Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 16, 2026
The short version: Notchd stores your recordings and journal entries on your device. Audio never leaves your iPhone. AI enrichment may send transcript text to the AI path you use. We do not sell your data, and we do not store your journal on Notchd servers.
Voice recordings and transcripts
Your voice recordings are transcribed entirely on your device using on-device AI (Whisper). Audio files are stored locally on your iPhone. Transcripts are stored in a private database on your device.
AI enrichment & data routing
AI enrichment generates titles, tags, task extraction, and summaries from transcript text. In all cases, your audio recordings are never transmitted off your device. Only the transcribed text is sent for AI enrichment, depending on the AI path active in the app.
Free trial (default for new users — first 20 notches). When you first start using Notchd, your notch transcripts are processed by Notchd's AI service, powered by OpenRouter. Transcript text is sent through a Notchd-operated Cloudflare Worker to OpenRouter using a Notchd shared key. The Worker is designed not to store transcript content. OpenRouter does not train on this data. To support rate-limiting and usage analytics, the Worker logs an anonymous device identifier (a randomly-generated UUID created at first launch, not linked to your Apple ID or any personal identity) and the timestamp of each request. This identifier cannot be used to identify you personally.
OpenRouter account (your own). If you connect your own OpenRouter account via Settings → AI, transcript text is sent directly under your OpenRouter account and is subject to OpenRouter's terms and privacy policy. Notchd's shared key is not used.
Your own API key (BYOK). If you provide your own OpenAI or OpenRouter API key, transcript text is sent directly to that provider under your key. API keys are stored securely in your device's Keychain and are never sent to Notchd's servers.
Backups
If you enable backups, Notchd can write a backup snapshot to your own iCloud Drive. This is a private backup bundle, not a Notchd server sync service. Notchd cannot read your backup.
Location
If you grant location permission, Notchd captures your approximate location at the time of each entry. This data is stored locally on your device and included only in your private iCloud Drive backup if backups are enabled. It is never sent to Notchd.
Crash reporting
Notchd uses Sentry for crash reporting. If the app crashes, a crash report is sent to Sentry that may include device model, OS version, and a stack trace. No journal content is included in crash reports.
Where your data lives
| Data | Where it lives |
|---|---|
| Voice recordings | Your iPhone, local only |
| Journal entries & transcripts | Your iPhone, with optional iCloud Drive backup. Transcript text may also be sent for AI enrichment. |
| Location tags | Your iPhone, with optional iCloud Drive backup |
| API keys | Your iPhone Keychain |
| AI enrichment requests (trial) | Notchd Cloudflare Worker → OpenRouter (Notchd shared key). Anonymous device UUID + timestamp logged in Worker for analytics. No transcript stored. |
| AI enrichment requests (OpenRouter OAuth) | Your OpenRouter account directly. Subject to OpenRouter's terms. |
| AI enrichment requests (BYOK) | Your own API provider (OpenAI, OpenRouter, etc.) under your key. |
| Crash reports | Sentry (no journal content) |
What Notchd does NOT collect
We do not collect your voice recordings, journal entries, name, location history, or personal identifying information. Waitlist email addresses are collected only when you submit the waitlist form.
Children's privacy
Notchd is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children.
Changes to this policy
We will update this page if our privacy practices change. The date at the top reflects the most recent revision.
Contact
Questions? Email [email protected]