Short answer: Absolutely. And with Char, you choose exactly how.
Most people don't realize that every time you use cloud-based transcription tools, you're uploading your most sensitive conversations to someone else's servers. Your client calls, strategy sessions, and confidential discussions sit in databases you'll never see. Recent privacy concerns with tools like Otter AI show just how risky this can be.
But the answer isn't to give up on AI-powered meeting notes. It's to take control of how they work.
What happens to your data with cloud-based transcription tools?
With cloud-based tools, your sensitive discussions, client information, and strategic planning sessions are processed by third-party vendors with varying privacy standards.
Your audio and transcripts may be stored on servers across different countries, used for AI training, and subject to the provider's changing privacy policies.
For organizations in regulated industries, this creates real compliance complexity. You're not just ensuring your own systems meet HIPAA, GDPR, or SOC 2 requirements — you're now responsible for your vendor's compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Giving teams control over their AI stack reduces dependency on cloud vendors, makes audits easier, and puts data handling decisions with the people who understand the risk.
Enter Char: the AI notepad built around your choice
Char is an open-source AI notepad for meetings with zero lock-in and complete control over your data and AI stack.
You control how your data is processed
Char lets you configure your own stack:
- Transcription — run it locally on your device, or use cloud APIs like Deepgram or AssemblyAI
- AI Summarization — use your own API keys (OpenAI, Anthropic, and others), run local models via Ollama or LM Studio, or use Char's managed service
- Storage — everything saves as plain markdown files on your device, not in a proprietary database
Universal platform compatibility
Char captures your microphone input and system audio directly — no bots joining your calls, no calendar permissions required. It works with all meeting platforms (Zoom, Teams, Meet, Slack), in-person meetings, and phone calls routed through your computer, with no platform-specific integrations needed.
Your files, your format
Everything saves as plain markdown on your device. Open them in Obsidian, Notion, VS Code, or any text editor. No proprietary databases, no platform dependency.
Does more control mean worse performance?
No. Char delivers real-time transcription, AI summaries with action items and key decisions, custom templates for different meeting types, AI chat to query your transcripts, search across your meeting history, and support for 45+ languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Korean, and Chinese.
Char's privacy vs. performance spectrum
Full Local Mode: Everything runs on your device. Your conversations never touch the internet. Works well for lawyers, doctors, or anyone handling sensitive information.
Uses: Local transcription + Local AI models (Ollama, LM Studio) + Device-only storage
Hybrid Mode: Transcription runs locally so your audio stays on your device, while cloud AI handles summarization.
Uses: Local transcription + Cloud LLM (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) + Hybrid storage
Performance Mode: Cloud APIs handle both transcription and AI. You get better accuracy and speed, and you still choose which providers handle your data.
Uses: Cloud STT (Deepgram, AssemblyAI) + Your own Cloud LLM + Hybrid storage
Enterprise options
Companies can run everything on their own servers — transcription, AI, and storage. No vendor dependency, full compliance control, and your IT and security teams can audit every part of the stack.
Uses: On-premise transcription + Company LLM endpoints + Self-hosted storage
Want help configuring your setup? Get in touch with our team.
Related questions
1. Is there a tool that will listen to meetings via an app and transcribe the notes?
Yes. Tools like Otter AI and Fireflies send your audio to remote servers for processing. They're convenient, but you don't get a say in how your data is handled.
Char lets you decide — local, hybrid, or cloud with your own API keys — with full visibility into what's happening, backed by open-source code you can inspect.
2. Can you transcribe without recording a meeting?
Yes. Transcription converts speech to text in real-time without saving the audio file itself. Recording saves the actual audio for playback later.
Char can produce transcripts and summaries without retaining the original audio. You decide what gets stored and where.
3. Can you use local transcription for languages other than English?
Yes. Char supports 45+ languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Korean, and Chinese. If you want stronger multilingual AI summarization, you can connect your own cloud LLM provider.
