The structural guarantee

Jot a Thought stores all journal entries exclusively on your device. We have no server, no database, and no infrastructure to receive your thoughts. This isn't a promise — it's the architecture. We cannot read your entries because we never receive them.

01

Introduction

Jot a Thought ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and safeguard information in connection with the Jot a Thought application ("the App") and our website.

We built Jot a Thought on a simple principle: your thoughts are yours. This policy exists to be transparent about the very limited information we do handle — and equally transparent about the much larger category of information we deliberately do not handle.

Plain English We designed Jot a Thought so that we never see your journal entries. This policy explains what little we do collect — and why.
02

What information we collect

Jot a Thought collects the minimum information required to operate the app and process your purchase. The following table summarises what is and is not collected.

Data type Collected? Where it goes
Journal entry content Never Stays on your device only. We never receive it.
Entry timestamps Never Stored on-device only.
Temporal frame tags (past/present/future) Never Stored on-device only.
Purchase transaction Yes Processed by Apple App Store or Google Play. We receive only a transaction confirmation (no card details).
Crash reports Yes Sent to a crash reporting service. Reports contain device model, OS version, and stack trace only — never entry content.
Anonymous usage analytics Opt-in only Aggregate counts only (app opens, features tapped). Never linked to your identity or entry content. Off by default.
Email address Never We have no account system. We do not collect email addresses.
Location data Never Jot a Thought does not request or use location permissions.
Device identifiers Never We do not collect advertising identifiers (IDFA/GAID) or persistent device IDs.
03

How we use information

The limited information we do collect is used only for the following purposes:

  • Purchase confirmation: To verify that your one-time purchase was successful and unlock the full app.
  • Crash diagnosis: To identify and fix software bugs. Crash reports never contain journal content.
  • Product improvement (opt-in): Anonymous aggregate data helps us understand which features are used most, so we can improve them. This is off by default and can be toggled in Settings at any time.

We never sell, rent, trade, or licence your information to third parties. We do not use your data for advertising targeting. We do not build profiles on individual users.

Plain English We use the almost-nothing we collect to keep the app working and fix bugs. That's it.
04

Data storage and security

Journal entries are stored using native on-device storage (Core Data on iOS; Room on Android). They are protected by your device's own security — lock screen, Face ID, Touch ID, or PIN — and are included in your device's encrypted backup if you have one enabled.

No Jot a Thought server stores your entries. There is no Jot a Thought account, no Jot a Thought cloud backup, and no Jot a Thought sync service. If you uninstall the app and have not exported your entries, they are gone.

Before uninstalling: Export your thoughts from Settings → Your data → Download your thoughts. This generates a local .txt or PDF file you can save anywhere.

Purchase data is handled by Apple or Google. We receive only a transaction receipt. We do not store your payment method details.

Crash report data is transmitted securely over HTTPS and stored for 90 days before automatic deletion.

05

Your data, your rights

Because we hold almost no personal data, your rights are simple to exercise. Here is what you can do:

  • Access your entries: Open the app. Your full jar is always available to you.
  • Export your entries: Settings → Your data → Download your thoughts. Instant, on-device, no network request.
  • Delete your entries: Delete individual entries from the app, or delete the app to remove all data from your device.
  • Opt out of analytics: Settings → Privacy → Share anonymous usage data → Off.
  • Request deletion of any server-side data we hold (crash reports, purchase confirmation): Email hello@jotathoughtapp.com and we will process your request within 30 days.

If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or California, you may have additional rights under applicable data protection law (GDPR, UK GDPR, or CCPA). To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@jotathoughtapp.com.

06

Third-party services

Jot a Thought uses a small number of third-party services. Each is used for a specific, limited purpose:

ServicePurposeData shared
Apple App Store Payment processing (iOS) Purchase transaction only. Governed by Apple's Privacy Policy.
Google Play Payment processing (Android) Purchase transaction only. Governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
Crash reporting service Bug diagnosis Device model, OS version, stack trace. Never entry content. Deleted after 90 days.
Analytics provider (opt-in) Aggregate product metrics Anonymous event counts only. No user ID, no content, no IP address retained.

We do not integrate any advertising networks, social media SDKs, or data broker services.

07

Children's privacy

Jot a Thought is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or 16 in certain jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect any personal information from children. If you believe a child has used the app and you have concerns, please contact us at hello@jotathoughtapp.com.

08

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, for material changes, notify you via an in-app message.

Continued use of Jot a Thought after a policy change constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy. If you disagree with a change, you may export your data and delete the app at any time.

09

Contact us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy, we are happy to hear from you.

Privacy enquiries

hello@jotathoughtapp.com

We aim to respond within 5 business days.

General support

hello@jotathoughtapp.com

For app support and other questions.

Plain-language summary

You buy Jot a Thought once for $14.99. You get full, permanent access. We don't own your thoughts — they're yours. We ask only that you use the app honestly and don't try to break it. Full detail below.

01

Acceptance of these terms

By downloading, installing, or using Jot a Thought ("the App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the App.

