Back to Drift

Privacy Policy

for Drift

Last updated: January 01, 2026


Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how Drift ("we," "our," or "the app") collects, uses, stores, and protects your information when you use our macOS menu bar application.

Drift is a local application that converts CSV files to Google Sheets. It runs entirely on your Mac without any backend servers operated by us.

Key Points:

  • We do not collect, store, or transmit any personal data to our servers
  • We do not have any servers or cloud infrastructure
  • All data processing happens locally on your device
  • We only access Google data that you explicitly authorize through Google's OAuth consent screen

Information We Collect and Access

1. Local Data (Stored on Your Device)

Drift stores the following data locally on your Mac only:

  • CSV file content: Temporarily processed in memory during conversion (not permanently stored)
  • OAuth credentials: Access and refresh tokens stored in macOS Keychain
  • Application preferences: Recently created sheets list, app settings
  • Application logs: Local crash reports and error logs (never transmitted)

2. Google User Data

When you authorize Drift through Google's OAuth consent screen, we access only the following Google user data:

  • Spreadsheet files created by Drift

    • File metadata (spreadsheet ID, title, creation date)
    • Cell content derived from your CSV files
  • Google Account authentication

    • OAuth access and refresh tokens
    • Minimal account identifier for authentication purposes only

Purpose of Access: To enable you to convert CSV files into Google Sheets and manage spreadsheets created by the app.

3. Google API Scopes

We use the following limited scope to access Google services:

Scope: https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file

What this allows:

  • Create new Google Sheets files in your Google Drive
  • Read and modify only files that Drift has created
  • Cannot access any pre-existing files in your Google Drive

APIs Used:

  • Google Drive API (for file creation and management)
  • Google Sheets API (for writing spreadsheet data)

What We Do NOT Access

Drift explicitly does not access, collect, or process:

  • ❌ Any existing files in your Google Drive (created by other apps or manually)
  • ❌ Google Drive folder structures or file listings beyond files we created
  • ❌ Your Google profile information (name, email, photo) beyond what's required for OAuth
  • ❌ Gmail, Google Calendar, Contacts, Photos, or any other Google services
  • ❌ Any data from other applications on your Mac
  • ❌ Your browsing history, location, or device information

How We Use Your Data

We use the information described above solely for the following purposes:

  1. Core Functionality: Converting CSV files to Google Sheets
  2. Authentication: Maintaining your Google account connection via OAuth
  3. User Experience: Displaying recently created sheets for quick access
  4. Application Stability: Local error logging for debugging (stored locally only)

We do not:

  • Use your data for advertising or marketing
  • Build user profiles or perform analytics
  • Train machine learning models
  • Monetize your data in any way

Data Sharing, Transfer, and Disclosure

No Third-Party Sharing

We do not share, transfer, sell, rent, or disclose any Google user data or personal information to third parties. Period.

Data Recipients

The only entities with access to data processed by Drift are:

  1. You (the end user and data owner)
  2. Your Mac (local device where the app runs)
  3. Google LLC (as the cloud service provider for Google Drive and Sheets)

Legal Compliance

We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or court order. However, since we do not collect or store user data on our servers, we have no data to disclose in such scenarios.

Business Transfers

In the unlikely event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, user data handling would remain unchanged as we do not possess user data on our infrastructure.


Data Storage and Retention

Local Storage Only

All application data is stored exclusively on your Mac:

Data Type Storage Location Encryption
OAuth tokens macOS Keychain Yes (system-level)
App preferences Local app container Standard macOS protection
Recent sheets list Local app container Standard macOS protection

We do not operate any servers, databases, or cloud storage. All data remains on your device.

Data Retention

  • OAuth tokens: Retained until you revoke access via Google Account settings or uninstall the app
  • App preferences: Retained until you delete the app
  • CSV data: Processed in memory only; never written to disk permanently
  • Google Sheets: Retained in your Google Drive according to your Google account settings

How to Delete Your Data

To remove all data associated with Drift:

  1. Revoke OAuth access: Visit Google Account Permissions and remove Drift
  2. Delete local data: Uninstall the app from your Mac
  3. Delete spreadsheets: Manually delete any Google Sheets created by Drift from your Google Drive

Data Security

We implement the following security measures:

Technical Safeguards

  • Encrypted storage: OAuth credentials stored in macOS Keychain with system-level encryption
  • HTTPS/TLS: All communication with Google APIs uses encrypted HTTPS connections
  • Minimal permissions: We request only the minimum OAuth scope necessary (drive.file)
  • No data transmission: No user data is transmitted to any server controlled by us
  • Sandboxed application: Drift runs in macOS's sandboxed environment with restricted permissions

Limitations

As a local application, the security of your data also depends on:

  • The security of your Mac (FileVault encryption, user account password, etc.)
  • The security of your Google account (strong password, 2FA, etc.)
  • Physical security of your device

We strongly recommend:

  • Enabling FileVault disk encryption on your Mac
  • Using a strong password for your Mac user account
  • Enabling two-factor authentication on your Google account

Third-Party Services

Google LLC

Drift integrates with Google services to provide core functionality:

Services Used:

  • Google OAuth 2.0 (authentication)
  • Google Drive API (file creation and management)
  • Google Sheets API (spreadsheet data writing)

Data Shared with Google:

  • CSV file content (when you create a spreadsheet)
  • OAuth authentication requests
  • API requests for file creation and management

Google's Policies: Your use of Google services through Drift is subject to:

Limited Use Disclosure: Drift's use of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

No Other Third Parties

We do not use any other third-party services, analytics platforms, advertising networks, or data processors.


Your Rights and Choices

Access and Control

You have the following rights regarding your data:

  • Access: All data is stored locally on your Mac and accessible to you at any time
  • Deletion: You can delete all local data by uninstalling the app
  • Revocation: You can revoke Google access at any time through Google Account Permissions
  • Portability: Your Google Sheets data remains in standard Google Sheets format
  • Modification: You can modify or delete any spreadsheets created by Drift through Google Drive

Opt-Out

You can stop Drift from accessing your Google account by:

  1. Revoking OAuth permissions in your Google Account settings
  2. Uninstalling the application from your Mac

Children's Privacy

Drift is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.


International Data Transfers

Since Drift operates entirely locally on your Mac:

  • No data is transferred to our servers (we have none)
  • The only international transfers occur between your device and Google's infrastructure
  • Google's data processing and transfer practices are governed by their privacy policy

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be reflected by the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy.

Material changes will be communicated through:

  • App update notes
  • In-app notification
  • Email (if we have a way to contact users in the future)

Your continued use of Drift after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.


Compliance

Google API Services User Data Policy

Drift complies with the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements. Specifically:

  • We only use Google user data to provide and improve features visible to you
  • We do not transfer data to third parties except as necessary to provide the app or as required by law
  • We do not use data for serving advertisements
  • We do not allow humans to read user data unless required for security, compliance, or with user consent

macOS App Store Guidelines

Drift complies with Apple's App Store Review Guidelines regarding privacy and data handling.


Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or Drift's data practices:

Developer: Richard Lavigne
Email: contact@richard-lavigne.com
Response Time: We aim to respond within 7 business days

For Google-related privacy concerns, please visit Google Privacy & Terms.


Legal

Effective Date: January 01, 2026
Last Updated: January 01, 2026

By installing and using Drift, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use Drift.