Privacy Policy
Last Updated: December 25, 2025
1. Introduction
Lound ("we," "our," or "us") is a voice journaling app built by an indie developer who cares deeply about your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our mobile app and website.
By using Lound, you agree to this policy. If you don't agree, please don't use the service.
2. The Short Version
Here's what matters most:
- Your audio recordings are never stored on our servers. We process them in memory, transcribe them, and immediately discard the audio. You can choose whether to save recordings locally on your device.
- Your photos and videos stay on your device. We only store references to media you attach - the actual files remain in your photo library.
- We don't sell your data. Ever.
- We've configured OpenAI to not retain your data. Your journal content isn't used to train AI models.
- You can export your data anytime in the app. It's your data.
- You can delete everything at any time through the app.
3. Information We Collect
3.1 Account Information
When you create an account, we collect:
- Email address and name
- Profile image (if you provide one)
- Authentication data from Google or Apple (if you sign in with those services)
3.2 Your Voice Recordings and Content
As a voice journaling app, we process your voice recordings:
- Audio recordings: Sent to AssemblyAI for transcription, then immediately discarded from our servers. We never store audio files on our servers. You can choose to save recordings locally on your device through Settings.
- Transcriptions: The text version of what you said, stored in our database.
- AI-generated insights: Mood assessments, themes, reflections, and personalized questions generated from your transcriptions.
- Photos and videos: If you attach media to an entry, we store only a reference to the file. The actual photos and videos remain in your device's photo library and never leave your device.
3.3 Usage Data
- How often you use the app, feature interactions, and navigation patterns
- Error reports and crash logs for debugging
- Device information (operating system, app version)
3.4 Subscription Data
- Your subscription tier (Free or Pro) and status
- Payment transactions are handled entirely by Apple/Google Play and RevenueCat. We never see your credit card details.
4. How We Handle Your Data with AI
We want to be upfront about how AI is involved in Lound. Here's exactly what happens:
4.1 Audio Transcription
Your voice recordings are sent to AssemblyAI for transcription. The audio is processed and only the text comes back. We don't store the audio file anywhere on our servers - it's processed entirely in memory and discarded immediately after transcription.
4.2 AI Analysis
Your transcribed text is sent to OpenAI for analysis (mood detection, themes, insights, personalized questions). We've configured our OpenAI integration to disable data retention - meaning OpenAI does not store your journal content after processing your request.
4.3 Image Analysis in Chat
You can optionally ask Lound to analyze images in the chat feature. Images are only sent to OpenAI when you explicitly request analysis each time - we always ask for your permission before sending any images. Like with text, we've configured OpenAI to not retain this data after processing.
4.4 No AI Training on Your Data
Your personal journal content is not used to train AI models. We use these services solely to provide you with transcription and analysis features. That's it.
5. Third-Party Services
We work with trusted services to provide Lound. Here's who has access to what:
Transcription
AI Analysis
- OpenAI: Receives your transcribed text to generate insights and analysis. We use their zero data retention option. Privacy Policy
Authentication
Payments
- RevenueCat: Manages subscription information. Privacy Policy
- Apple App Store / Google Play: Process all payments. We never see your credit card.
Analytics & Monitoring
- PostHog: Tracks app usage patterns to help us improve the product. Privacy Policy
- Sentry: Captures error reports for debugging. Privacy Policy
We also use internal monitoring tools to ensure service reliability and debug issues.
Infrastructure
- DigitalOcean: Hosts our database and servers in New York City, USA. Privacy Policy
6. Cookies
The Lound mobile app does not use cookies.
Our website (lound.ai) uses Google Analytics to understand how visitors find and use our site. This sets the following cookies:
- _ga: Identifies unique visitors (expires after 2 years)
- _gid: Identifies unique visitors (expires after 24 hours)
7. Data Storage and Security
7.1 Where Your Data Lives
Your data is stored on servers in New York City, USA (DigitalOcean). By using Lound, you consent to your data being processed in the United States.
7.2 How We Protect It
- All data is encrypted in transit using TLS/SSL
- Passwords are securely hashed
- Access to personal data is restricted to what's needed to operate the service
No system is 100% secure, but we take reasonable measures to protect your data.
7.3 Data Retention
Here's how long we keep different types of data:
- Audio recordings: Never stored on our servers. Processed in memory only, discarded immediately after transcription. If you enable local audio retention, recordings are stored on your device only.
- Photos and videos: We only store references to attached media. The actual files remain in your device's photo library.
- Transcriptions and AI analysis: Kept as long as your account is active.
- Analytics: Does not contain personally identifiable information.
When you delete your account, all your data is permanently deleted from our servers. Local files (audio recordings you chose to save, photos/videos in your photo library) remain on your device.
8. Your Privacy Rights
8.1 For Everyone
Regardless of where you live, you can:
- Export your data: Go to Settings > Data & Privacy > Export My Data. Download all your entries and conversations as a JSON file, or have it emailed to you.
- Delete your account: Use the "Delete Account" feature in the app. This permanently removes all your data.
- Ask questions: Email [email protected] anytime.
8.2 For EU/UK Users (GDPR)
If you're in the European Economic Area or UK, you have additional rights:
- Access and get copies of your personal data
- Correct inaccurate data
- Request deletion of your data
- Restrict or object to certain processing
- Data portability
- Withdraw consent at any time
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your data based on:
- Contract: To provide you the journaling service you signed up for
- Legitimate interests: To improve the service and ensure security
- Consent: For optional features like marketing emails
8.3 For California Users (CCPA)
California residents have the right to:
- Know what personal information we collect and how it's used
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we don't sell your data)
- Not be discriminated against for exercising these rights
8.4 For Nevada Users
Nevada residents can opt-out of the sale of personal information. We don't sell your data, but if you'd like to submit a request anyway, email [email protected].
9. Important Disclosures
9.1 Audio Recordings Are Not End-to-End Encrypted
Your voice recordings are transmitted to our servers and then to AssemblyAI for transcription. While we use encryption in transit (TLS), the recordings are not end-to-end encrypted. If you require end-to-end encryption for your journaling, Lound may not be the right fit for you.
9.2 AI Analysis Limitations
The mood assessments, themes, and insights generated by AI may not always be accurate. This is a journaling tool, not a medical device. Please don't rely on AI-generated content for important decisions about your mental health.
10. Children's Privacy
Lound is not intended for children under 13 (or 16 in the EU). We don't knowingly collect information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at [email protected].
11. Legal Disclosures
We may disclose your information if required by law, such as in response to a court order or subpoena. We may also share information if we believe it's necessary to prevent harm or protect our legal rights.
12. Business Transfers
If Lound is acquired or merged with another company, your information may be transferred. We'll notify you before your data becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
13. International Data Transfers
Your data is processed in the United States. By using Lound, you consent to this transfer. We take reasonable steps to ensure your data is protected in accordance with this policy.
14. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we make significant changes, we'll:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- Notify you through the app or by email for material changes
15. Contact Us
Questions about privacy? Reach out:
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ.