Privacy Policy
Your data. Your control. Always.
Local-First
Your data stays on your device
Anonymous
No personal information collected
Transparent
See exactly what we track
Your Control
Export or delete anytime
Our Privacy Commitment
Jotling is built with privacy as a core principle. We believe your language learning data is personal and should stay private. This policy explains exactly how we handle your information with complete transparency.
Our 4 Privacy Pillars
- ✓Local-First Storage: Your journal entries, vocabulary, and personal content never leave your device
- ✓Anonymous Analytics: We collect anonymous usage data to improve the app—no names, emails, or identifiable information
- ✓Complete Transparency: See exactly what anonymous data points we track (listed below)
- ✓You're in Control: Export all your data or delete everything with one tap
What Data Stays On Your Device
100% of your personal content is stored locally and NEVER transmitted to our servers:
- Journal entries and photos you attach
- Vocabulary words and phrases you save
- Audio recordings in your phrasebook
- Specific languages you're learning (e.g., "Spanish", "Japanese")
- Study session content and notes
- TIL (Today I Learned) notes
- Goals and their specific details
- App preferences and settings
- Exact study times and dates
This data is processed entirely on your device using secure SwiftData storage. It never touches the internet unless you choose to enable optional iCloud sync.
Anonymous Analytics We Collect
To improve Jotling and fix bugs, we collect anonymous usage analytics using TelemetryDeck, a privacy-first analytics platform based in the EU.
What We Track (Anonymously)
Which features you use (e.g., "User started Focus Timer", "User unlocked achievement")
Actions like app launch, feature access, button taps (e.g., "Opened journal tab", "Exported data")
When the app crashes or encounters errors (helps us fix bugs)
Generalized usage like "User completed session in 15-30 minute range" or "User learning a Romance language"
iOS version, device type (iPhone/iPad), app version, region/locale (for translations)
Example Analytics Events
"User completed a Focus Timer session in the 15-30 minute range for a Romance language"
✓ Anonymous - no personal details"User unlocked the 'Week Warrior' achievement"
✓ Anonymous - no user identity"App crashed during data export (error code: 500)"
✓ Anonymous - helps us fix bugs✗What We DON'T Collect
Never Collected. Period.
How Your Anonymity is Protected
We use TelemetryDeck specifically because it's built for privacy:
- Random UUID: Each installation gets a random identifier that can't be linked to you
- No Cross-App Tracking: The identifier is unique to Jotling and can't track you across other apps
- Hash Anonymization: Even the UUID is hashed with daily rotating salts before transmission
- No IP Storage: Your IP address is never stored or logged
- Aggregated Data Only: We see trends and patterns, not individual user behavior
- EU-Based: TelemetryDeck operates in the EU with GDPR compliance
About TelemetryDeck
TelemetryDeck is a privacy-first analytics platform designed for apps that respect user privacy. Unlike traditional analytics services (Google Analytics, Mixpanel, etc.), TelemetryDeck:
- Is based in Germany and fully GDPR and CCPA compliant
- Uses mathematical anonymization (not just pseudonymization)
- Cannot identify individual users, even if legally compelled
- Doesn't use cookies, fingerprinting, or device tracking
- Provides aggregated insights only
Read TelemetryDeck's privacy policy: https://telemetrydeck.com/privacy
iCloud Sync (Optional)
If you enable iCloud sync (optional):
- Your data syncs across your Apple devices via iCloud
- Data is end-to-end encrypted by Apple
- We cannot access your iCloud data—only you can decrypt it
- You can disable sync anytime in Settings
- iCloud sync follows Apple's privacy policy: Apple Privacy
Your Data Rights
Since your personal data never leaves your device, you have complete control:
- Access: All your data is viewable in the app at any time
- Export: Generate CSV, PDF, or JSON exports anytime from Settings
- Delete: Use "Clear All Data" in Settings or uninstall the app to delete everything
- Portability: Exported data is in standard formats you can use anywhere
- Right to Know: This policy explains exactly what anonymous analytics we collect
Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)
Jotling is safe for users of all ages. We don't collect personal information from anyone, including children under 13. The anonymous analytics we collect cannot identify individual users of any age.
Data Security
Your data is protected by:
- iOS device encryption (AES-256 when you set a passcode)
- Secure local storage using SwiftData with iOS security features
- No network transmission of personal content (unless iCloud sync enabled)
- Optional iCloud end-to-end encryption
- HTTPS-only communication for anonymous analytics
Changes to This Policy
If we update this privacy policy, we'll:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- Notify you through the app with a changelog
- Post the updated policy on our website
- For material changes, we'll provide prominent notice in the app
Contact Us
Questions about privacy? We're happy to explain our practices in more detail.
Email: privacy@jotling.com
General Support: hello@jotling.com
💚 Privacy Promise
We built Jotling because we care about language learning, not data collection. Your privacy isn't a feature—it's the foundation of everything we do. We'll never compromise your trust by selling data, adding invasive tracking, or changing our core privacy principles.
Legal Compliance
✓GDPR Compliant (EU General Data Protection Regulation)
✓CCPA Compliant (California Consumer Privacy Act)
✓COPPA Compliant (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act)