01 / faq
Questions,
answered.
If a question isn't here, write to us. We answer everyone, slowly and on purpose. The most common questions are below, grouped by what they're really about.
02 / privacy & encryption
Who can hear
my recordings?
Are my recordings private to the recipient?
Yes. Each recording is encrypted at the time of seal with a key derived from the recipient's identity. Until the delivery condition you set is met, no one else can decrypt the file — not us, not anyone. The recording exists in the vault but is unreadable by every party except its intended recipient.
Can Legacy Journal staff listen to my recordings?
No. Engineering can see metadata (file size, duration, recipient name) for support and billing purposes. We cannot decrypt the audio. If you write to us about a recording you can't find, we can confirm it exists; we cannot tell you what it says.
Where is the data stored?
Audio files are kept in encrypted cold storage on geographically distributed disks. Transcripts and metadata live in a hardened database with row-level encryption. Backups happen nightly. We can name the providers if you want them; that information is on the privacy page.
What happens if Legacy Journal is sold or shuts down?
Our covenant says: we will export every recording to the email it was registered under, on hardware delivered to your physical address if you request it, before any wind-down. If we are sold, the buyer must agree in writing to keep this covenant. If they don't, we don't sell.
03 / heirs & delivery
When and how
does it reach
my family?
Do my heirs need an account?
They need an email address. When the delivery condition is met, they receive a sign-in link. There is no signup, no monthly fee, no surface to maintain — just the recordings meant for them.
Can I deliver while I'm still alive?
Yes. You can hand-deliver any recording on the day you make it, or schedule it for any future date, or tie it to an event (birthday, graduation, anniversary). Living delivery is the most common; the posthumous case is built but rarely the primary use.
How does posthumous delivery work?
You name a successor — a person you trust to confirm your passing. When the successor confirms (with documentation we'll specify), recordings flagged for posthumous delivery are released to their named recipients on the timeline you set. We add a 72-hour grace period before any release.
Can I revoke a delivery?
Yes, until the moment of delivery. After delivery, the recipient owns their copy and you cannot retract it. We notify you 14 days before any scheduled posthumous release so you have time to revoke.
What if the recipient predeceases me?
You can re-assign or merge. Recordings can be re-keyed to a different recipient at any time before delivery. The original audio is preserved; only the encryption key changes.
04 / recording quality
About the
recording itself.
What devices work?
Phones (iOS and Android), tablets, laptops, desktops. Native iOS and Android apps; web-based capture for desktops. AirPods and similar wireless mics work fine. We test against the most common configurations every release.
What if my audio quality is bad?
An automatic check runs after each ritual and flags low-quality recordings — usually background noise or a microphone too far away. We'll prompt you to re-record. Nothing is sealed without you accepting the audio as it stands.
Can I edit the recording after?
You can edit the transcript — correct misspellings, add context, write a brief introduction. You cannot edit the audio itself. The voice is the thing; we don't modify it.
How long can a session be?
Up to 90 minutes per ritual. Most run 5–20. Beyond 90, we suggest splitting — not for technical reasons, but because the work loses focus and the recording starts to drift.
05 / billing & access
About money.
Why does the demo require an invitation?
We're admitting users in small cohorts so we can answer every email and ship features people actually want. As capacity grows, the wait shortens. It's currently a few days.
Can I switch plans?
Yes. Upgrades take effect immediately. Downgrades take effect at the end of the current billing period. Recordings made under a higher tier remain accessible after a downgrade.
Refund policy?
Full refund within 30 days of any subscription start, no questions asked. Beyond 30 days, contact us; we err on the side of yes.
Family Covenant — is the price truly one-time?
Yes. The Family Covenant is a single payment that covers permanent storage and the estate-handover process for up to five storytellers. There is no annual fee.
06 / still have a question?
Write to us.
Slowly, on purpose.
If your question isn't above, the answer is probably worth writing properly. Send a note — we read every one and reply within a few days, sometimes faster.