Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Effective Date: Feb 19, 2026
Data Controller: FeelEase (individual developer / sole proprietor)
FeelEase is a small-scale operation processing limited personal data. We are not required to appoint a Data Protection Officer under GDPR Article 37. For privacy inquiries contact contact@feelease.app.
Key Principle: Personal content stored locally on your device is controlled by you. We do not collect, access, or process your local journal entries, drawings, or saved insights on our servers.
We act as a data controller only for processing that occurs when you opt-in to use AI Companion features.
FeelEase ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with applicable laws including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, COPPA (where applicable), and other international privacy regulations.
Our privacy-first approach:
The following data is stored only on your device and never transmitted to our servers:
| Data Category | Includes | Purpose | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mood & emotional data | Mood check-ins (mood state, optional notes, time of day, context), emotion tracking (emotion label, body location, intensity), mood history | Emotional self-awareness and tracking | Device only (UserDefaults) |
| Personal reflections | Journal entries, saved insights (from exercises and AI conversations), writing drafts, custom greetings | Personal expression and growth tracking | Device only (UserDefaults) |
| Visual content | User-created drawings (full-size images and thumbnails), card image snapshots saved with AI conversation insights | Visual emotional expression | Device only (local files) |
| AI conversation history | Chat message history and session context, stored locally during active sessions and in saved insights | Conversation continuity and personal reference | Device only (UserDefaults) |
| App preferences | Language, tone preference (Ukrainian language only), onboarding state, UI settings | App personalization | Device only (UserDefaults) |
| Usage statistics | Session count, app open timestamps, engagement actions count | App functionality (e.g. showing relevant prompts) | Device only (local, not sent to any server) |
When you opt in to use AI Companion, the following limited data may be transmitted from your device to third-party AI services to provide responses:
| Data | Includes | Recipient(s) | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chat messages | Messages you send to AI Companion | OpenAI (processor) | Generate AI responses | Up to 30 days (OpenAI policy) for abuse monitoring |
| Card selection & metadata | Which card you reference | OpenAI (processor) | Context for responses | Session-based / limited |
| Conversation context | Recent messages (last 5) | OpenAI (processor) | Maintain coherence in conversation | Session only / temporary |
| Drawing image (AI Art Companion only) | The drawing you created, sent on each turn of the AI Art Companion session | OpenAI Vision API (processor) | Understand the visual content of your drawing to guide the reflection conversation | Up to 30 days (OpenAI policy); not used for model training where opt-out is available |
Important: We do not store AI Companion conversations on our servers. However, data you send to third parties (OpenAI, Google) is processed by those services and is subject to their retention policies — OpenAI may retain API data for up to 30 days for abuse monitoring. We have configured our use to opt-out of having this data used for model training where possible.
Under GDPR Article 6, processing must have a legal basis. Below are the bases that apply to our activities.
Journal entries, drawings and other content stored only on your device are not processed by FeelEase; therefore we do not assert a legal basis for those local-only items.
Legal basis: Legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f)) — necessary to provide the app experience.
Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)). You must explicitly opt in to use AI Companion. Consent can be withdrawn by stopping use of AI Companion.
If you email support we will process the details you provide (including your email address and content of your message) to respond. Legal basis: Legitimate interest and/or your consent when applicable.
You may withdraw consent for AI Companion at any time by closing the chat or disabling the feature in the app. Withdrawal does not affect lawfulness of processing that occurred before withdrawal. Data already transmitted to third parties remains subject to their policies.
Note: iOS device backups (iCloud or local encrypted backups) may include FeelEase data if you have backups enabled in iOS. These backups are controlled by Apple and/or by your backup settings.
Your data moves between your iOS devices via Apple mechanisms (Quick Start, iCloud restore, iTunes/Finder). We plan to add an explicit export feature in a future release to make portability easier.
Deleting the app removes most local data from that device. We do not retain backups of your personal entries on our servers. We cannot recover data you delete from your device.
Exception — iOS Keychain: A small piece of data (the free trial message counter) is stored in the iOS Keychain, which is designed by Apple to persist across app deletions and reinstalls. This counter is stored solely to prevent the free trial from being reset by reinstalling the app. It contains no personal information — only a usage count.
