Plain-language privacy

Your library stays yours.

Saga is designed around a local database, optional connections, and an interface that remains useful without a Verkheim account.

The short version

Saga stores your library on your Mac in the folder you choose. It does not require a Saga or Verkheim account. Network access is used only for features that need it, such as catalog searches, library syncing, artwork refreshes, publishing you configure, and software updates.

Your notes, ratings, reading status, and local library database are not uploaded to Verkheim merely because you use Saga.

Information stored locally

Saga’s local database can contain:

  • Book and audiobook titles, authors, narrators, editions, identifiers, and other metadata.
  • Cover and poster artwork stored as local data.
  • Your ratings, reading or listening status, notes, summaries, and dates.
  • Settings such as enabled libraries, appearance, sync choices, database location, and backup location.

The database defaults to Saga’s Application Support folder. If you choose another folder—including a locally synchronized Dropbox, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or other cloud folder—that provider’s own privacy terms and syncing behavior apply to the copy in that folder.

Optional connections

Goodreads

When enabled and invoked, Goodreads-related importing can read library information needed to add or update Saga records. Saga uses the data to complement the local library and does not use it to remove local records.

Audible

Audible syncing reads available library information from the Audible app installed from the Mac App Store. macOS may require you to approve access in Privacy & Security. Saga imports metadata and artwork, not audiobook audio files.

Catalog search and cover refresh

Searching for a title or refreshing artwork sends the search terms or identifiers needed by the selected catalog. Returned information is stored locally when you add it to Saga.

Publishing and updates

Publishing occurs only after you configure and invoke that feature. Update checks may request current release information from Verkheim.

No hidden dependency on this website

The Saga website is informational. It does not host your personal library and is not required for everyday browsing, notes, ratings, or Insights. The site does not currently use a Saga account system.

Backups and deletion

Backups go to the folder you select. Deleting the Saga application does not necessarily delete databases or backups stored elsewhere. Before removing data, confirm the active database and backup locations in Settings and keep any archive you may want later.

Questions

Send a private email with privacy questions. This page will be revised if Saga’s public release changes how data is handled.