These Terms constitute a legal agreement between you and Jot a Thought ("we", "us", "our"). They apply to all versions of the App, including free trial access and the paid version.

Plain English Using the app means you agree to these terms. If something here doesn't work for you, don't use the app — and let us know why.
02

Description of the service

Jot a Thought is a micro-journaling application that delivers a single random prompt once per day, captures your written or dictated response, tags it with a temporal frame (past, present, or future), and stores it on your device for personal reflection.

Jot a Thought is a personal tool for self-reflection. It is expressly not a medical device, a mental health service, a therapy app, or a crisis service. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact a qualified professional or emergency service.

The App requires iOS 16.0 or later, or Android 9.0 or later. We reserve the right to update these requirements as the platforms evolve.

03

Free trial and purchase

Free trial: New users receive 7 days of full access at no charge. No credit card is required to start a trial. All entries written during the trial period are preserved after purchase.

One-time purchase: Jot a Thought is available for a one-time payment of $14.99 USD (or equivalent in your local currency). This is a lifetime purchase — pay once, keep it forever. This payment grants you a personal, non-transferable, non-exclusive licence to use the App for as long as it is available on your platform of choice.

A one-time purchase is permanent. You will not be charged again unless you opt into a future Jot a Thought Plus tier, which is entirely separate and optional.

After the trial: On day 7 of your trial, you will receive a single in-app prompt to purchase. If you choose not to purchase, the App becomes read-only: you can view and export all entries you have already written, but you cannot add new entries.

Payments are processed by Apple App Store or Google Play. All purchases are subject to those platforms' refund policies. We do not handle payment information directly.

Refunds: We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee from the date of purchase. To request a refund within this window, email hello@jotathoughtapp.com. After 14 days, refunds are subject to Apple's or Google's standard policies.

04

Acceptable use

You agree to use Jot a Thought only for lawful, personal purposes. Specifically, you agree not to:

  • Reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the App.
  • Attempt to extract, copy, or replicate the App's source code or proprietary algorithms.
  • Use the App in any way that could damage, overload, or impair its infrastructure.
  • Circumvent or attempt to circumvent the one-time payment mechanism.
  • Use the App in connection with any commercial purpose without our prior written consent.
  • Misrepresent your affiliation with Jot a Thought.

Jot a Thought is a private, personal tool. It has no public-facing, social, or sharing features. These Terms apply solely to your personal use of the App on your own device.

05

Intellectual property

The App: All software, design, graphics, trademarks, and content comprising Jot a Thought (excluding your journal entries) are the exclusive intellectual property of Jot a Thought and are protected by applicable copyright and trademark law. Your purchase grants you a licence to use the App; it does not transfer ownership of any Jot a Thought intellectual property to you.

Your entries: You own your journal entries entirely. Jot a Thought claims no rights over anything you write in the App. We cannot access your entries and would not want to. You are free to export, delete, share, or publish your entries as you see fit.

Plain English We own the app. You own your thoughts. Both of those things are completely true.
06

Privacy

Your use of Jot a Thought is subject to our , which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the App, you agree to the data practices described in that policy.

The short version: your journal entries are stored exclusively on your device. We do not have access to them, and we never will.

07

Disclaimers and limitations of liability

No warranties: Jot a Thought is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not warrant that the App will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or harmful components.

Not a medical service: Jot a Thought is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read or experienced in the App.

Data loss: Because your entries are stored on-device, we cannot recover them if you delete the App, reset your device, or lose your device without a backup. We strongly recommend using the Export feature to maintain a copy of your entries.

Important: Always export your thoughts before uninstalling the app or switching devices. Jot a Thought cannot recover on-device data — this is by design.

Limitation of liability: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Jot a Thought shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of data, arising from your use of or inability to use the App. Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount you paid for the App.

08

App availability and updates

We reserve the right to modify, update, suspend, or discontinue the App at any time, with or without notice. We will endeavour to provide reasonable advance notice of any major changes.

Your one-time purchase entitles you to all App updates released while the App remains available on your platform. It does not guarantee indefinite availability of the App or any specific feature.

If Jot a Thought is discontinued, we will provide at least 90 days' notice via in-app notification, giving you time to export your entries.

09

Termination

You may stop using the App at any time by deleting it from your device. There is no cancellation process — there is no subscription to cancel.

We may terminate your access to the App if you materially breach these Terms and fail to cure the breach within 30 days of written notice. In the event of termination for cause, no refund will be issued.

10

Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which Jot a Thought is registered, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the App shall first be addressed through good-faith negotiation. If not resolved within 30 days, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the applicable arbitration body in our jurisdiction.

Nothing in this clause limits your right to seek emergency injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction.

11

Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date and, for material changes, notify you via an in-app message at least 14 days before the change takes effect.

Your continued use of the App after the effective date of any change constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not accept the revised Terms, you may stop using the App and request a refund within 14 days of the change notice.

12

Contact us

If you have questions about these Terms of Use, please get in touch.

Legal enquiries

hello@jotathoughtapp.com

We aim to respond within 5 business days.

General support

hello@jotathoughtapp.com

For app support and general questions.