> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.liccium.com/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.liccium.com/documentation/products/liccium-desktop-app/privacy-and-your-data.md).

# Privacy and your data

Liccium Desktop is built so that your work does not have to leave your computer. Liccium reads files to generate their fingerprints and stores the results locally. The only information that leaves your computer is the declaration you choose to publish.

## What Liccium does and does not do

Liccium never:

* uploads your files or their contents;
* reads files except to generate their fingerprints;
* modifies, moves or deletes your original files;
* publishes information you did not choose to declare.

Liccium always:

* shows you exactly what will be signed before you sign it;
* asks before publishing a declaration;
* keeps a record of every declaration you made;
* lets you remove any file from the app while the file itself stays where it is.

## Where your data is stored

Your files stay on your computer. Liccium works with your library on your computer, and synchronises the information about it with your Liccium account.

| Data                                                                                  | Where it is stored                                                                       |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Your files                                                                            | On your computer only                                                                    |
| Fingerprints, the information you entered, labels and the record of your declarations | On your computer, synchronised with your Liccium account                                 |
| Your account                                                                          | Managed centrally by Liccium                                                             |
| Your signing key                                                                      | In Liccium's secure key storage, or on your computer if you choose to manage it yourself |

Because the information about your library is stored in your account, you can move to a new computer, or work on more than one device, without fingerprinting and describing your work again. The files themselves are not transferred – on a new device, Liccium connects your library to the files it finds there by their content. Working on several devices at the same time is part of the Professional and Enterprise plans. See Plans.

## What is published

A published declaration contains the ISCC of the file, the information from the plugins you activated for it, the signature, the timestamp and any credentials you attached. It does not contain the file.

Declarations are public. Do not include information in a declaration that you do not want to make public. The information you store in your account but do not declare is not published.

## Your signing key

Liccium manages your signing key for you. The key is held in secure key storage designed so that it cannot be extracted – not even by Liccium staff – and is used only when you are signed in to your account. This has three advantages:

* you do not need to back up a key file, and you can recover access through your account;
* keys can be renewed regularly, while you remain able to update or withdraw declarations signed with an earlier key;
* if a key is ever compromised, it can be replaced without you having to declare your work again.

If you prefer to hold your signing key yourself, you can choose to manage it on your own computer. In that case the key never leaves your device, and you are responsible for keeping a backup. Without it, you can no longer update or withdraw the declarations you made.

Declarations look the same in the registries whichever option you choose.