Last Updated: September 26, 2026
Dharma Wellness is built with privacy as the foundation. We don't collect, store, or transmit any user data. Period.
❌ No personal information - We don't ask for your name, email, phone number, or any identifying information ❌ No analytics - We don't track how you use the app ❌ No crash reports - We don't collect crash data or error logs ❌ No telemetry - We don't monitor performance or usage patterns ❌ No advertising IDs - We don't use ad tracking or marketing identifiers ❌ No location tracking - GPS data you stamp into journal entries stays with your journal, on your device and in your own iCloud (if it's on) ❌ No photos sent to us - Photos you attach to journals stay with your journal, on your device and in your own iCloud (if it's on) ❌ No voice notes sent to us - Voice recordings stay with your journal, on your device and in your own iCloud (if it's on) ❌ No server connections - We don't have servers, because we don't collect data
All meditation data is stored on your device. When iCloud is on, everything below except custom quotes is also copied to your own private iCloud:
- Meditation session history
- Journal entries (text, moods, intentions, notes)
- Photos attached to journals
- Voice notes and recordings
- GPS location stamps
- Custom quotes
- Statistics and streaks
We cannot access this data. Ever.
When iCloud is on for Dharma Wellness, your meditation sessions, journal entries, and the journals' photos, voice notes, drawings and location stamps are copied to the app's container in your own iCloud. Custom quotes are copied too if you turn on Settings › Data › iCloud sync. In short:
- Your data syncs between YOUR devices using Apple's encrypted iCloud
- We never see, access, or store your iCloud data
- Apple's privacy policy applies to iCloud storage
- To keep everything on this device only, turn iCloud off for Dharma Wellness in iOS Settings → [your name] → iCloud
If you enable HealthKit (Settings → HealthKit):
- Mindful minutes are written to Apple Health on your device
- We never access or collect this health data
- Apple's privacy policy applies to Health data
If you use the Watch app:
- Session data syncs between iPhone and Watch using Apple's WatchConnectivity framework
- Data stays on YOUR devices only
- We never see or access this synced data
If you enable Research Mode (Settings → Research Mode):
- You can export YOUR data as CSV or JSON files
- Export happens locally on your device
- You control the exported file - email it, save it, analyze it yourself
- We never receive, collect, or see your exported research data
- Research data includes validated psychological scales (POMS, PHQ-2, etc.) for academic research
- You can disable Research Mode anytime and all research data stays local
We use ZERO third-party services:
- No analytics (not even Apple Analytics)
- No crash reporting tools
- No advertising networks
- No social media SDKs
- No tracking pixels
- No server backends
We only request permissions for features you use:
| Permission | Why | When |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Daily meditation reminders | When you enable reminders |
| Microphone | Voice note recording | When you tap the voice note button |
| Photos | Attach photos to journal entries | When you tap the photo button |
| Location | GPS stamp into journal notes | When you tap the location button |
| HealthKit | Write mindful minutes | When you enable HealthKit in settings |
| Calendar | Add sessions to Apple Calendar | When you enable calendar sync |
| iCloud | Sync between your devices | Sessions, journals and their media: whenever iCloud is on for Dharma Wellness. Custom quotes: when you also turn on Settings › Data › iCloud sync |
All permissions are optional. The app works without granting any of them.
Dharma Wellness does not collect data from anyone, including children under 13. The app is designed for all ages and contains no data collection, advertising, or external links (except to our website).
If we ever change this privacy policy (spoiler: we won't, because we don't collect data), we'll update this file and the "Last Updated" date above.
Questions about privacy?
Email: privacy@dharmawellnessinstitute.com Website: https://dharmawellnessinstitute.com
Dharma Wellness is developed by Dharma Wellness Institute.
Our promise: Your meditation practice is sacred. We will never collect, sell, or share your data because we don't have it in the first place.
Since we don't collect any data, there's nothing for us to delete.
If you want to delete data from YOUR device:
- Delete individual sessions and journal entries in the App, or every journal at once with Delete All Journals (Settings › Journal Settings › data management), which also removes the iCloud copies
- To delete iCloud data: iOS Settings → [your name] → iCloud → manage storage → Dharma Wellness → delete its data
- To delete the app entirely: Long-press the app icon → Delete App
You can verify our privacy claims:
- The app has no network code for sending data to servers
- The app has no analytics SDKs or tracking frameworks
- The app stores everything in local UserDefaults and iCloud (if enabled)
- View our code: Available upon request for security researchers
Bottom line: We can't violate your privacy because we don't collect your data. Your meditation practice is yours alone.
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