Sona — Legal

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 26, 2026

Privacy pillars:

Private by Default

Secure & Encrypted

No Data Selling

You Own Your Data

At Sona, privacy is not an afterthought — it's the foundation of everything we build. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you use the Sona application.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

Voice Recordings: Audio files you create through the App.
Journal Entries: Text transcriptions and any written notes you create.
Account Information: Email address, display name, and password (encrypted) if you create an account.
Profile Information: Name (provided during sign-up or via Apple/Google sign-in) and preferences you set.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

Usage Data: Feature usage, session duration, and interaction patterns (anonymized).
Device Information: Device type, operating system version, and App version.
Performance Data: Crash reports and diagnostic information to improve App stability.

1.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

We do not collect your physical address, phone number, or other personal identifiers beyond what you provide during account creation.
We do not access your device's contacts, photos, or other apps.
We do not track your location.
We do not collect biometric data beyond voice recordings you explicitly create.

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Primary Uses

Transcription: Converting your voice recordings to text.
Emotion Detection: Analyzing tone and sentiment in your entries.
Theme Identification: Detecting recurring topics and patterns in your journaling.
Service Improvement: Improving transcription accuracy and feature functionality (using aggregated, anonymized data only).

2.2 What We Don't Do

No AI Training: Your personal data is never used to train AI models or improve algorithms for other users.
No Advertising: We do not use your data for targeted advertising or marketing.
No Selling: We never sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their commercial purposes.
No Cross-User Sharing: Your journal entries are never shared with or shown to other users.

3. Data Security and Encryption

We use industry-standard security practices including TLS encryption and secure database storage. Your data is protected by authentication and access controls.

3.1 Encryption in Transit

All data transmitted between your device and our servers uses TLS 1.2 or higher encryption protocols to protect against interception.

3.2 Encryption at Rest

All data stored on our servers is encrypted at rest. Our cloud infrastructure provider maintains industry-standard encryption and security certifications.

3.3 Access Controls

Your data is protected by secure authentication.
User-scoped queries ensure you can only access your own data.
Database access is restricted to authorized personnel only.
Regular security audits and monitoring.

3.4 Security Measures

Secure authentication using industry best practices.
Regular security updates and patches.
Secure password hashing.

4. Data Storage and Retention

4.1 Storage Location

Your data is stored on secure cloud infrastructure provided by Firebase (Google Cloud) and our backend database, with servers located in the United States. Our infrastructure providers maintain strict security standards and certifications.

4.2 Retention Period

Active Users: We retain your data for as long as your account is active and you continue using Sona.
Inactive Accounts: Accounts inactive for 24 months may be deleted after providing 30 days' notice.
Deleted Accounts: Upon account deletion, all personal data is permanently removed from our production servers within 30 days.
Backup Copies: Backup copies are deleted within 90 days of account deletion.
Legal Requirements: We may retain certain data longer if required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

4.3 Your Control

You can delete individual journal entries at any time within the App. To request deletion of your entire account and all associated data, contact us at contact@sonalistens.com through the "Request Data Deletion" option in Settings.

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to access all your data stored in Sona. You can export your data in JSON or PDF format through the App's Settings.

6.2 Deletion

You can delete individual journal entries at any time within the App. To request full account deletion, contact us at contact@sonalistens.com. Account deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.

6.3 Opt-Out Rights

Analytics: You can request to opt out of anonymized analytics collection by contacting us at contact@sonalistens.com.
Marketing Emails: You can unsubscribe from promotional emails (if you've opted in).
Push Notifications: You can disable notifications in your device settings.

6.4 Rights Under Privacy Laws

Depending on your location, you may have additional rights under laws such as GDPR (Europe), CCPA (California), or other privacy regulations:

Right to Know: What personal data we collect and how it's used.
Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal data.
Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the "sale" of personal data (Note: we never sell your data).
Right to Non-Discrimination: We won't discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

To exercise these rights, contact us at contact@sonalistens.com.

7. Children's Privacy

Sona is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at contact@sonalistens.com, and we will delete that information.

For users between 13 and 18 years of age, we recommend parental guidance when using the App.

8. International Data Transfers

If you access Sona from outside the United States, your data will be transferred to and processed in the United States. By using Sona, you consent to the transfer and processing of your data in the United States. We take appropriate measures to ensure your data receives adequate protection in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will:

Update the "Last Updated" date at the top.
Notify you through the App or via email.
For significant changes, request your consent before continuing to use the App.

