Last updated: June 2026
Thought Tracker is provided by Lobster Claw Software LLC ("we," "us," or "our"). This Privacy Policy explains how the Thought Tracker mobile application ("App") handles information.
1. Overview
Thought Tracker is designed as a local-first self-reflection and CBT-based journaling tool. Most information you create in the App is stored on your device. We do not run a cloud journal account system, we do not sell personal information, and the App does not include advertising.
The App may use third-party services for specific features, including app store purchases, optional PIN recovery email, external crisis resources, system share sheets for exports and backups, and anonymous app usage data through Firebase.
2. Information Stored On Your Device
Depending on how you use the App, the following information may be stored locally on your device:
- Thought records, check-ins, guided entries, drafts, reality checks, notes, emotions, ratings, and related journal content.
- Reminder schedules, reminder labels, and optional custom reminder messages.
- App preferences, onboarding state, theme settings, and Anonymous Usage Data preferences.
- Purchase entitlement flags used to unlock Plus features and guided packs.
- App Lock settings, including PIN hash data, biometric preference, auto-lock settings, and optional recovery email.
- Local backup files you create or keep inside the App's storage area.
The App stores this information using local app storage and a local SQLite database. Your journal database is not uploaded to our servers.
3. Anonymous Usage Data
Thought Tracker includes optional anonymous app usage data tools that help us understand whether the App is working reliably. These tools are provided through Firebase Analytics, Firebase Crashlytics, and Firebase Performance Monitoring.
These categories are turned on by default, but you can turn each one off separately at any time in Settings > Support & About > Anonymous Usage Data.
Anonymous Analytics helps us understand basic app lifecycle and technical signals automatically collected by Firebase Analytics, such as first-open events, session events, app version, device type, and operating system.
Anonymous Crash Reports help us diagnose crashes and stability issues. Crash reports may include technical details such as device type, operating system, app version, crash stack traces, and related diagnostic information.
Anonymous Performance helps us understand app speed and reliability, such as startup timing, load timing, and network performance where supported by Firebase Performance Monitoring.
We do not send your name, email address, journal content, thought records, check-ins, guided entries, notes, emotions, reminders, exports, backups, PIN, recovery email, custom reminder messages, or custom user identifiers through Anonymous Usage Data.
We do not add custom behavioral analytics events to track what you write, which prompts you answer, or the content of your self-reflection. We do not use Anonymous Usage Data for advertising, ad targeting, data broker sharing, or selling personal information.
4. Information We Do Not Collect For Advertising Or Behavioral Tracking
The App does not include advertising SDKs or tracking SDKs. We do not use your journal content to build advertising profiles, train advertising systems, sell data, or share data with data brokers.
We do not send journal content, guided entry content, reality check content, emotions, notes, backup files, or exports through analytics, crash reporting, or performance monitoring.
5. Optional PIN Recovery Email
If you enable App Lock and choose PIN recovery by email, the App may store a copy of your PIN in platform secure storage on your device so it can be sent to you if you request recovery.
When you request PIN recovery, the App sends your recovery email address and PIN to a Firebase Cloud Function operated for the App. That function uses Resend to deliver the recovery email. Firebase, Google Cloud, and Resend may process the email address, PIN, delivery status, and related technical logs for the purpose of sending and operating that email feature.
We do not use recovery email addresses for marketing, advertising, or user profiling.
6. Purchases
Thought Tracker offers optional paid features, including Thought Tracker Plus, guided packs, pack bundles, and unlock-everything purchases. Purchases are handled by Apple App Store or Google Play. Those stores process payment information under their own terms and privacy policies.
The App receives and stores limited purchase information needed to unlock features, such as product identifiers and local entitlement status. We do not receive your payment card details.
7. Notifications And Reminders
If you enable reminders, the App stores reminder settings locally and uses your device's notification system to deliver reminders. If you create custom reminder text, that text may appear in notifications and may be visible on your lock screen depending on your device settings.
Notification delivery depends on your device, operating system, permissions, and settings.
8. Export And Backup
If you export data or create a backup, the App creates a file on your device. Export and backup files may contain sensitive journal content. Backup files may also include selected app settings, such as recovery email or reminder settings.
When you share an export or backup, the App uses your device's system share sheet. You choose where the file goes, such as Files, email, AirDrop, cloud storage, or another app. Once you share a file outside Thought Tracker, that destination's privacy practices apply.
9. Backup Restore And File Import
If you restore a backup, the App reads the file you select and replaces current local App data with the restored data. The App does not upload imported backup files to our servers.
10. App Lock And Biometrics
If you enable App Lock, the App stores PIN verification data locally and may use platform secure storage. If you enable biometric unlock, authentication is handled by your device's operating system. We do not receive or store your fingerprint, face scan, or other biometric identifiers.
App Lock is intended to add a layer of privacy on your device, but it is not a guarantee against all unauthorized access.
11. External Links And Crisis Resources
The App may show crisis resource information and links such as findahelpline.com. Opening an external link leaves the App and may share technical information with the website or service you visit, according to that service's privacy policy.
Thought Tracker is not a crisis service and does not provide emergency response.
12. Contact And Support
If you contact us by email, we receive the information you choose to send, such as your email address, message content, device details you include, and any attachments. We use support messages to respond to you, troubleshoot issues, and improve the App.
13. Children's Privacy
The App is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the App, contact us so we can review the issue.
14. Data Retention And Deletion
Local App data remains on your device until you delete entries, delete backups, clear app data through your device, or uninstall the App, subject to your operating system's behavior.
Exported files and backup files remain wherever you saved or shared them until you delete them from those locations.
PIN recovery emails and related technical logs may be retained by our service providers according to their operational and legal requirements.
Anonymous Usage Data may be retained by Firebase according to Google's Firebase data retention practices and the settings available to us in Firebase. Turning off a category stops future collection for that category from the App, but it may not delete data already processed by Firebase.
15. Security
We use reasonable measures for a local-first mobile app, including platform secure storage for certain sensitive settings, HTTPS for PIN recovery requests, and Firebase controls for anonymous app usage data. However, no method of storage, transmission, or device protection is completely secure. You are responsible for securing your device, email account, exported files, and backup files.
16. International Processing
If you use features involving third-party services, such as Anonymous Usage Data, PIN recovery email, purchases, external links, or support email, information may be processed in the United States or other countries where we or our service providers operate.
17. Changes To This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice in the App or by another reasonable method. Your continued use of the App after an updated Privacy Policy takes effect means you accept the updated policy.
18. Contact Us
Lobster Claw Software LLC
Contact Lobster Claw Software