We use a minimal set of third-party services. Data is only shared with them when you explicitly use optional features.
| Service | Purpose | Data Shared | When Shared | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firebase Storage (Google) | Host public card images | Public content requests; may log IP/time | When you view cards | Controller for its own logs; content delivery only |
| OpenAI | AI conversation processing (AI Companion & AI Art Companion); image analysis via Vision API (AI Art Companion) | Chat messages, limited context, card metadata; drawing images (AI Art Companion only) | Only when you chat with AI Companion or use AI Art Companion | Processor (processing on our behalf) — see details below |
| Tally.so | Voluntary feedback and bug report forms | Text you submit in forms (no personal identifiers required) | Only when you submit a feedback or bug report form | Controller (processes form submissions under its own terms) |
Firebase (Google) may collect standard technical logs (e.g., IP address, request time) as part of its CDN/service operations. IP addresses are treated as personal data under GDPR. Firebase is a separate service provider and may act as a controller for these logs; we do not link such logs to your identity for profiling purposes.
When you use AI Companion, we transmit the minimal data needed to provide AI responses. We use OpenAI as data processors that process data on our behalf according to our instructions and their processing terms. Where applicable, we rely on Data Processing Agreements and Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) to provide safeguards for cross-border transfers.
Note: For some limited services and legal jurisdictions, OpenAI or Google may process certain data under their own policies for abuse monitoring or security; these limited activities are described in their public policies and we have configured our usage to opt out of training where available.
AI responses are generated using third-party AI services. The underlying AI model may change over time to ensure quality and availability.
AI Art Companion — image processing: When you use the AI Art Companion feature, your drawing is sent to OpenAI's Vision API on each message turn to help the AI understand its visual content. This image is transmitted solely to generate reflective responses and is not stored by FeelEase on our servers. OpenAI may retain it for up to 30 days for abuse monitoring, consistent with their API data policy.
See OpenAI Privacy Policy and OpenAI API Data Usage Policies.
Users should avoid entering sensitive personal information in AI conversations.
We use Tally.so to host voluntary feedback and bug report forms accessible from the app's Profile section. When you submit a form, Tally.so processes the text you enter. We do not require personal identifiers (name, email) in these forms; however, any information you voluntarily provide will be processed by Tally.so under its own privacy policy. See Tally.so Privacy Policy.
In some cases, to enable AI features, data may be temporarily processed on service provider servers located outside your country, including the United States. We use legal and technical safeguards recognized under EU law to ensure your data remains protected during such processing.
Local data (journal entries, drawings, saved insights) is retained until you delete it or delete the app.
| Location | Retention | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| On your device (chat session) | Session only (temporary) Not stored permanently by FeelEase | Closing chat clears session |
| OpenAI | Up to 30 days (abuse monitoring) | Subject to OpenAI policies — we opt out of training where available |
Deleting the app removes local data from your device. We maintain no backups of your personal content on our servers.
You have rights under GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA and other laws. These include access, rectification, erasure, restriction, data portability, objection, and withdrawal of consent where applicable.
For data held by third parties (e.g., OpenAI) please contact those services directly for certain requests; we will assist where possible.
California residents have rights including the right to know, delete, and opt-out of sale (we do not sell personal information). To submit a request, email contact@feelease.app. Response time: 45 days (may be extended once by 45 days).
FeelEase does not use automated decision-making that produces legal effects or significantly affects users. AI Companion is a conversational AI tool that provides reflection prompts and responses; it is not a medical device, diagnostic tool, or replacement for professional care.
FeelEase is intended for users aged 16 and older. While the App does not collect personal data (all content is stored locally on your device), AI features involve third-party data processing. If we become aware that a user under 16 has used AI features, we will take steps to restrict access and notify parents/guardians where required by law.
We do not target users under 16. Parents/guardians who believe a user under 16 has accessed AI features should contact contact@feelease.app.
In the unlikely event of a security breach affecting personal data under our control, we will notify affected users and applicable supervisory authorities without undue delay and in accordance with law (e.g., within 72 hours under GDPR where required).
FeelEase adapts widely used and evidence-based techniques from psychology and wellbeing practices (CBT, DBT, ACT, somatic techniques, positive psychology). These are educational and self-help in nature.
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will update the "Last Updated" date and, for material changes, provide an in-app notice and request renewed consent if required.
Privacy inquiries:
Important: FeelEase is not a replacement for professional mental health care. AI Companion is not a therapist.
If you are in crisis, contact local emergency services immediately. See the helplines below for example resources.