Privacy
Policy.
Your thoughts are sacred. Here's exactly how we handle your data — written in plain English, with complete transparency.
The Short Version
Local-First Storage
Journals stay on YOUR device by default
AI Uses Your Data
Chat sends journal snippets to AI for context
Optional Cloud Backup
Google Drive & iCloud backup to YOUR accounts
Delete Anytime
Your data is permanently removed when you ask
Important: AI Feature Disclosure
When you use our AI companion "Zeni", snippets of your recent journal entries and your chat messages are sent to our AI provider to generate personalized responses. This only happens when you actively use the chat feature.
Introduction
Welcome to ZenDiary (also known as "My Diary: AI Journal with Lock") — your private digital sanctuary for journaling and self-reflection.
We believe in complete transparency. This document explains exactly what data we collect, where it's stored, and how our AI features work. No hidden agendas, no fine print tricks.
Our Core Principle: Local-First
By default, your journal entries are stored only on your device. We don't automatically upload your private thoughts to any server. Cloud backup is entirely optional and goes to YOUR personal Google Drive or iCloud account.
Data Overview at a Glance
| Data Type | Your Device | Our Servers | AI Provider | Your Cloud* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journal entries (text) | ✅ | — | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| Photos/Images | ✅ | — | — | ✅ |
| Mood data | ✅ | — | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| Chat messages with Zeni | ✅ | — | ⚠️ | — |
| Account info (email, name) | ✅ | ✅ | — | — |
| Profile picture | ✅ | ✅ | — | — |
| App usage analytics | — | ✅ | — | — |
| PIN/Security settings | ✅ | — | — | — |
*Only if you enable Google Drive or iCloud backup
Data Stored on Your Device
The following data is stored locally on your device only and never leaves your phone unless you explicitly enable backup:
Journal Content
- Entry text: Your full journal entries
- Photos: Any images attached to entries
- Mood: The mood emoji you select for each entry
- Date & time: When entries were created
- Stickers: Decorative stickers you add to entries
AI Chat History
- Messages: Your conversations with Zeni (our AI companion)
- Chat settings: Your preferences for AI response tone, length, etc.
- Message timestamps: When messages were sent
Security Settings
- PIN code: Your app lock PIN (stored securely on device)
- Preferences: Your app settings and customizations
✓ Privacy Note: This local data stays on your device. We cannot access it. If you uninstall the app without backing up, this data is permanently deleted.
Data Stored on Our Servers
We store minimal account information on our servers (Firebase/Google Cloud) to enable core app functionality:
Account Information
- Email address: For login and account recovery
- Display name: Your chosen username
- Profile picture: If you upload one
- Account creation date: When you signed up
- Authentication provider: Whether you use Google, Apple, or email login
Subscription Information
- Premium status: Whether you have an active subscription
- Subscription type: Monthly or yearly plan
Note: Payment processing is handled entirely by Apple (App Store) or Google (Play Store). We never see or store your credit card information.
What We DON'T Store on Our Servers
- ❌ Your journal entries
- ❌ Your photos or images
- ❌ Your mood data
- ❌ Your chat conversations with Zeni
- ❌ Your PIN or security settings
- ❌ Your payment information
AI-Powered Features
🔒 How AI Works in ZenDiary
ZenDiary uses AI to enhance your journaling experience. Your data is processed securely and is never stored on any external servers.
AI is an integral part of ZenDiary that helps you understand your emotions and journaling patterns. Here's exactly how it works and how we protect your privacy:
Automatic Mood Detection
When you save a journal entry, our AI automatically analyzes your text to suggest an appropriate mood emoji. This helps you track your emotional patterns over time.
✓ This is a core feature that makes ZenDiary's mood tracking accurate and effortless.
How Your Data is Protected
Your privacy is our top priority. Here's how we protect your journal data:
- ✓Encrypted transmission: Your data is encrypted using industry-standard HTTPS/TLS before being sent for AI processing
- ✓No data retention: Our AI provider processes your text in real-time and does not store, log, or retain your journal content
- ✓Not stored on our servers: Your journal entries are never uploaded to or stored on ZenDiary's servers
- ✓Stateless processing: Each AI request is independent — no history or context is retained between requests
- ✓No training: Your journal data is never used to train AI models
AI Features Overview
ZenDiary uses AI for the following features:
Mood Detection
Automatic • Processes your entry text when you save
Book Recommendations
On-demand • Processes 5 recent entries (70 words each) to suggest personalized books
Entry-Level AI Insights
On-demand • Analyzes individual entries for advice, themes, affirmations, and more
Zeni Chat Companion
On-demand • Processes your messages and recent journal context
AI Insights & Analysis
On-demand • Processes recent entries when you request analysis
What Data is Processed
Depending on the feature, the AI processes:
- Mood detection: The text of your current journal entry
- Zeni chat: Your message, recent chat history, and brief journal context
- Analysis features: Text from your recent entries (7-25 entries depending on the feature)
Remember: This data is processed in real-time and immediately discarded. No copies are kept anywhere.
