Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 1, 2026
Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Our Commitment

Your privacy is sacred. Tear Journal was built from the ground up to protect your emotional data and give you complete control over your information.

1. Data Collection

1.1 What We Collect Locally

Tear Journal stores the following data ON YOUR DEVICE:

Journal Entries:

  • Timestamps of crying episodes
  • Cry reasons (sad, stressed, exhausted, angry, overwhelmed, happy tears, other)
  • Intensity ratings (0-5 scale)
  • Optional text notes
  • Optional location labels (manually entered, not GPS)
  • Optional voice recordings (max 2 minutes, stored locally)
  • Optional photos (max 5 per entry, stored locally)

App Settings:

  • Notification preferences
  • Reminder times
  • Security settings (Face ID/passcode preference)
  • Appearance preferences
  • Widget customization
  • Premium purchase status

Local Analytics:

  • Calculated statistics (streaks, averages, patterns)
  • Computed locally, never transmitted

1.2 What We DON’T Collect

We do NOT collect, transmit, or access:

  • Your journal entries (unless you enable iCloud sync)
  • Personal information (name, email, phone)
  • GPS location
  • Device contacts
  • Browsing history
  • App usage analytics
  • Any identifiable information

2. How Your Data Is Used

2.1 Local Storage

By default, ALL data stays on your device:

  • Stored in encrypted SQLite database
  • Located in secure App Group container
  • Accessible only by Tear Journal and widgets
  • Never transmitted externally
  • Never shared with third parties

2.2 Optional iCloud Sync (Premium)

If you enable iCloud Sync:

  • Data syncs ONLY to YOUR iCloud account
  • Encrypted end-to-end by Apple
  • Stored in CloudKit private database
  • Only accessible with your iCloud credentials
  • We cannot access your synced data
  • Can be disabled anytime

What Syncs: Entry metadata (timestamps, reasons, notes, tags)
What Doesn’t Sync: Voice files and photos remain local

2.3 On-Device Processing

All analytics computed locally:

  • Pattern detection
  • Statistical analysis
  • Chart generation
  • Streak calculations

No data leaves your device except via iCloud (if enabled).

3. Data Sharing

We do NOT share, sell, or disclose your data. Period.

Only exception: Data YOU choose to export (PDF reports you create).

4. Third-Party Services

4.1 Apple Services

We use:

  • iCloud/CloudKit (optional): Cross-device sync
  • StoreKit: In-app purchases (no personal data)
  • Face ID/Touch ID: Security (never leaves device)
  • UserNotifications: Local reminders only

4.2 No Analytics

We do NOT use:

  • Google Analytics
  • Firebase
  • Crashlytics
  • Facebook SDK
  • Any tracking services

4.3 No Advertising

Zero ads. Never have, never will.

5. Data Security

Local Security:

  • iOS app sandbox
  • Encrypted local database
  • Optional Face ID/Passcode lock
  • Keychain storage for sensitive data

iCloud Security:

  • TLS encryption in transit
  • Encrypted at rest
  • Apple’s CloudKit security
  • Your iCloud credentials required

Our Access:
We have ZERO access to your data.

6. Your Rights

You have complete control:

  • Access: View all data in-app
  • Export: PDF reports (Premium)
  • Deletion: Delete entries or all data
  • Portability: Export in PDF format
  • Sync Control: Enable/disable iCloud anytime

7. Children’s Privacy

Not directed to children under 13. If a child has used the app, contact us.

8. Data Retention

We DON’T keep your data—you do:

  • Data remains on device until you delete it
  • iCloud data remains until you delete or disable sync
  • No servers storing data
  • Uninstalling deletes local data

9. International Compliance

Complies with:

  • GDPR (EU)
  • CCPA (California)
  • COPPA (US)
  • PIPEDA (Canada)
  • DPA 2018 (UK)

10. CCPA Rights (California)

You have the right to:

  • Know what we collect (see Section 1)
  • Delete your data (see Section 6)
  • Opt-out of sale (we NEVER sell data)

11. GDPR Rights (EU)

You have:

  • Right to access
  • Right to rectification
  • Right to erasure
  • Right to portability
  • Right to object

12. Contact Us

Response Time: 48 hours

13. Changes to Policy

Updates posted at: https://www.tearjournal.com/privacy
Significant changes announced in app updates

TL;DR

  • ✅ Your data stays on YOUR device
  • ✅ Optional iCloud sync (encrypted, private)
  • ✅ NO tracking or analytics
  • ✅ NO ads
  • ✅ NO servers with your data
  • ✅ Complete control
  • ✅ Delete anytime

Your privacy is our priority.