1. The principle
Fide Island is a utility surface, not a data collection layer. The current app asks macOS for access when a feature actually needs it, and two of the most sensitive optional features — local weather location and Input Monitoring for sound/display controls — start disabled. Apple Notes access is also permission-gated through macOS Automation.
2. Permission matrix
| Access | Why it exists | What it does not mean |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar | Read upcoming events for the calendar card. | Not requested until Calendar is enabled/allowed. |
| Bluetooth | Show short connection and disconnection activities. | Does not provide a Fide Island cloud device inventory. |
| Location | Obtain approximate location for optional local weather. | Off by default and not requested at first launch. |
| Input Monitoring | Recognize brightness, volume and mute key presses so the notch can show a fluid system level. | Not intended to capture typed text. Off by default. |
| User-selected files | Read files you intentionally drop or select for Shelf/AirDrop-like flows. | No Full Disk Access entitlement. |
| Automation / Apple Events | Read, create, edit and open Apple Notes. Also provides a fallback path for selected media apps/browsers if system Now Playing is unavailable. | macOS controls the permission. Notes access can be revoked in System Settings. |
| Apple Translation framework | Translate user-entered text on macOS 15+. | No Fide Island cloud translation service; translation content is processed on device. |
| Network | Trial/subscription access, currency rates, optional weather, explicit Gemini requests and a narrow YouTube thumbnail fallback. | No clipboard, file, calendar, Apple Notes, translation or media content is sent to the Fide Island access service. |
| Keychain | Store access tokens, random trial identity/expiry and an optional Gemini key. | The values are not written to ordinary app data folders. |
3. Access the current app does not request
- Accessibility
- Full Disk Access
- Screen Recording
- Camera
- Microphone
macOS may still show ordinary system prompts for capabilities listed in the matrix above when you use those features.
4. Local data
Clipboard history can include text, images and file URLs. Shelf stores temporary copies of items you intentionally drop. AI conversation history is local. Calendar and Now Playing information are read for display. The Notes tab communicates directly with Apple Notes and does not create a separate Fide Island cloud copy of note content. Translation text is handled through Apple's on-device Translation framework on macOS 15+. The design retains Shelf and clipboard history for 24 hours, and removing a Shelf item removes only the managed copy.
5. Network map
| Service | Feature | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| fideisland.netlify.app | Trial and subscription access | Trial start, app launch and periodic refresh |
| api.frankfurter.dev | Currency rates | Currency conversion / refresh |
| api.open-meteo.com | Weather forecast | Only while weather is enabled |
| generativelanguage.googleapis.com | Gemini models and prompts | Only after you configure and use AI |
| i.ytimg.com | YouTube artwork fallback | Narrow browser fallback when local artwork is missing |
| Apple Translation system service | On-device translation resources | macOS 15+ when Translator is used; translation content is processed on device |
Apple Notes is accessed locally through macOS Automation rather than through a Fide Island network endpoint. Any Apple Notes iCloud synchronization is controlled by Apple Notes and your Apple account settings.
6. System-wide media
Fide Island's system-wide Now Playing path uses the bundled MediaRemoteAdapter compatibility component locally. On newer macOS releases, direct access to the private MediaRemote framework from an ordinary third-party process can be restricted, so the adapter is launched as a local process bridge. A narrower AppleScript fallback exists if that bridge is unavailable.
7. You stay in control
Permissions can be revoked in macOS System Settings. Fide Island settings can disable Clipboard History, Local Weather, system sound/display controls, tabs, and individual panels. Apple Notes Automation access can be revoked in Privacy & Security → Automation. The optional Gemini key can be deleted from the app settings/Keychain.
The interactive website demo is simulated. It does not read your real clipboard, calendar, Apple Notes, translation text, media session, files, location, Bluetooth state, or Input Monitoring events. Cookieless Umami aggregate analytics run by default. Microsoft Clarity loads only after explicit consent and can be disabled again from Cookie settings. Neither service is part of the Mac app.