Three ways to transcribe
| Criterion | On the device | Own server | Third-party API |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where the file goes | Nowhere | To the provider's server | To the provider's server, then another company |
| Who processes it | Your device | The provider | The provider and a vendor |
| Speed | Depends on your device | Server speed | Server speed |
| Quality on large files | Limited by hardware | Higher and consistent | Higher and consistent |
| Exposure | Lowest | Medium | Higher, with more parties |
| Offline use | Possible | No | No |
No model is right for everything. The honest question is what you can accept for each file.
What happens in TooLongToListen
| Step | Where it runs | What leaves the device |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing the file | Your browser | Nothing |
| Extracting the audio from a video | Your browser | Nothing |
| Uploading for transcription | From browser to our server | The audio only |
| Transcribing | Our own server | Nothing further |
| Showing the text | Your browser | Nothing |
The video stays on your device. The audio is processed on our own server. Details on retention and deletion are in the privacy policy, which is linked from the footer of the site.
Why extract the audio in the browser
A video of ten minutes can be hundreds of megabytes, while the speech fits in a few. Extracting the audio first means a faster upload, less mobile data, and no pictures leaving your device. For how this works technically, see video to text without uploading the video.
Questions to ask any service
- Where does my file go, and in which country?
- Which companies process it?
- How long is it kept?
- Is it used to train models?
- How do I delete it?
- Who inside the company can open it?
- Is there a data processing agreement for business use?
Special situations
| Situation | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Medical, legal or children's data | Check legal requirements before uploading anything |
| Confidential meetings | Get permission and limit access |
| Interviews with sources | Think about source protection first |
| Public content | Lower risk |
This is general information, not legal advice. Regulations vary by country; if you handle personal data in the EU or Brazil, the GDPR or the LGPD may apply.
What we do not claim
We do not claim that nothing is ever stored, that the service is certified, or that it is the right choice for regulated data. Read the privacy policy for retention and deletion.
See the product
Try video to text, where the extraction step is shown on screen. The privacy policy is at privacy.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679, GDPR: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj
- Brazil, Lei 13.709/2018 (LGPD): https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2018/lei/l13709.htm
Frequently asked questions
Is my video uploaded when I transcribe it?
No. The video stays on your device. Your browser extracts the audio track, and only that audio is sent for transcription.
Where is the audio processed?
The audio is processed on our own server, not sent to third-party AI services for transcription. The privacy policy describes retention and your rights.
Is on-device transcription always more private?
Generally yes for the file, because nothing is sent. But it depends on the model and device, and results and speed vary. Server processing is a trade-off between quality and exposure.
What should I ask any transcription service?
Where the file goes, who can access it, how long it is kept, whether it is used to train models, and how you can delete it. Read the answers in the privacy policy, not only on the home page.
Does the text I get back stay private?
Your transcripts are tied to your account. Sharing is a choice you make. Read the policy for how long data is kept and how to delete it.
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