Terms of Service
Effective Date: March 12, 2026
Welcome to Ulia. Ulia is operated by Very Machine, Inc. ("we", "us", or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Ulia mobile application and related services (collectively, the "Service"). Please read these Terms carefully before using the Service.
By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.
1. About the Service
Ulia is a voice-first personal reflection application that helps you understand yourself better through voice journaling. The Service includes:
- Recording voice notes about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences
- AI-powered transcription and organization of your recordings
- Search across your past notes to surface patterns and connections
- Visual timelines showing how your thoughts and feelings change over time
- Crisis detection that surfaces professional support resources when appropriate
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 16 years old to use the Service. If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent or guardian's permission to use the Service. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements.
3. Account Registration
To use certain features of the Service, you must create an account. When you create an account, you agree to:
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information
- Maintain and promptly update your account information
- Maintain the security of your account credentials
- Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
You may not use another person's account without permission. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or that we believe, in our sole discretion, are being used fraudulently.
4. Your Content
Voice Notes
The Service allows you to record and store voice notes ("User Content"). Your voice notes are private and are never shared with or visible to other users.
License to Ulia
By recording voice notes on Ulia, you grant Ulia a worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, process, and store your User Content solely for the purpose of providing the Service to you. This includes the right to:
- Store your audio recordings on our servers
- Process your recordings with AI systems for transcription and organization
- Generate search indexes to enable you to search your past notes
- Display your transcribed content back to you
This license is limited to providing the Service to you personally. Your content is never shared with other users, used for advertising, or sold to third parties. This license terminates when you delete your content or your account.
Account Deletion and Your Content
If you delete your account, all of your voice notes and associated data are permanently deleted. We comply fully with data protection laws including GDPR and CCPA.
Content Moderation
Voice notes are automatically processed to detect content that may violate our terms, including threats of violence toward others and hate speech. Normal emotional expression, venting, frustration, and processing difficult feelings are not moderated. These are core to the journaling experience. We reserve the right to terminate accounts that are used to create content that violates these Terms.
5. Crisis Detection
Ulia includes a crisis detection feature that identifies when voice notes may indicate self-harm or suicidal ideation. When crisis content is detected:
- Your voice note is processed and saved normally and is never rejected or censored
- Professional support resources (crisis hotlines, text lines) are surfaced to you
- No notifications are sent to third parties
Ulia is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you are in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 in the US) or your local emergency services.
6. AI-Generated Content
The Service uses artificial intelligence for transcription, classification, summarization, and answering your questions. You acknowledge that:
- AI-generated transcriptions may contain errors or inaccuracies
- Search results are approximations and may not perfectly reflect your intent
- Responses to your questions are based solely on your past notes and may miss relevant context
- Ulia does not provide medical, psychological, or professional advice
- AI-generated content is provided for personal reflection purposes only
7. Subscription and Payments
Free and Paid Tiers
The Service offers both free and paid subscription tiers. The free tier ("Insight") lets you try the Service at your own pace with a limited capacity that never expires.
Paid subscriptions provide higher levels of capacity:
- Reflection ($4.99/month): Expanded daily capacity with plenty of room to think out loud
- Clarity ($9.99/month): Our highest capacity tier, for when journaling becomes a habit
Usage and Capacity
Each tier includes a defined level of capacity for using the Service. Different actions may consume varying amounts of capacity. We reserve the right to adjust capacity levels, usage rates, and how capacity is measured as we evolve the Service. We will provide reasonable notice for changes that materially reduce the capacity available under paid tiers.
Billing and Automatic Renewal
Subscriptions automatically renew each billing period until you cancel. You will be charged the then-current subscription price at the beginning of each renewal period. By subscribing, you authorize us to charge your payment method for each renewal until you cancel.
Price Changes
We may change subscription prices at any time. We will provide at least 30 days notice before price changes take effect. Price changes will apply at the start of your next billing period following the notice period.
Cancellation and Downgrade
You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings or app store settings. Cancellation will take effect at the end of your current billing period. You will continue to have access to paid features until then. If you downgrade or cancel:
- Your existing voice notes and data remain as-is
- You retain access to all features available in your current tier
- The capacity limits of the free tier will apply to new usage
Refunds
Subscription fees are generally non-refundable, except where required by law. Refund requests are handled by Apple or Google according to their respective policies. You can manage your subscription through your account settings, which will direct you to the appropriate platform.
Service Modifications
We are continuously improving and evolving the Service. We reserve the right to modify, add, or discontinue any features, functionality, or content of the Service at any time. We will endeavor to provide reasonable notice for substantial changes that affect paid subscription features.
