Privacy Policy — Cortex

Effective Date: January 2026
App Name: Cortex
Developer: Sean Dickson

Cortex (“we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have regarding your data when you use the Cortex mobile application (the “App”).

By using Cortex, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

Cortex collects information to provide core functionality such as habit tracking, journaling, and personalized insights.

A. Information You Provide

When you use Cortex, you may provide:

• Habits and routines: habit names, goals, schedules, completion logs

• Journal entries and notes: text you voluntarily enter

• App preferences: settings, reminders, and UI preferences

• Support communications: messages sent to our support email
  
  

B. Automatically Collected Information

Cortex may automatically collect limited technical information, including:

• Device information: device model, operating system version

• App usage information: screens viewed, session duration, crash logs

• Identifiers: basic device identifiers or app instance identifiers (non-personal where possible)
  
  

This information helps us maintain and improve the App.

C. Sensitive Information

Cortex does not intentionally collect sensitive personal data such as:

• government ID numbers

• financial account details

• biometric identifiers

• medical records

However, if you choose to write sensitive information in your journal entries, Cortex may store it because it is part of your app content.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• Provide core App functionality (habit logging, calendar tracking, streaks)

• Generate metrics and analytics such as success rate and trends

• Provide AI-powered insights and summaries when enabled

• Improve App performance, reliability, and user experience

• Respond to customer support requests

• Detect fraud, abuse, or security issues

3. AI Insights and Journal Content

Cortex offers AI-driven insights that may be generated from:

• habit completion patterns

• activity history

• journal entries and notes (if you use the Journal feature)

We only use your content to provide features within Cortex. We do not use personal habit/journal content to advertise to you.

Important: AI insights may be generated using third-party AI services (e.g., an LLM API) depending on the version of Cortex you are using. If used, content may be transmitted securely to generate insights and returned to the App.

4. Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell your personal data.

We may share limited data with service providers only to operate the App, such as:

• cloud storage services (to store user data)

• analytics tools (to understand usage and performance)

• crash reporting tools (to detect and fix bugs)

• AI providers (to generate AI insights, if enabled)

These third parties are permitted to use data only to provide services on our behalf and must protect it.

5. Analytics and Tracking

Cortex may use analytics tools to improve functionality and user experience.

Analytics information may include:

• feature usage statistics

• performance metrics

• crash logs and error diagnostics

Where possible, analytics is collected in aggregate and is not used to personally identify you.

6. Data Storage and Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your information, including:

• encryption in transit (HTTPS / TLS)

• secure storage practices

• limiting access to user data

No system is 100% secure, but we work hard to protect your information.

7. Your Choices and Rights

Depending on how Cortex is implemented, you may be able to:

• edit or delete habits and journal entries inside the App

• disable journaling and AI insights

• request deletion of your account and stored data
  
  

8. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as necessary to:

• provide the App’s services

• comply with legal obligations

• resolve disputes

• enforce agreements

If you request deletion, we will delete or anonymize your data unless we are required to keep it for legal reasons.

9. Children’s Privacy

Cortex is not intended for children under the age of 13 (or under the minimum age required by your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child provided data, contact us and we will delete it.

10. International Users

If you access Cortex outside the United States, your information may be transferred to and processed in countries where data protection laws may differ from your jurisdiction.

We take steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place where required.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If changes are significant, we will provide notice in the App or via an updated “Effective Date.”