> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.alpha.isaree.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Data and privacy

> What you can put into Isa, where your data goes, and how it's stored.

Isa is in alpha as a research product. Here's what to keep in mind about the data you put in, where it goes, and how it's stored.

## Use only synthetic data

<Warning>
  Isa is research software. Use synthetic (fake) patient data only. Do not enter real patient information.
</Warning>

## Where your data goes

What leaves your device depends on which model you run and which tools your [Agent](/concepts/agent) calls.

* **On your device:** When the [Primary Agent](/isa/primary-agent) and Agents run on-device, when you use Dictation or an on-device [Scribe Agent](/concepts/scribe), and when [OCR](/concepts/ocr) mode is **Local only**, data stays on your device.
* **Off your device:** When you select a cloud model (OpenAI or Aki.io) for the Primary Agent, when you route Scribe transcription to ElevenLabs or extraction to OpenAI or Aki.io, when [OCR mode](/isa/settings#manage-the-document-model) sends a scan to a cloud model, or when an Agent or the Primary Agent calls an [MCP server](/concepts/mcp-servers), the relevant data leaves your device.

You make this choice every time you pick a model or wire up an MCP server. See [On-device vs. cloud](/concepts/on-device-vs-cloud) for a deeper look at the trade-offs.

## How patient data is stored

Patient data is stored encrypted on your device. There is no Isaree-hosted copy.

This has two consequences worth keeping in mind:

* Deleting Isa deletes every patient on the device with it. There is no cloud backup to restore from.
* Patients don't sync between devices. A patient created on your iPhone won't appear on your iPad or Mac.

## Next

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Build your first agent" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/get-started/first-agent">
    Build a tiny Agent and see these trade-offs in practice.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Choose a model" icon="compass" href="/guides/choose-a-model">
    Pick the right model for the data you're comfortable with.
  </Card>

  <Card title="On-device vs. cloud" icon="cloud" href="/concepts/on-device-vs-cloud">
    Understand the trade-offs more deeply.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>