Field notes · September 23, 2026
Private AI journaling: what to check before you write
Understand where an entry lives, when a provider receives it, and what sharing means.
Private has more than one meaning
A journal can be hidden from other members while still being processed by the company’s infrastructure. Encryption in transit is different from end-to-end encryption. Before using any journal app, look for a plain explanation of who can process the data, where it is stored and how to delete it. Do not infer these protections from the word “private” alone.
Separate writing from asking for help
In FIREBIRD, typing and saving an entry does not by itself request an AI reflection. When you ask for one, choose the material you want included. Your private journal is not automatically added to every live voice conversation. That distinction lets you use a journal without turning every entry into a provider request.
Know the cloud boundary
FIREBIRD uses Anthropic for text assistance and OpenAI for optional live voice. Provider processing and retention policies apply when those features are used. FIREBIRD is not an end-to-end encrypted journal and does not currently promise zero provider retention. Native entries, account backup and web storage have different roles; read our privacy page before choosing what to store or send.
Share deliberately
Publishing a public note creates a separate public copy. Shared challenge comments and check-ins are visible to their intended audience. Avoid putting private details into an invitation, public receipt or challenge conversation. Removing a public page cannot recall a screenshot someone already saved.
Keep your own copy
Check sync status and export important writing before deleting an app, resetting a device or switching installations. Unsynced local entries may have no account copy. A journal should make it easy to understand those limits. Our privacy page explains providers, account deletion, calendars, health access and messages in more detail.