Your continued use of Sona after notification of changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

10. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to Know: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we've collected.
Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information.
Right to Opt-Out: We do not sell personal information.
Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercise your CCPA rights without discriminatory treatment.

To exercise these rights, email us at contact@sonalistens.com with "California Privacy Rights" in the subject line.

11. European Privacy Rights

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

Legal Basis: We process your data based on your consent and our legitimate interests in providing the service.
Data Controller: Sona Wellness is the data controller.
Right to Lodge Complaint: You may file a complaint with your local data protection authority.

Terms of Service

Last Updated: February 26, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, accessing, or using Sona ("the App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the App.

2. Description of Service

Sona is a voice journaling application that provides AI-powered transcription, emotion detection, and thematic analysis to support personal reflection and mental wellness. The App uses industry-standard security practices including TLS encryption and secure database storage to protect your privacy.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years of age to use Sona. If you are between 13 and 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction), you may only use Sona with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

4. Account and Subscription

4.1 Account Creation

You may be required to create an account to access certain features. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities under your account.

4.2 Subscription Plans and Pricing

Free Plan

3 voice entries per week
5 minutes per recording
Basic transcription
Emotion detection
Entry history

Premium Monthly — $14.99/month

Unlimited voice entries
10 minutes per recording
Advanced AI analysis
Emotion tracking over time
Theme identification
Unlimited history
Priority support
Export your data

Premium Annual — $99/year

All Premium Monthly features
Save 45% compared to monthly billing
Billed annually

Pricing is in U.S. dollars and may vary by region. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period.

Managing Your Subscription: Subscriptions can be managed and canceled through your Apple ID or Google Play account settings. To cancel, go to your device's Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions (iOS) or Google Play Store > Account > Subscriptions (Android). Changes take effect at the end of the current billing period.

4.3 Payment

Payment will be charged to your Apple ID or Google Play account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. No refunds will be provided for unused portions of a subscription period.

4.4 Free Trial

We may offer a free trial period for Premium subscriptions. You will be charged when the trial period ends unless you cancel before the trial expires. We reserve the right to limit free trial eligibility.

5. Acceptable Use

You agree to use Sona only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree not to:

Use the App for any illegal activities or to promote illegal activities.
Upload or share content that is harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise objectionable.
Attempt to harm yourself or others, or use the App to plan such activities.
Reverse engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract the source code of the App.
Interfere with or disrupt the App's servers or networks.
Use the App to collect information about other users.
Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity.

6. Mental Health Disclaimer

Sona is not a substitute for professional mental health care. The App is designed for personal reflection and wellness tracking only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you are in crisis

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact:

Emergency Services: 911 (US)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (US)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (US)

If you are in danger of harming yourself or others, please seek immediate professional help.

7. Intellectual Property

Sona and all its content, features, and functionality are owned by Sona Wellness and are protected by international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Your journal entries and recordings remain your property, but you grant us a limited license to process them as described in our Privacy Policy.

8. Service Availability and Modifications

We strive to maintain Sona's availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service. We may perform maintenance, updates, or modifications that temporarily affect availability. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the App at any time without prior notice.

9. Data Backup

While we maintain secure backups of your data, you are responsible for maintaining your own backups of important journal entries. We recommend regularly exporting your data using the export feature available in Settings.

10. Termination

You may request termination of your account at any time by contacting us at contact@sonalistens.com or using the "Request Data Deletion" option in the App's Settings. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to Sona if you violate these Terms or engage in conduct that we determine is harmful to other users, us, or third parties.

Upon termination, your data will be permanently deleted from our servers within 30 days, subject to our Privacy Policy and legal obligations.

11. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

THE APP IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SONA WELLNESS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OF THE APP.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Sona Wellness, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of Sona or violation of these Terms.

13. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you through the App or via email. Your continued use of Sona after such notification constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this document indicates when the Terms were last revised.

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of Sona shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that either party may bring a claim in small claims court.

15. Apple-Specific Terms

These Terms apply to your use of Sona on iOS devices:

These Terms are between you and Sona Wellness, not Apple Inc.
Apple has no obligation to provide maintenance or support for Sona.
Apple is not responsible for addressing any claims related to Sona or your use of it.
Apple is not responsible for any product liability claims, claims that Sona fails to conform to legal requirements, or claims under consumer protection laws.
Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms and may enforce these Terms against you.

Contact

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Email: contact@sonalistens.com
Website: https://sonalistens.com

We will respond to your inquiries within 30 days.

Sona's Privacy Policy & Terms of Service