FAQ, safety & troubleshooting
Safety & limits (read this)
- Censr is defense in depth, not a guarantee. A false negative is always possible — especially a bare, low-entropy password typed with no label (use Always-blur for those).
- Use test/throwaway keys when you can — the best protection is not having real prod secrets on screen at all. Rotate anything real that appears.
- Keep ⌘⇧B in muscle memory as your backstop.
- In OBS, capture the Censr camera (or its Output window) — never your raw screen.
Frequently asked
Does Censr upload anything?
No. 100% on-device. Your screen never leaves your Mac.
Why did it ask for permission twice?
macOS doesn't activate Screen Recording until you quit and reopen the app. Reopen once and it's done. If it asks every launch, delete any old copy of Censr and re-grant once on the current version.
Does it work in Zoom / Meet / Teams / Discord?
Yes — pick "Censr" as your camera in any of them.
Do I have to press Start every time?
No — with Auto-protect on, it starts when an app opens the Censr camera, and stops when they're done.
The camera is black?
It's not protecting yet (the "Censr — not protecting" placeholder). Start it, or let Auto-protect kick in when your app opens the camera.
Why is the feed slightly behind?
The delay buffer (default ~1s) runs the feed behind so only scanned frames air. Tune it in Settings → Safety. Your real screen isn't delayed — only the protected feed your audience sees.
What if it misses a secret?
Hit ⌘⇧B (panic), add the text to Always-blur, and prefer test keys.
If protection drops mid-session?
If capture stops unexpectedly (e.g. the display disconnects), Censr sends you a notification so you're not caught out — you're not meant to be staring at it.
Mac only?
For now. A Windows version is planned.
Price & licensing
Is Censr free?
Yes. Censr is free and open source. The Windows OBS plugin is on GitHub, and a free Mac version is coming (get one email when it's ready). If it saves your channel, you can chip in on Ko-fi.
I started a trial before Censr went free. What happens?
Email todd@blackbeaconstudios.net and we'll send you a free key so the Mac app keeps working.
Didn't find your answer? Email todd@blackbeaconstudios.net — a real person reads every message.