Privacy Policy — Zoel AI Companion

1 Who We Are

Zoel - AI Companion is developed by EqualInformation as a voice-first, privacy-first AI companion for iOS and Android.

Privacy contact: bpupadhyaya5@gmail.com
Website: bpupadhyaya.github.io

2 Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to the Zoel - AI Companion mobile application for iOS and Android, distributed under the bundle identifier com.equalinformation.zoel.app, and all pages linking to this policy.

3 Data Stored on Your Device

Zoel stores the following data exclusively on your device using AES-256 encryption (SQLCipher). None of this information ever leaves your device to EqualInformation servers:

• Voice input: Captured for speech-to-text (STT) processing. STT runs entirely on-device using Whisper. Audio is never stored or transmitted.
• Health data (opt-in): Read from Apple HealthKit (iOS) or Google Health Connect (Android) with your explicit permission. Processed locally only; never shared or uploaded.
• Calendar data (opt-in): Read from your device calendar with your permission to provide contextually relevant assistance. Stored and processed on-device only.
• Knowledge base: Bundled knowledge (shipped with the app) and any knowledge packs you download are stored locally. No personal data is included in knowledge packs.
• Conversation history: All chat and voice interaction history is stored locally in encrypted form.
• App preferences and settings.

None of this information is transmitted to EqualInformation servers. We do not operate backend servers that receive user data from Zoel.

4 What We Do NOT Collect

EqualInformation does not:

• Collect your name, email address, phone number, or any account information
• Upload voice recordings, conversation history, health data, or calendar data to any server
• Use advertising SDKs, analytics tools, or behavioral tracking of any kind
• Share or sell your data to any third party
• Store or process your personal data on EqualInformation-operated infrastructure

5 Voice & Speech Processing

Voice is the primary interaction mode for Zoel. All speech-to-text conversion is performed on-device using a locally bundled Whisper model. Audio captured by the microphone is processed in real time and immediately discarded — it is never saved to disk or transmitted over a network.

Microphone access is only active while you are actively speaking to Zoel. You can revoke microphone permission at any time through your device's system settings.

6 Health Data

Zoel may optionally read health metrics from Apple HealthKit (iOS) or Google Health Connect (Android) to provide contextually aware assistance. This integration is entirely opt-in and requires your explicit permission.

Health data is processed locally on your device and is never shared, transmitted, or accessible to EqualInformation or any third party. You can revoke health access at any time in your device's privacy settings.

Zoel's use of health information is for personal assistance only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical decisions.

7 Calendar Data

Zoel may optionally read your device calendar to help you manage your schedule and provide time-aware responses. Calendar access is entirely opt-in and requires your explicit permission. Calendar data is processed on-device only and never leaves your device.

8 Layer 3 Internet Enrichment (Optional)

Zoel's three-layer knowledge architecture includes an optional Layer 3 feature that fetches information from trusted web sources to enrich responses with current data. When Layer 3 enrichment is active:

• Queries sent to external sources are anonymized — they contain only the information necessary to answer your question, with no personally identifiable data attached.
• Your name, device identifiers, health data, calendar data, conversation history, and location are never included in Layer 3 queries.
• All network requests use HTTPS.

Layer 3 enrichment is off by default and can be toggled in Settings → Knowledge → Internet Enrichment.

9 Cloud AI (Bring Your Own Key — Optional)

Zoel supports an optional integration with third-party cloud AI providers (such as OpenAI or Anthropic) using your own API key. When this feature is enabled:

• Your queries are sent directly from your device to the provider using your API key — they are not routed through EqualInformation servers.
• The privacy practices of the third-party AI provider apply to those interactions. Please review their respective privacy policies.
• Your API key is stored only on your device in encrypted local storage.

Cloud AI integration is entirely optional. Zoel's core features work fully offline without any API key.

10 Encryption & Security

Zoel applies strong security measures to protect data stored on your device:

• At rest: All locally stored data (conversations, settings, cached knowledge) is encrypted using AES-256 via SQLCipher.
• In transit: Any network requests made by the app (Layer 3 enrichment, cloud AI, external links) use HTTPS exclusively.

11 Device Permissions

Zoel may request the following permissions:

• Microphone: Required for voice-first interaction. All STT processing is on-device. Audio is never stored or transmitted.
• Health (HealthKit / Health Connect): Optional. Requested only if you enable health context. Processed locally only.
• Calendar: Optional. Requested only if you enable calendar access. Processed locally only.
• Network: Used for Layer 3 enrichment (optional), cloud AI with your own key (optional), and loading external links (Privacy Policy, App Support). No personal data is included in network requests.
• Notifications: Optional. For reminders you configure within the app. All notifications are generated locally.

12 In-App Purchases

Zoel may offer optional in-app purchases through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to unlock premium features. These purchases are processed by Apple or Google under their respective terms and privacy policies. EqualInformation does not receive or store your payment card information. Purchase receipts are verified locally on your device.

13 Data Retention & Deletion

All data stored by Zoel resides on your device. To delete your data:

• In-app: Go to Settings → Privacy → Delete All Data. This permanently removes all stored conversations, notes, and cached knowledge.
• iOS: Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Zoel → Delete App
• Android: Settings → Apps → Zoel → Storage → Clear Data, or uninstall the app

Deleting the app or clearing its data removes all information permanently from your device. EqualInformation holds no copy of your data and cannot assist with recovery.

14 Children

Zoel is not directed at children under 13. The app does not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent and believe your child has entered personal data into the app, you can remove it by clearing the app's data or uninstalling it.

15 Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as the app evolves. Material changes will be noted in the app's release notes. The effective date at the top of this page will be updated to reflect any changes. Continued use of the app after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

16 Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled?

Email: bpupadhyaya5@gmail.com
Website: bpupadhyaya.github.io

We typically respond within 1–2 business days.