When you share data through Hearsay, here is exactly what gets collected, who can see it, and what stays private.
Only the data that was requested gets collected
Every collection starts with a data request that defines what is being asked for, such as text messages, emails, or social media. Only the data the request covers gets shared with the account holder (the person who sent you your extraction code). Nothing more.
Your phone backup stays on your computer, not in the cloud
For phone collections, the Hearsay Extractor saves a backup of your phone to the computer where the collection ran, in the location you selected during setup. It is not uploaded to the cloud. Data leaves that computer only at the sharing step.
In most collections, you choose which conversations to share. In some cases, especially requests with many search terms, the account holder pre-programs the search terms to reduce your steps. The data matching those terms is what gets shared. Nothing else leaves the computer.
Who can see the data you share
Shared data goes to the account holder’s secure portal. Only the account holder can access it, and they control who else can view it.
If you want something you shared removed, ask the person who sent you your extraction code.
Sharing data does not create an account for you. Everything runs on your extraction code.
What happens to unshared data
Data you chose not to share never leaves your computer. It lives only in the backup file where the collection ran. Deleting that backup deletes the unshared data completely. See How to delete an extraction backup.
Note: Deleting the backup only removes the file from your computer. It does not touch your phone or the data you already shared. Deletion is permanent, so first check with the person who requested your data that they have everything they need.