporate data policies.
Who Needs Local-Only Processing?
Legal Professionals
Client documents, contracts, and case files are protected by attorney-client privilege. Uploading them to third-party services breaks that privilege.
Healthcare Workers
Patient records, lab results, and medical images are protected by HIPAA. Any unauthorized disclosure can result in significant penalties.
Financial Advisors
Tax returns, financial statements, and investment documents contain sensitive PII that must not be shared with unauthorized parties.
Corporate Teams
Internal documents, product plans, and proprietary data should never leave the organization's control - even for simple compression.
Journalists
Source documents, whistleblower communications, and research materials must be protected from surveillance and data requests.
Everyone
Personal photos, IDs, tax forms - everyone has files they don't want stored on unknown servers. Privacy should be the default, not the exception.
Cloud vs Local: What Actually Happens
Cloud-Based Tool
- 1You select a file from your device
- 2File is uploaded to their server (often unencrypted)
- 3Server processes your file
- 4Processed file is stored on their server
- 5You download the result
- 6Original file may remain on their server indefinitely
LocalForge (Local)
- 1You select a file from your device
- 2File is loaded into browser memory only
- 3Browser processes your file locally
- 4Result created in browser memory
- 5You download directly from memory
- 6Memory is cleared - nothing persists