Terms of Service
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of Sotie Journal ("Sotie", "the App"), developed by Popov Pavel Gleb, IE ("Developer", "we", "our"). By downloading or using the App, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the App.
If you downloaded Sotie through Apple's App Store, your license to use the iOS app is also subject to Apple's Standard Licensed Application End User License Agreement. These Terms supplement Apple's Standard EULA by covering app-specific features, subscriptions, AI functionality, content handling, and our relationship with you as the developer. If there is a conflict between these Terms and Apple's Standard EULA regarding your App Store license, Apple's Standard EULA will control to the extent of that conflict.
Sotie is a self-reflection journaling tool. It is not therapy, not counseling, and not a substitute for professional mental health care or medical advice.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, or is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services or a crisis helpline immediately:
- Emergency: 911 (US) or your local emergency number
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988(US & Canada)
- Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741 (US)
- International: findahelpline.com
1. Description of Service
Sotie is a privacy-first journaling app with an AI-powered reflection feature called "Go Deeper." The App is designed to support self-reflection through short, question-led conversations. It is not a medical device, not a diagnostic tool, and does not provide clinical, therapeutic, psychological, or medical services of any kind.
Your journal entries are stored locally on your device. When you choose to use AI features, selected text is transmitted for processing through third-party AI services using Zero Data Retention protocols. See our Privacy Policy for details.
2. Eligibility
By using Sotie, you confirm that:
- You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.
- Your use of the App complies with all applicable local, state, national, and international laws.
3. Your Content
You retain full ownership of all journal entries and content you create in Sotie. We do not access, read, or store your journal entries on our servers. Your data belongs to you and exists only on your device.
4. AI Features & Third-Party AI Disclosure
The "Go Deeper" feature uses third-party AI services to generate reflective questions based on your journal entries. By using this feature, you acknowledge and agree that:
- Data transmission: When you activate Go Deeper, the text of your journal entry and conversation context is transmitted to a third-party AI provider for processing. No personal identifiers are included in the request.
- Not professional advice: AI-generated questions are automatic and may not always be accurate, appropriate, or suitable for your situation. AI content does not constitute professional advice of any kind — including medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice.
- Your responsibility: You use AI-generated content at your own discretion and assume full responsibility for any actions you take based on it.
- No guarantee of safety: While we implement safety measures in our AI system, AI responses are generated automatically and we cannot guarantee they will always be appropriate, especially in sensitive or crisis situations.
- Provider changes: We reserve the right to change AI service providers at our discretion. The core commitment — Zero Data Retention, no identifiers, no training on your data — remains regardless of provider.
Sotie is a tool for self-reflection. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please do not rely on the App. Contact a qualified professional or emergency services immediately.
5. Subscriptions and Payments
Sotie offers optional Premium subscriptions processed entirely through Apple's App Store.
- Free trial: New subscribers may be eligible for a free trial period. The trial converts to a paid subscription automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the trial period ends.
- Billing: All purchases are billed to your Apple ID. Prices are displayed in your local currency at the time of purchase.
- Auto-renewal: Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing period (monthly or annually) unless cancelled.
- Cancellation: You may cancel at any time via Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions on your iPhone, or through the App Store. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current paid period.
- Refunds: All refund requests are handled by Apple in accordance with their refund policy. We have no control over refund outcomes. If you are unsatisfied, please contact us at support@sotie.app before requesting a refund — we're happy to help resolve any issues directly.
- Restore Purchases:You can restore a previous purchase at any time using the "Restore Purchases" option in the App.
6. Acceptable Use
You agree not to use Sotie to:
- Upload or transmit unlawful, harmful, threatening, or otherwise objectionable content.
- Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or tamper with the App.
- Use the App in any manner inconsistent with these Terms or Apple's App Store Review Guidelines.
- Use the App as a replacement for professional mental health care, crisis intervention, or medical treatment.
- Use the App in violation of applicable export control, sanctions, or trade laws.
7. Privacy
Your use of Sotie is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review it to understand our data practices, including how your data is handled when using AI features.
8. Disclaimer of Warranties
The App is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that:
- The App will operate without interruption or error.
- AI-generated questions will be helpful, accurate, safe, or suitable for your situation.
- The App will meet your particular needs or expectations.
- The App is suitable for use in any situation involving personal safety, crisis, or medical decision-making.
9. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Developer shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or inability to use the App, including but not limited to:
- Loss of data resulting from device failure, app deletion, or operating system updates.
- Reliance on AI-generated content, including any actions taken based on AI-generated questions.
- Emotional distress arising from use of the App or its AI features, unless caused by our gross negligence or willful misconduct.
- Any harm resulting from the App's inability to detect or respond to a crisis situation.
For the iOS app distributed through Apple's App Store, any liability limitations in Apple's Standard EULA continue to apply. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and for matters not governed by Apple's Standard EULA, the Developer's total liability under these Terms will not exceed the amount you paid for the App in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.
10. App Store License and App-Specific Terms
If you download Sotie through Apple's App Store, your license to use the app is governed by Apple's Standard EULA and the applicable Usage Rules set forth in Apple's Media Services Terms and Conditions. These Terms do not replace that App Store license. Instead, they supplement it by describing rules specific to Sotie's AI features, subscriptions, content handling, support, and related services.
To the extent we make any website content, documentation, or support materials available to you outside the App Store license itself, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable right to access and use those materials solely in connection with your lawful use of Sotie.
11. Intellectual Property
All content within the App — including but not limited to design, text, graphics, and code — is the property of Popov Pavel Gleb, IE and protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, or distribute any part of the App without prior written permission.
12. Third-Party Services
The App relies on third-party services for AI processing, analytics, feedback, and payment handling. Your use of the App may be subject to those services' terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the practices of any third-party service provider. For a complete list of third-party services, see Section 8 of our Privacy Policy.
You are also responsible for complying with any applicable third-party terms when you use features, content, or services made available through Sotie.
13. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
For issues governed by Apple's Standard EULA, including your App Store license to the iOS app, the governing law and forum provisions in Apple's Standard EULA apply. For all other matters arising under these Terms, these Terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Developer operates, without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from or related to these Terms or the App will first be attempted to be resolved directly via support@sotie.app. If a dispute cannot be resolved amicably, it shall be submitted to the courts of the Developer's jurisdiction.
14. Changes to Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. Changes will be reflected by updating the "Effective date" at the top. If we make material changes, we will take reasonable steps to notify you, such as through an in-app notice. To the extent permitted by applicable law, your continued use of the App after the updated Terms become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
15. Contact
Questions about these Terms? Reach us at support@sotie.app.
Apple, iPhone, and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.