Terms of Service

Last Updated: March 14, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

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

2. Eligibility & Accounts

You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and for all activities that occur under your account.

3. Phone Number & SMS Authentication

You may create and access your account using your mobile phone number. We will send one-time passcodes (OTPs) by SMS to verify ownership. By providing your phone number, you authorize us to send service and security messages (e.g., verification codes, login alerts). Message and data rates may apply. Frequency varies. OTPs are single-use and time-limited - do not share codes. You are responsible for safeguarding your device and account. If your phone number changes or is compromised, update your account immediately and notify us of any suspected unauthorized use. We may block or rate-limit authentication attempts to prevent fraud or abuse. We use your phone number for authentication, security, and required account communications only. See our Privacy Policy for details.

4. User Content & License

You retain ownership of any content you submit, including journal entries, audio, and reflections ("User Content"). You grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, process, and display User Content solely to provide and improve the Service.

5. AI Output & Third-Party Services

To generate insights and context, we share journal transcripts and growth-moment text with OpenAI for processing. We do not share your name, phone, or email with OpenAI. AI outputs may be inaccurate or incomplete; use your own judgment. We also use Supabase, Sentry, and PostHog to provide the Service. See our Privacy Policy for details.

6. Acceptable Use

You agree not to misuse the Service. The following are examples of prohibited conduct:

• Excessive usage: Initiating an unreasonable number of voice sessions designed to consume system resources rather than for genuine journaling purposes. VākJournal is designed for personal reflective journaling - automated, scripted, or bulk usage is not permitted.
• Content abuse: Using the AI assistant for purposes unrelated to personal journaling and reflection, including but not limited to generating commercial content, circumventing AI safety guidelines, or using the Service as a general-purpose AI assistant.
• Account sharing: Sharing your account credentials with others or allowing multiple individuals to use a single subscription. Each subscription is for one individual's personal use.
• Trial abuse: Creating multiple accounts to repeatedly obtain free trial periods. Free trials are limited to one per person. We reserve the right to revoke trial access if abuse is detected.
• Reverse engineering: Attempting to reverse engineer, decompile, or extract the Service's source code, AI models, or proprietary systems.
• Harmful content: Uploading or generating unlawful, harmful, threatening, or infringing content through the Service.

Consequences of Violations

If we determine that you have violated these terms, we may, at our sole discretion:

1. Issue a warning for first-time or minor violations
2. Temporarily suspend your account and access to the Service
3. Permanently terminate your account without refund
4. Report illegal activity to appropriate authorities

We will make reasonable efforts to notify you before taking action, except where immediate action is necessary to protect the Service or other users. Termination of your account does not automatically cancel your App Store or Google Play subscription - you must cancel it separately.

7. Service Availability & Disruptions

The Service may be interrupted, delayed, or unavailable due to maintenance, upgrades, or failures. We are not responsible for delays or failures outside our reasonable control.

7.1 Service Discontinuation

We reserve the right to discontinue the Service at any time. If we decide to permanently shut down VakJournal:

• We will provide at least 30 days advance notice via email and in-app notification
• During the notice period, you will be able to export all your data (journals, insights, growth moments) in JSON format
• Active subscriptions will not be renewed after the shutdown date. We will cancel all recurring subscriptions before the shutdown takes effect.
• We will not issue refunds for any remaining time on your current billing period, but no further charges will occur
• After the shutdown date, all user data will be deleted from our servers according to the data retention schedule in our Privacy Policy

7.2 Feature Changes

We may add, modify, or remove features of the Service at any time. If we remove a feature that is core to your subscription (e.g., voice journaling or AI insights), we will provide reasonable notice and you may cancel your subscription before the next renewal.

8. Subscriptions & Billing

8.1 Subscription Plans

VākJournal requires a paid subscription to access full features after the free trial period. The following plans are available:

• Monthly: $2.99 per month
• Annual: $24.99 per year

Prices are in US dollars and may vary by region based on App Store and Google Play pricing. We reserve the right to change pricing with reasonable notice.

8.2 Free Trial

New users receive a 7-day free trial with full access to all features. The trial begins when you confirm your subscription through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You will not be charged during the trial period. If you do not cancel before the trial ends, your subscription will automatically convert to a paid subscription at the selected plan rate.

8.3 Automatic Renewal

Subscriptions renew automatically at the end of each billing period (monthly or annually) unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your Apple ID or Google Play account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period.

8.4 Cancellation

You may cancel your subscription at any time through your Apple App Store or Google Play Store account settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period - you retain full access until then.

Important: Uninstalling the app does not cancel your subscription. If you delete VākJournal from your device without canceling your subscription first, you will continue to be charged. To cancel, you must go to your device's subscription settings:

• iOS: Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → VākJournal → Cancel
• Android: Google Play → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions → VākJournal → Cancel

8.5 Refunds

All purchases are processed by Apple (App Store) or Google (Play Store). We do not process refunds directly. To request a refund:

• iOS: Visit reportaproblem.apple.com or contact Apple Support
• Android: Open Google Play → Account → Order history → Request a refund, or contact Google Play Support

Refund eligibility and decisions are made by Apple or Google according to their respective refund policies. We do not offer partial refunds for unused portions of a billing period. If a refund is granted by Apple or Google, your subscription access will be revoked accordingly.

8.6 Lapsed Subscriptions

If your subscription expires or is not renewed, your account enters read-only mode. You may continue to view your past journal entries and insights, but you will not be able to create new voice journal sessions. You may resubscribe at any time to restore full access.

8.7 Grandfathered Users

Users who created accounts before the introduction of paid subscriptions are granted permanent free access to all features ("Lifetime Pro"). This access is non-transferable and tied to the original account.

8.8 Account Deletion and Subscriptions

Deleting your VākJournal account does not automatically cancel your App Store or Google Play subscription. You must cancel your subscription separately through your device's subscription settings to stop future charges. We will remind you of this during the account deletion process.

9. No Medical or Mental Health Advice

The Service provides reflective tools and AI-generated insights for personal growth. It is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or mental health advice. If you are in crisis, seek professional help immediately.

10. Intellectual Property

We retain all rights to the Service, including software, design, and trademarks. These Terms do not grant you any rights to our intellectual property except as necessary to use the Service.

11. Disclaimers

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

12. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE 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 SERVICE.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims, liabilities, damages, and expenses arising out of your use of the Service or violation of these Terms.

14. Changes to the Service or Terms

We may modify or discontinue the Service or update these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

15. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, USA, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

15.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal dispute proceedings, you agree to first contact us at legal@asthrasolutions.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least 30 days. Most concerns can be resolved quickly this way.

15.2 Binding Arbitration

If we cannot resolve a dispute informally, you and VākJournal agree to resolve any claims relating to these Terms or the Service through final and binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, rather than in court. Arbitration will take place in Fulton County, Georgia, or at another mutually agreed location. The arbitrator's decision is final and enforceable in any court.

You and VākJournal each waive the right to a jury trial.

15.3 Class Action Waiver

All disputes must be brought in your individual capacity, not as a plaintiff or class member in any class, consolidated, or representative proceeding. You agree to waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration against VākJournal.

15.4 Exceptions

The following disputes are excluded from arbitration:

• Claims that may be brought in small claims court
• Disputes related to intellectual property infringement
• Requests for injunctive relief to stop unauthorized use of the Service

15.5 Opt-Out

You may opt out of the arbitration and class action waiver provisions by sending written notice to legal@asthrasolutions.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. If you opt out, disputes will be resolved in the courts of Fulton County, Georgia.

16. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at: legal@asthrasolutions.com