Our AI Provider
We partner with a leading AI provider that meets strict security and privacy standards:
- •SOC 2 Type II compliant infrastructure
- •Data encrypted in transit and at rest
- •No logging or retention of user content
- •Regular third-party security audits
🏥 Important Health Disclaimer
While our AI features can help you reflect on your emotions and identify patterns, they are not medical or mental health tools.
- • AI-generated insights are for reflection purposes only
- • Mood detection is an approximation based on text analysis
- • The AI companion (Zeni) is not a therapist or counselor
- • Always consult qualified professionals for mental health concerns
Backup Services
We offer optional backup to your personal cloud storage accounts. This is entirely your choice — the app works fully offline without backup.
Google Drive Backup
When you enable Google Drive backup:
- What's backed up: Journal entries, photos, mood data, stickers
- Where it goes: A file called
zendiary_backup.jsonin YOUR Google Drive - Who can access it: Only you, through your Google account
- Auto-backup: Optional — can sync after each new entry
✓ We cannot access your Google Drive backup. It's in YOUR account.
iCloud Backup (iOS only)
When you enable iCloud backup:
- What's backed up: Same as Google Drive — journal entries, photos, mood, stickers
- Where it goes: Your personal iCloud storage
- Who can access it: Only you, through your Apple ID
- Auto-backup: Optional — can sync after each new entry
✓ We cannot access your iCloud backup. It's in YOUR account.
Google Account Permissions
When you connect Google Drive, we request access to create and read files in your Drive. We only access the ZenDiary backup file — we cannot see your other Drive files, emails, or any other Google data.
Analytics & Third-Party Services
We use certain third-party services to improve your experience and understand how ZenDiary is used. Here's what we collect and why:
Firebase Analytics
We use Firebase Analytics to understand app usage patterns. This helps us improve features and fix issues.
Events we track:
- Feature usage (which AI insights are popular, sharing activity)
- App navigation patterns
- Error occurrences (to fix bugs)
- Premium subscription events
✓ We do NOT track: Your actual journal content, personal information, or anything that could identify you personally.
External Links
Some features link to external websites. When you tap these links, you leave ZenDiary and are subject to those websites' privacy policies.
External services we link to:
- Book Recommendations: Google Search, Amazon, Goodreads
- Support: Email client, social media
We don't share any of your data with these external services. The links simply help you find recommended books.
Sharing Features
ZenDiary includes features to share your journal entries:
- Share as Text: Exports entry content to your device's share sheet
- Share as Image: Creates a beautiful card image of your entry
- Word Cloud Share: Exports your topics visualization
- Monthly Digest: Shareable summary of your month
Note: When you share content, it leaves ZenDiary. Be mindful of what you share and with whom — shared content cannot be "unshared" by us.
Third-Party Services
ZenDiary integrates with the following third-party services. Here's exactly what each service does and what data they may receive:
Firebase (Google)
Authentication, Database, Analytics
- Firebase Auth: Handles login/signup securely
- Firestore: Stores your account info (email, name, profile pic)
- Analytics: Anonymous usage statistics
Our AI service provider ()
AI Chat Responses
- Purpose: Powers our AI companion "Zeni"
- Data sent: Chat messages, username, mood, journal snippets (when chatting)
- When: Only when you actively use the chat feature
RevenueCat
Subscription Management
- Purpose: Manages premium subscriptions
- Data: Anonymous user ID, subscription status
- Note: Payment details handled by Apple/Google, not us
Google Drive API
Optional Cloud Backup
- Purpose: Backup your journals to YOUR Drive
- Data: Your journal content (encrypted, stored in your account)
- Permission: Limited to creating/reading ZenDiary backup file only
Apple iCloud
Optional Cloud Backup (iOS)
- Purpose: Backup your journals to YOUR iCloud
- Data: Your journal content (stored in your iCloud account)
- Availability: iOS only, requires iCloud to be enabled
Your Rights & Data Deletion
Your data, your rules. Here's what you can do:
Right to Access
Request a copy of all data we hold about you
Right to Delete
Permanently erase your account and all data
Right to Export
Download your journals via backup feature
Right to Correct
Update any inaccurate profile information
How to Delete Your Data
Option 1: Delete All Journals (In-App)
- 1Go to Settings → Account
- 2Tap "Delete All Journals"
- 3Confirm deletion — this is immediate and irreversible
Option 2: Complete Account Deletion
- 1Email hi@zendiary.in with subject "Account Deletion Request"
- 2Include the email address associated with your account
- 3We'll delete your account and server data within 30 days
Important Notes on Deletion
- • Local data: Deleted immediately from your device
- • Server data: Removed within 30 days of request
- • Google Drive/iCloud backups: You must delete these yourself from your cloud storage
- • AI conversations: We don't store these — they're only in your device's local storage
Data Retention
- Active accounts: Data retained while account is active
- Deleted accounts: Server data purged within 30 days
- Analytics data: Anonymized and retained for up to 14 months (Google's default)
- Backup files: Retained in YOUR cloud storage until you delete them
Children's Privacy
ZenDiary is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at hi@zendiary.in and we will delete such information.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make significant changes:
- We'll update the 'Last updated' date at the top of this page
- For major changes, we'll notify you via in-app notification
- Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance
Questions? We're here.
We're real people building this with care. Reach out anytime with questions about your privacy.