Privacy Policy for DBT Pal
Effective date: October 16, 2026
Contents
1. Introduction
DBT Pal ("the App", "we", "us", or "our") is developed and operated by Benjamin Fox in the United States. We respect your privacy and are committed to handling your data responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using DBT Pal, you agree to this Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the App.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 User-provided information
DBT Pal does not require an account or login. Any information you enter (e.g., diary entries, emotions/urges, skills usage, notes) remains private to your device and, if you turn on backup, your own Apple iCloud account (iPhone only; there is no cloud backup on Android), except what you choose to send to the AI features described in section 2.4.
2.2 Automatically collected information
We collect limited, non-identifying technical information to improve stability and usability:
- Analytics events (e.g., feature usage, session data) to understand how the App is used.
- Crash & performance logs via Sentry to diagnose and fix issues.
We do not collect your diary content or personally identifying data via analytics or crash logging.
2.3 No sensitive health data processing
The App does not collect or process medical records or sensitive health data beyond the personal notes you choose to enter for your own use. DBT Pal is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice.
2.4 AI features
Some optional features send content to our AI service, which uses OpenAI to generate responses:
- AI Coach sends the messages in your current conversation each time you send one.
- Diary card context for the AI Coach is optional and off until you agree to it. If you allow it, each Coach message also includes the ratings you gave today and the skills you marked as used, so the Coach can take your day into account. It never includes your notes or your Suicidal Ideation rating. You can turn it off at any time in Settings under Share Diary With Coach.
- Check the Facts feedback sends the text you enter in that exercise.
- AI Weekly Insights sends summary statistics only (such as streak, skill counts and top emotions), not your diary text.
These requests are tied to an anonymous device identifier, not your name or an account. Apart from the optional diary card context above, your diary card entries are not sent unless you type them into one of these features. Your AI Coach history is stored on your device. Our AI service passes your text to OpenAI and does not keep a copy of it. It keeps only counters tied to the device identifier (how many requests it made today and how many free Coach messages it has used) and, for subscribers, a short-lived record that the subscription is active.
3. How We Use Information
- Operate, maintain, and improve App features and performance.
- Monitor usage trends to prioritize fixes and enhancements.
- Ensure reliability and debug crashes/performance issues.
We do not use your data for advertising, profiling, or tracking across other apps or websites.
4. Local & iCloud Data
Your diaries and notes are stored on your device. On iPhone, if you turn on the optional backup, a copy of the App's database is stored in your own Apple iCloud account through iCloud Drive. We cannot access, read, or share your iCloud content. The Android app has no cloud backup: your diary stays on your device only, and is lost if you uninstall the App or lose the device.
You may export entries as a PDF using your device's native share sheet and choose how and with whom to share that file.
5. Notifications
The App may send local notifications (e.g., daily reminders). These are generated on-device; no external servers are involved.
6. Payments & Subscriptions
Premium features are offered via in-app subscriptions managed by Apple (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and RevenueCat. Apple or Google processes payments. RevenueCat knows you by the same anonymous device identifier the App uses for the AI features, not your name or an account, and uses it to validate subscription status. Our AI service checks that status with RevenueCat when you use the AI Coach beyond the free messages. RevenueCat also sends subscription events (such as a trial starting or a renewal) to our analytics provider under that identifier. DBT Pal does not collect or store payment card data.
8. Data Retention & Deletion
- Analytics & crash data: retained permanently in aggregated or pseudonymous form for trend and reliability analysis.
- Your content: stored under your control on-device and, on iPhone with backup turned on, in your own iCloud account. Deleting the App removes your content from your device. iCloud backups remain in your account until you delete them.
- AI service counters: the daily request count expires at the end of each day (UTC). The free-message count is kept so the free allowance applies once per device. The subscription record expires after an hour.
We do not maintain user-identifiable backups on our own servers.
9. Children's Privacy
The App is intended for individuals aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have unintentionally collected such information, please contact us so we can delete it.
10. Your Rights & Choices
- Control your data locally (delete entries, delete the App, remove backups from iCloud Drive).
- Manage privacy settings (e.g., analytics sharing) in your device's system settings.
- Contact us with any privacy questions or requests.
For California residents: we do not "sell" or "share" personal information as defined by the CPRA.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. The "Effective date" above reflects the latest version. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.