Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about using Consent Loop.

Getting Started

What is Consent Loop?

Consent Loop is a privacy-focused journaling platform that lets you write encrypted journal entries and share them with your connection at the level of detail you choose. Your entries are encrypted on your device, meaning only you can read the full content.

Is Consent Loop free?

Consent Loop offers a free tier with essential journaling features. Premium features like advanced insights and unlimited entry history are available with a subscription.

What devices can I use?

Consent Loop works on any device with a modern web browser, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Your encrypted entries sync across all your devices.

Privacy & Security

Can you read my journal entries?

No. Your entries are encrypted on your device before they reach our servers. We only store encrypted data that we cannot decrypt. Only you (and connections you explicitly authorize) can read your entries.

What happens if I forget my vault password?

If you forget your vault password and haven't set up recovery options (recovery key or security questions), your encrypted entries will be permanently inaccessible. We cannot recover your password or decrypt your data. This is why we strongly recommend setting up recovery options when you create your vault.

Can law enforcement access my entries?

We cannot provide decrypted journal entries to anyone, including law enforcement, because we don't have access to your encryption keys. We can only provide encrypted data, which is unreadable without your vault password.

Is the AI analyzing my entries?

AI features (like generating summaries) process your content in real-time and do not store your data. Your entries are never used to train AI models. You can use Consent Loop without any AI features if you prefer.

Journaling

How do I create my first entry?

After setting up your vault, go to the Journal section and click "New Entry." Write your thoughts in the editor and click Save. Your entry will be automatically encrypted and stored securely.

Can I edit entries after saving?

Yes, you can edit any of your entries at any time. Simply open the entry and make your changes. The updated content will be re-encrypted and saved.

How do I delete an entry?

Open the entry you want to delete and click the delete option. Deleted entries are removed from our servers and cannot be recovered. Make sure you want to permanently delete before confirming.

Is there a limit to entry length?

There's no strict limit, but we recommend keeping entries under 50,000 characters for optimal performance. For very long reflections, consider breaking them into multiple entries.

Privacy Layers

What are privacy layers?

Privacy layers let you control how much detail to share with your connection:

  • Layer 0: Raw, unedited content
  • Layer 1: Your personal edits/redactions
  • Layer 2: Detailed AI summary
  • Layer 3: Brief 2-3 sentence summary
  • Layer 4: Topics and themes only

Can I change the default sharing layer?

Yes, you can set a default sharing layer for each connection. You can also override this on a per-entry basis when sharing specific entries.

How are summaries generated?

Summaries are generated using AI (Gemini) when you request them. The AI processes your entry in real-time and doesn't store your content. You can review and edit AI-generated summaries before sharing.

Sharing with Connections

How do I connect with my connection?

Your connection can send you an invite link, or you can invite them using their email address. Once connected, you can share entries with them at your chosen privacy layer.

Can my connection see everything I write?

No. Your connection only sees entries you explicitly share, at the privacy layer you choose. They cannot access entries you haven't shared or request access to lower layers without your approval.

How long can my connection view shared entries?

Sharing sessions last 30 minutes by default. After that, your connection needs to request access again. You can revoke access at any time before the session expires.

Can I disconnect from a connection?

Yes, you can disconnect from any connection at any time. This immediately revokes their access to all your shared entries. They will no longer be able to see any of your content.

Insights & Metrics

What are insights?

Insights are patterns and trends identified from your journal entries over time. They can help you understand your emotional patterns, recurring themes, and personal growth.

How are insights calculated?

Insights are calculated locally using AI analysis of your encrypted entries. The analysis happens on-demand and results are encrypted before storage. Only you can see your insights.

Can I share insights with my connection?

Yes, you can choose to share specific insights or metrics with your connection. This can help facilitate discussions about patterns you've noticed in your journaling practice.

Account & Settings

How do I change my vault password?

Go to Settings and select "Change Vault Password." You'll need to enter your current password to verify your identity. All your entries will be re-encrypted with the new password.

Can I export my data?

Yes, you can export all your journal entries from the Settings page. Exports are provided as decrypted files (since you're authenticated), so handle them securely.

How do I delete my account?

Go to Settings and select "Delete Account." This permanently deletes all your data, including encrypted entries, connections, and insights. This action cannot be undone.

Troubleshooting

My vault won't unlock

Make sure you're entering the correct vault password (it's case-sensitive). If you've forgotten your password, try your recovery key or security questions. If you haven't set up recovery options, unfortunately your entries cannot be recovered.

Entries aren't syncing

Check your internet connection and try refreshing the page. If the issue persists, try logging out and back in. Your entries are saved locally while offline and will sync when you're back online.

The app is running slowly

Encryption operations can be intensive on older devices. Try closing other browser tabs or applications. If you have many entries, the initial sync may take longer.

Still Have Questions?

If your question isn't answered here, please reach out: