PrivateScribe.ai bundles Whisper and Ollama into notarized macOS app for local HIPAA transcription
Open-source transcription platform built for medical and legal workflows now packages FasterWhisper, pyannote, and Ollama into a single notarized macOS app with 256-bit encryption and zero network calls after install.
PrivateScribe.ai, an MIT-licensed transcription platform from an ER physician, runs entirely on-device and is built for clinics, therapists, and legal professionals who need HIPAA-grade privacy without subscription fees. The project launched a year ago with bare-minimum functionality and has since grown to 74 GitHub stars. A signed macOS app ships this Friday bundling FasterWhisper, pyannote speaker diarization, and Ollama into a single installer that requires no separate downloads.
The platform encrypts the SQLite database with SQLCipher 256-bit encryption and optionally encrypts saved audio files with matching strength. After the initial install, the application makes zero network calls — all transcription, speaker labeling, and note formatting happens locally. An onboarding wizard walks first-time users through admin setup, hash key storage, Ollama configuration, and template selection based on use case. The system detects an existing Ollama install if present; otherwise it handles model pulls automatically.
What stands out
- 01Bundled deployment — FasterWhisper, pyannote, and Ollama ship inside the macOS app, eliminating the multi-step install that typically blocks non-technical users from running local AI tools.
- 02HIPAA workflow features — Speaker diarization labels who said what, then allows post-transcription editing. The platform includes a signatory flow: approve a transcript, finalize a formatted note, sign to make it immutable, then add timed addenda as needed. Every user action is logged in a hash-chained audit trail for verification.
- 03Zero network calls after install — The app does not phone home, upload audio, or send telemetry once the initial setup completes. Audio files can be discarded immediately after transcription or encrypted at rest if retention is required.
- 04 — Full dashboard for user management, role assignments, data retention policies, and key rotation. Server-side sessions, password hashing, two-factor auth, brute-force lockouts, and role-based access are built in.