Material Changes to Subscription Features
If we make material changes that substantially reduce the core functionality of paid subscription features, we will provide at least 30 days advance notice. In such cases, you may cancel your subscription before the changes take effect through your Apple App Store or Google Play account settings. Routine updates, bug fixes, feature additions, and minor adjustments do not constitute material changes.
8. Prohibited Conduct
You agree not to:
- Use the Service for any illegal purpose or in violation of any laws
- Use the Service to create content containing threats of violence toward identifiable individuals
- Use the Service to create content promoting hate speech or discrimination
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Service, other accounts, or computer systems
- Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers or networks connected to the Service
- Use automated means (bots, scrapers, etc.) to access the Service without our permission
- Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any aspect of the Service
- Circumvent any access controls or usage limits
- Create multiple accounts to circumvent bans or restrictions
9. Intellectual Property
Ulia Property
The Service and its original content (excluding User Content), features, and functionality are and will remain the exclusive property of Ulia and its licensors. The Service is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Our trademarks and trade dress may not be used without our prior written consent.
Feedback
If you provide us with feedback, suggestions, or ideas about the Service, you grant us the right to use such feedback without restriction or compensation to you.
10. Third-Party Services
The Service integrates with and relies on third-party services, including:
- Third-party AI services for audio transcription and content processing
- Cloud storage and hosting providers
- Payment processing through Apple App Store and Google Play (in-app)
These third-party services have their own terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, availability, or practices of third-party services. Your use of third-party services is at your own risk.
11. Disclaimers
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT:
- The Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
- AI-generated transcriptions or search results will be accurate, complete, or current
- The Service will meet your expectations for self-improvement or mental health
- Any errors in the Service will be corrected
NOT A MEDICAL SERVICE
ULIA IS NOT A MEDICAL DEVICE, THERAPY SERVICE, OR SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE. THE SERVICE IS DESIGNED FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION ONLY. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, PLEASE CONTACT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL OR CALL THE 988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE.
12. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ULIA AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
- Loss of profits, data, use, or goodwill
- Reliance on AI-generated content, transcriptions, or search results
- Service interruption or data loss
- Any damages arising from your use of or inability to use the Service
- Any mental or emotional harm arising from the use of or reliance on the Service
IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID TO US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100), WHICHEVER IS GREATER.
SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
13. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Ulia and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and licensors from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:
- Your use of the Service
- Your User Content
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your violation of any rights of another person or entity
- Your violation of any applicable laws
14. Termination
By You
You may stop using the Service and delete your account at any time through the app settings or by contacting us.
By Us
We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Reasons for termination may include, but are not limited to:
- Violation of these Terms
- Conduct that we believe is harmful to the Service or its infrastructure
- Repeated content policy violations
- Requests by law enforcement
Effect of Termination
Upon termination or account deletion:
- Your right to use the Service will immediately cease
- All voice notes and associated data are permanently deleted
- Your account data (email, settings) is deleted
Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnification, and limitations of liability.
15. Dispute Resolution
Informal Resolution
Before initiating any arbitration or court proceeding, you agree to first contact us at support@ulia.app and attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will try to resolve the dispute within 60 days.
Binding Arbitration
If we cannot resolve a dispute informally, you and Ulia agree to resolve any claims relating to these Terms or the Service through final and binding arbitration. The American Arbitration Association (AAA) will administer the arbitration under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. Arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator, and the proceedings may be conducted remotely. The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding.
Arbitration Fees
If you initiate arbitration, you will pay the consumer filing fee set by the AAA. Ulia will pay all remaining AAA fees and arbitrator compensation. If the arbitrator finds that your claim was frivolous or brought in bad faith, you agree to reimburse Ulia for all fees associated with the arbitration.
Class Action Waiver
YOU AND ULIA AGREE THAT EACH PARTY MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
Exceptions to Arbitration
Either party may: (1) bring an individual action in small claims court; (2) seek injunctive or equitable relief for intellectual property infringement; or (3) pursue claims that applicable law does not permit to be arbitrated.
Opt-Out Right
You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to support@ulia.app within 30 days of first accepting these Terms.
Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
Jurisdiction
For any disputes not subject to arbitration, you and Ulia agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal or state courts located in California.
16. Changes to Terms
We may modify these Terms at any time. We will always update the "Effective Date" at the top of these Terms when changes are made. For material changes, we will provide at least 30 days advance notice by posting a notice in the app and/or sending an email to your registered address.
Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of any changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
17. General Provisions
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Ulia regarding the Service.
Waiver
Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect.
Assignment
You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights under them without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms without restriction.
18. Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us at:
Very Machine, Inc.
Email: support@ulia.app