Last updated June 24, 2026

Privacy Policy

Koala Journal is a private, local-first voice journal for iPhone. The app has no account sign-up, no social features, no advertising, and no analytics SDK.

Data stored on your device

Recordings, transcripts, generated notes, tags, dates, durations, and local settings are stored in the app storage on your device. Journal entries are freeform and may include sensitive information if you choose to record it. You can export journal entries and delete local journal data from Settings.

Cloud transcription and AI review

Recordings are saved on your iPhone first. Cloud processing is optional and is used only after you allow it.

Allowing cloud processing does not automatically process existing entries or future recordings. A recording is sent for transcription only when you choose to create or retry a transcript for that specific recording.

For transcription, the selected audio recording may be uploaded temporarily to Google Firebase Storage and processed through Google Firebase Cloud Functions and OpenAI.

For optional AI review, selected transcript text, generated notes, tags, questions, and relevant entry text may be sent through Google Firebase Cloud Functions to OpenAI.

These requests are used only to provide app functionality: transcription, generated notes, tags, and cited answers from your journal. AI review is off by default. Koala Journal does not provide advice, diagnosis, treatment guidance, medical guidance, mental-health guidance, coaching, or decisions.

Service providers

Koala Journal uses Google Firebase and OpenAI as service providers for optional cloud processing. These providers may process submitted data and service logs only to provide, secure, debug, prevent abuse of, and maintain the service.

Retention, deletion, and consent choices

Temporary transcription uploads are deleted after processing when the request completes successfully. Service logs may be retained by Google Firebase and OpenAI for security, debugging, abuse prevention, and reliability according to their service practices.

Google Firebase Anonymous Auth creates an app-specific anonymous identifier used for request authorization and rate limits. Koala Journal does not ask for your name, email address, or phone number.

You can stop optional cloud processing by turning off Cloud processing in Settings. You can delete local journal data from Settings. If you have a privacy or deletion request that cannot be completed in the app, contact support@eggheadlabs.dev.

No tracking or advertising

Koala Journal does not sell, rent, or share journal data for advertising. The app does not use the App Tracking Transparency identifier, third-party advertising SDKs, social features, or cross-app tracking.

Permissions

Microphone access is used to record journal entries and spoken search prompts. The app does not use the camera. A camera purpose string is included because the live transcription connection library contains camera-capable code.

Children

Koala Journal is not directed to children under 13.

Contact

For privacy questions, contact support@eggheadlabs.dev.