Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 06, 2026

Privacy is a core principle of Emotion Stamp. Your journal entries, mood stamps, notes, photos, and voice recordings are stored locally on your device using SwiftData. Voice transcription and PII scrubbing happen on-device before any data leaves the device.

Personalized AI reflections are securely generated and delivered through Firebase, which protects the connection to the advanced AI. Your raw personal data is never stored long-term on external servers beyond what is required for the secure reflection process, and we never sell or share your data.

1. Data Collection and Local Processing

Unlike traditional apps, Emotion Stamp operates as a Sensor Hub. Most data is processed and stored exclusively on your iPhone’s local memory using SwiftData and a Local Vector Database.

  • Journal Entries, Photos & Voice Notes: Text notes, captured photos, and voice recordings are stored only on your device. Voice-to-text transcription is performed on-device using Apple’s Speech framework.
  • Biometric Data (HealthKit): If granted permission, we pull Heart Rate (BPM) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) from Apple Health. This data is used to provide physiological context to your stamps and stays on your device.
  • Location & Environment (WeatherKit/CoreLocation): We capture hyperlocal context (e.g., "Work," "Home," or current weather conditions) at the moment of a stamp. This data is processed locally to identify environmental triggers.
  • Local Entity Scrubbing: Before any data is utilized for AI reflections, our Natural Language Framework automatically removes Personal Identifiable Information (PII) like names or addresses on-device.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Data Transmission

To provide "Gentle Reflections," the App utilizes xAI’s Grok model. We use a "Super-Prompt" architecture designed to protect your identity:

  • Anonymized Packets: We send only scrubbed, anonymized data packets to the Grok API. This includes mood values, timestamps, and the "scrubbed" context.
  • No Training: We do not allow third-party AI models to train on your data. Your inputs are used solely to generate a one-time reflection.
  • Local Memory: We use VecturaKit to manage "Semantic Retrieval" locally. The AI only receives the most relevant context needed for a specific reflection, rather than your entire history.

3. Third-Party Services & Analytics

  • No Advertising Trackers: We do not use third-party advertising trackers or analytics platforms like Google Analytics.
  • Firebase (API Key Security): We use Google Firebase solely as a secure vault to store and retrieve the API key used to call our AI model (xAI Grok) at the moment you stamp a mood. Firebase does not store your personal journal content, voice notes, or biometric data. Only an anonymised, PII-scrubbed context packet is transmitted during this process.
  • Apple StoreKit: All premium subscriptions ("Reflections+") are processed via Apple’s encrypted in-app purchase system. We do not have access to your credit card or billing details.
  • Offline Functionality: Because our engine is "Local-First," your history and charts remain accessible without an internet connection. Only AI reflections require a network request.

4. Data Retention and Deletion

  • User Control: You have full control over your data. You can delete individual entries or your entire history directly within the History View.
  • App Deletion: Deleting the App from your iPhone will permanently remove all locally stored data, as we do not maintain cloud backups of your personal journals.

5. Australian Privacy Principles (APP) Compliance

As an Australian-built app, we comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

  • Transparency: We are clear about what we collect and why.
  • Access: You have total access to your data at all times via the App interface.
  • Security: We leverage Apple’s native encryption and on-device processing to ensure your data is as secure as the device itself.

6. Not a Medical Device

Emotion Stamp is a wellness tool, not a clinical or diagnostic app.

  • Observational Only: AI reflections are generated using observational heuristics and are not medical advice.
  • Emergency Situations: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact professional services immediately (e.g., Lifeline at 13 11 14 in Australia).

7. FAQ: Is my emotional data private?

Yes. Your journal entries, mood stamps, notes, photos, and voice recordings are stored locally on your device using SwiftData. Voice transcription and PII scrubbing happen on-device before any data leaves the device. Personalized AI reflections are securely generated and delivered through Firebase, which protects the connection to the advanced AI. Your raw personal data is never stored long-term on external servers beyond what is required for the secure reflection process, and we never sell or share your data.

8. Photos

If you choose to use our photo journaling feature, images you capture or select are stored locally on your device and are not uploaded to our servers or any third party, except where you explicitly opt to use an AI style-conversion feature, in which case the image is transmitted securely and temporarily for processing only, is not retained by us or our processors beyond the time required to complete that request, and is not used to train any AI model. Photos you attach to entries are deleted from your device when you delete the corresponding journal entry.

9. Subscription and Purchase Information

When you start a free trial or subscribe to Reflections+, your purchase is processed entirely by Apple’s App Store, and we do not collect, store, or have access to your payment card details. We receive limited, non-financial information from Apple confirming your subscription status (active, trial, or expired) so the app can unlock the appropriate features. This status information is not shared with any third party except as required to process the subscription through Apple’s systems.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our "Engine" architecture or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted within the App settings.

Contact Us: For questions regarding your privacy, please contact our support team at hello@emotionstamp.com.