Privacy policy
Vichar is built to keep your practice private. The questions you ask, the answers you get and your journal stay on your phone. There’s no account to create, no ads, and we don’t sell your information or share it for advertising.
Who we are
Vichar is made by AI Operative (“we” or “us”). This policy explains what information the Vichar app and this website handle, and why. If you have a question about it, email info@ai-operative.com.
Information that stays on your device
Most of what you do in Vichar is stored only in the app on your phone. We can’t see it. This includes:
- The questions you ask and the answers Vichar gives. Answers are generated by an AI model that runs on your phone, so your questions are not sent to us or to any AI company.
- Your journal entries, reflections, practice plans and learning progress.
- Your settings, such as language, reminder times and Nitnem choices.
- Basic usage statistics, such as which features you’ve opened. They stay in the app on your phone and are never sent to us or anyone else.
- Your request to hear about Vichar Family. Tapping Notify me saves that choice on your phone only. We don’t collect your email or any contact details for it.
Depending on your phone’s settings, this information may be included in your own iCloud or Google device backup, which is handled by Apple or Google under your account with them.
Information that leaves your device
Daily Hukamnama
Each day, Vichar requests the Hukamnama from Sri Harmandir Sahib from BaniDB, a service run by Khalis Foundation. The request contains no personal information. Like any internet request, it shows that service your device’s IP address.
AI model download
When you turn on on-device AI, Vichar downloads the AI model file once, over Wi-Fi. The server providing the file receives your IP address and basic request details. Nothing you type is sent.
Live kirtan
When you tune in to live kirtan from the Gurdwara, Vichar streams the audio from the broadcaster’s server. Like any stream, that server receives your device’s IP address and basic request details. Nothing you write in Vichar is sent.
Subscriptions
Vichar Premium is sold through the App Store and Google Play. Apple or Google processes your payment, and we never receive your card details. We use RevenueCat to confirm whether your subscription is active and to let you restore it on a new device. RevenueCat receives a random ID that Vichar creates for your app, your purchase and subscription history, and basic device details such as platform, operating system and app version, and store country.
What we don’t do
- We don’t show ads.
- We don’t sell your information or share it for advertising.
- We don’t track you across other companies’ apps or websites.
- Vichar doesn’t ask for your location, contacts or photos, and doesn’t require an account.
Reminders, widgets and Apple Watch
Reminders are scheduled on your phone. You choose whether to allow notifications and can turn them off at any time in the app or in your phone’s settings. Home-screen widgets and the Apple Watch app show content Vichar has already saved on your device, such as today’s Hukamnama.
Sensitive topics
Questions about faith, grief or personal struggles can be deeply personal. That’s why Vichar answers them on your phone. If Vichar notices that you may be going through something hard, it shows ways to reach people who can help. That check also runs on your device.
How long we keep information
Information stored on your phone stays until you delete it in the app or delete the app. Subscription records held by RevenueCat are kept for as long as needed to provide and verify your subscription and to meet legal and tax requirements.
Deleting your information
To remove what’s on your phone, delete entries in the app or delete the app. To ask us to delete information held by our providers, such as subscription records, email info@ai-operative.com. Because Vichar has no accounts, we may ask for your App Store or Google Play order number so we can find the right records.
Children
Vichar is made for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. Some learning content is written for young learners to use with a parent or guardian. We don’t knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has sent us personal information, contact us and we’ll delete it.
Your choices and rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to ask what personal information we hold about you, to correct it, to delete it, or to object to how it’s used. Email us and we’ll respond within 30 days.
Security
We collect as little as we can. Information that does leave your device travels over encrypted connections.
Changes to this policy
If we change this policy, we’ll post the new version here and update the date at the top. If a change is significant, we’ll also let you know in the app.
Contact
AI Operative
Email: info@ai-operative.com