The Quiet Standards Framework

Hi Low Studio LLC

Accessibility has WCAG. Privacy has GDPR. Hardware has the Calm Tech Institute. Until now there has been no equivalent standard for how software treats your attention, your data, or your right to leave.

The Quiet Standards Framework is Hi Low Studio's open, auditable, product-level specification for attention-respecting software: 104 criteria across 7 domains, with 27 must-pass gates and 143 scorable points. It is designed so that two independent auditors reach the same conclusion.

The seven domains

• Attention. Design for the smallest possible amount of your attention.
• Data sovereignty. Your data belongs to you.
• Honesty. Amplify the best of people and technology without confusing the two.
• Departure. Solve the problem, then get out of your way.
• Respect. Respect your time and social norms.
• Durability. Software degrades gracefully.
• Governance. Transparent and verifiable.

Exegetica and the framework

Exegetica is built toward this standard and is not certified under it. It has no ads, analytics, notifications, streaks, or gamification. A self-audit in November 2026 found that it does not yet meet every must-pass gate. Data export, account deletion, a privacy policy, and accessibility are among the work still to do.

The full specification and the self-audit toolkit are open and free at hilowstudio.dev/standards.