Privacy Policy
Last updated: 26 August 2026
Jackal identifies music playing around you and keeps a record of it. This policy describes what the app actually does with your data, in plain terms.
Microphone and audio
Jackal captures short audio samples — around 8 to 18 seconds — to identify music. This happens when you tap to search, and continuously in the background if you have turned background listening on.
Audio leaves your device. Samples are sent to our servers and on to our recognition providers to be matched. They are used for identification and are not kept as part of your history.
If your device is offline when a sample is captured, it is stored on your device until it can be sent, then removed.
Background listening is off until you turn it on, and you can turn it off at any time in Settings.
Location
If you grant location access, Jackal records where each song was heard. This is what makes the map work — it is a core feature, not an optional extra. Coordinates are stored alongside each recognition. You can decline location access and the rest of the app still works.
What we store
- Your email address, display name, and profile picture if you set one
- Your recognitions: song, artist, album, artwork, genre, time, and location
- Your playlists, favourites, and festival activity
- Your device timezone, so daily limits reset at your local midnight
- Your follows, followers, and any direct messages you send
- A push notification token, if you allow notifications
- Anonymised usage analytics
Calendar
If you use festival schedule import and grant calendar access, Jackal reads your calendar to find events. Calendar contents are read on your device and are not uploaded.
Who else sees your data
- ACRCloud and AudD — receive audio samples to identify music
- Spotify, Deezer, and Apple — receive song and artist names to look up artwork and previews
- Apple — handles subscription purchases; we never see your payment details
- PostHog — anonymised usage analytics
- Our hosting and database providers, which store the data described above
We do not sell your data, and we do not share it for advertising.
Other people
If you follow someone or accept a follow, they can see your recognition activity. Direct messages are visible to you and the person you send them to. You can block or report any user from their profile.
Deleting your data
You can delete your account and everything associated with it from Settings, or by emailing privacy@usejackal.com. Deletion is permanent.
Children
Jackal is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their data.
Changes
If this policy changes materially, we will update the date above and note the change in the app.
Contact
Questions: privacy@usejackal.com.