Privacy Policy

Our Privacy Philosophy

Historicle is built on a simple principle: your journal is yours alone. We've designed our application so that we literally cannot access your data. This isn't just a policy choice - it's built into the architecture.

Data Storage

By default, all your data is stored locally on your device in an SQLite database with backing folders for media; your journal entries, photos, conversations, and insights are yours to control. On macOS, your data is protected by FileVault disk encryption when enabled. The only way a bad actor could access your data is by gaining access to your unlocked device or your backup and sync locations.

If you choose to enable back up and sync, you can use a local hard drive, network drive, or your own cloud storage solution of choice, such as iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox — and you can turn on Historicle's built-in backup encryption per location. Encrypted backups are scrambled on your Mac before they touch the folder, using keys derived from a passphrase only you know, with a one-time recovery code as the only fallback. A compromised cloud account or stolen drive sees only ciphertext. Be honest with yourself about the flip side: if you lose both the passphrase and the recovery code, nobody can recover that backup — including us. For unencrypted local backups, we still recommend FileVault or drive-level encryption. Historicle team members typically use a mix of encrypted network storage and cloud storage.

Unlike other journaling apps where you pay for cloud backup, Historicle NEVER has access to your data, locally or synced backups.

AI Processing

The AI features in Historicle - including emotion analysis, writing coaching, and Smart Search - all run entirely on your device using local AI models. No journal data is sent to external servers. No internet connection is required to use AI features once models are downloaded.

Optional MCP Integration: Historicle Pro includes an optional MCP (Model Context Protocol) feature that allows you to connect external AI assistants like Claude Desktop to your journal. This feature requires manual setup and is never enabled automatically. When using MCP, journal data you query is sent to the external AI service. Historicle has no control over how that data is handled or whether it may be used for AI training - please review the privacy policy of any external AI service you choose to connect.

Model Downloads

Historicle downloads AI model files from Hugging Face, a trusted open-source AI model repository or cached models on Historicle. These downloads are one-time transfers of mathematical weight files (neural network parameters), not executable code. Only the model files are downloaded - no journal data or personal information is ever transmitted during this process.

No Accounts

Historicle doesn't require you to create an account, provide an email address, or identify yourself in any way. Installing the app goes through the OS app store but we don't collect any personal information; we know how many people downloaded the app not who. You download the app and start journaling immediately.

No Tracking

The Historicle app does not collect journal usage analytics or telemetry. We don't know how many people use Historicle, how often they write, or what features they use. Your usage is entirely private.

The marketing website loads a Google Ads tag for advertising measurement. This is separate from the app and does not give Google access to your journal. Website visits may be processed by Google under its own privacy policy; we do not describe this measurement as anonymous or as proof of an app install.

Data Deletion

Since all data is stored locally on your device, you have complete control over deleting your data at any time:

• Individual entries: Delete any entry from within the app
• All local data: Open Settings → General → App Folders → Models, then go up one folder to locate your journal files. Preserve any backup you want to keep, quit Historicle, then remove the identified data directory only if you intend to erase the local journal
• Back-up locations: Delete backup folders from your chosen backup or sync location
• Local AI models: In Settings, delete downloaded AI models to reclaim disk space
• Complete removal: Uninstalling the app alone may leave data behind. Local journal files and backups in your chosen locations must be removed separately

Website

This marketing website (historicle.ai) is hosted on Cloudflare Pages. We use a Google Ads tag for advertising measurement on website pages, including the demo. The demo uses sample journal data in your browser; it is not connected to your local Historicle journal. See Google's privacy policy for Google's handling of advertising data.

Contact

If you have questions about our privacy practices, you can reach us at help@historicle.ai or visit our support page.