Introduction
Welcome to Side Note ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our voice journaling and note-taking application (the "Service").
By using Side Note, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
Information We Collect
Personal Information
When you create an account with Side Note, we collect:
- Email address (required for account creation)
- Username (optional)
- Avatar URL (optional)
- Website (optional profile field)
- User ID (automatically generated)
Voice and Content Data
- Voice recordings (temporarily stored only during processing)
- Transcribed text (encrypted and stored)
- AI-generated content (encrypted and stored)
- Analysis results (encrypted and stored)
- Voice note metadata (titles, duration, creation date, tags)
Important: Raw audio recordings are NOT permanently stored. Audio files are temporarily uploaded to secure cloud storage for transcription processing and are automatically deleted after transcription is complete.
Usage Data
We automatically collect:
- Recording duration statistics
- Subscription status and credits remaining
- Note count (daily, weekly, total)
- Tag usage patterns
- Transformation style preferences
- Language preferences (transcription and analysis)
- Weekly streak tracking
- Onboarding completion status
Device and Technical Data
- Platform information (iOS or Android)
- App version
- Network connectivity status
- Crash reports and error logs (via Sentry)
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Provide and maintain the Service
- Process voice recordings into transcriptions
- Generate AI-powered content transformations
- Manage your account and subscription
- Track usage credits and limits
- Sync your data across devices
- Send important service updates
- Improve app performance and user experience
- Debug errors and crashes
- Comply with legal obligations
Third-Party Services
Side Note integrates with the following third-party services that may collect, process, or store your data:
AI and Machine Learning
OpenAI
- Purpose: Content transformation and analysis using GPT models
- Data shared: Transcribed text for analysis (not raw audio)
- Privacy Policy: https://openai.com/privacy/
Data Security
We take data security seriously and implement multiple layers of protection:
Encryption
- End-to-end encryption for sensitive content (transcriptions, analysis results)
- Server-side encryption using secure master secrets
- Client-side decryption via secure edge functions
- Encryption initialization vectors (IVs) stored separately from encrypted data
Temporary Storage
- Raw audio files are stored temporarily in secure cloud storage
- Audio files are automatically deleted after transcription
- Pre-signed URLs expire after 10 minutes
While we implement industry-standard security measures, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
Active Accounts
We retain your data for as long as your account is active and as necessary to provide the Service.
Account Deletion
When you delete your account:
- Your data is marked for deletion and retained for 30 days
- After 30 days, we permanently delete:
- Your user account
- All voice note transcriptions
- All AI-generated content and analyses
- Associated tags and metadata
- Usage statistics
During the 30-day period, you may contact us to restore your account.
Your Rights
All Users
You have the right to:
- Access your personal information
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
- Delete your account and associated data
- Export your data (transcriptions, notes)
- Withdraw consent for data processing
- Opt out of promotional communications
European Union Users (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
- Right to access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Right to rectification: Correct inaccurate data
- Right to erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
- Right to restrict processing: Limit how we process your data
- Right to data portability: Receive your data in a portable format
- Right to object: Object to certain types of processing
California Users (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
- Right to know: Request information about data collection and use
- Right to delete: Request deletion of your personal information
- Right to opt-out: Opt out of the "sale" of personal information (we do not sell your data)
- Right to non-discrimination: Equal service regardless of privacy choices
Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at: help@side-note.xyz
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top
- Displaying an in-app notification
- Sending an email to your registered email address (for significant changes)
Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Questions and Complaints
If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: