Privacy Policy — FaithOnline

This Privacy Policy explains how Faith Online LLC. (“FaithOnline,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you access or use our website, products, services, and features (collectively, the “Platform”).

By using FaithOnline, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Who We Are

Faith Online LLC. FaithOnline is a private, Christ-centered community shaped by our Statement of Faith and Community Standards. Our Platform is designed to foster spiritual encouragement, fellowship, and community grounded in shared biblical conviction.

Legal entity: Faith Online LLC.
Brand name: FaithOnline
Registered: Delaware, USA
Contact: support@faith.online

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly, information we collect automatically when you use the Platform, and information we receive from third parties.

A. Information you provide.

This includes, but is not limited to:

Account and identity information. When you sign up, we collect your name, email address, password (stored in encrypted/hashed form), and any profile details you choose to add such as a photo, bio, location, denomination, gender, age, or language preference. Denomination, and any profile detail that reveals your religious affiliation, is treated as sensitive personal information and is collected only with your consent. These profile fields are optional, you control who can see them, and you can edit or delete them at any time. For members under 18, age and denomination are private by default. All accounts on FaithOnline must be tied to a real identity. We do not allow anonymous participation, which is core to maintaining community trust.
Organization profile and directory information. If you create or claim a church, ministry, or business profile, we collect the organization's name, address, contact details, hours of operation, leadership information, and any descriptive content you provide. Where applicable and subject to verification and legal requirements, we may also collect documentation supporting your claim to the listing.
Content you submit. Posts, comments, prayer requests, testimonies, reactions, photos, videos, and any other content you contribute to the Platform.
Communications. Messages you send to other community members, prayer requests you share within groups, and any communications with our support team.

B. Information we collect automatically.

Device and usage data. Device type, operating system version, app version, IP address, browser type (for web), session timestamps, pages or features accessed, and similar diagnostic information.
Cookies, SDKs, and similar technologies. On the web. We use cookies and similar technologies (such as web beacons and pixels) to support sign-in, remember your preferences, understand how the Platform is used, and support security. Most browsers let you control or disable cookies through browser settings; some Platform features may not function properly without them. In the mobile app. The mobile app does not use cookies in the traditional sense. Instead, we use device identifiers and software development kits (SDKs) from our service providers (such as Auth0, Firebase, GetStream, and Mixpanel) to support authentication, deliver content, monitor performance, send notifications, and understand usage. You can manage many of these device-level data flows through your device's privacy settings, including iOS App Tracking Transparency for any future tracking-related features.
Approximate location. We may infer your approximate location (such as city or region) from your IP address to support security, fraud prevention, content relevance, and platform analytics. We do not collect precise GPS or device-level location unless a future feature specifically requires it and you grant the permission through your device settings.
Precise location for opted-in features. Certain Platform features, such as finding nearby churches, ministries, or community events in our directory, require precise device-level location (GPS). We request your permission through your device's location services before accessing precise location, and we only collect precise location when you have actively granted permission and are using a feature that requires it. You can revoke this permission at any time through your device's location settings; revoking permission disables location-dependent features but does not affect other Platform functionality.
Push notifications. FaithOnline does not currently send push notifications and does not collect push notification tokens. If we introduce push notifications in the future, then with your permission we will receive a unique device token through our push provider (currently Firebase) to deliver the notifications you choose to receive, and we will update this Privacy Policy and our App Store disclosures before that feature goes live. You will be able to disable push notifications at any time through your device settings.

C. Information from third parties.

If you sign in using a third-party service (such as Google or Apple), we receive basic profile information from that service as authorized by you. We may also receive limited information from analytics providers to help us understand Platform usage in aggregate.

A note on sensitive information. FaithOnline is a Christ-centered community, and the content you choose to share, including prayer requests, testimonies, confessions, and reflections on your faith, is personal and often sacred. We treat your User Content according to your privacy settings and this Privacy Policy, and we apply heightened protections to information that reveals religious beliefs or affiliations (see Section 9, Your Privacy Rights and Choices). Please share thoughtfully. Information you post publicly within the Platform can be seen by other community members, and we encourage you to use discretion when sharing content that involves others.

3. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to operate, protect, and improve FaithOnline, and to support our mission of helping believers grow in faith and connect in trusted community. Specifically, we use information to:

Operate the Platform. Create and maintain your account, deliver content you follow, enable messaging and community features, process your requests, and provide customer support.
Personalize your experience. Suggest churches, ministries, creators, and communities aligned with your interests; surface relevant content in your Formation Feed and other discovery surfaces; remember your preferences across sessions.
Communicate with you. Send transactional and account notifications (such as password resets, security alerts, and updates to this policy); respond to your inquiries; and, with your consent, share product updates, ministry highlights, and community announcements. You can opt out of non-essential communications at any time.
Protect the community and the Platform. Detect, prevent, and respond to abuse, fraud, security incidents, and violations of our Statement of Faith, Community Standards, or Terms of Service. This includes reviewing reports submitted by community members, evaluating content flagged by automated systems, and taking action where appropriate.
Improve FaithOnline. Understand how the Platform is used; identify problems and bugs; test new features; and measure the effectiveness of our content and discovery tools. We use aggregated and de-identified data where possible.
Comply with legal obligations. Respond to lawful requests from courts, government agencies, or other authorized entities; enforce our rights and the rights of our community members; and prevent harm to people or property.
Support faith-based features. Where you share information that reveals your religious beliefs or affiliations (such as agreeing to our Statement of Faith), we use that information only to operate faith-based features, enforce our community standards, and maintain a safe, values-based community. See Section 9 (Your Privacy Rights and Choices), subsection on Sensitive Personal Information, for fuller detail.

Legal bases (where applicable). Where the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or a similar law applies to our processing of your information, we rely on one or more of the following legal bases:

Performance of a contract. To provide the Platform and the services you request and to operate your account.
Legitimate interests. To operate, secure, and improve the Platform; prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents; communicate with you about your account; and protect the community, balanced against your rights and freedoms.
Consent. For processing that requires your specific opt-in, including processing of sensitive personal information and certain marketing communications.
Legal obligation. To comply with applicable laws, lawful requests from authorities, and our reporting and recordkeeping obligations.

Where consent is the legal basis, you may withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your preferences in the Platform or contacting us at support@faith.online with the subject line "Privacy Request" to expedite routing.

4. How We Share Information

We share information only as described below.

A. Service providers.

We share information with third-party service providers who help us operate FaithOnline. These providers are contractually required to protect your information and to use it only to provide services to us. Categories include, but are not limited to:

Cloud hosting and infrastructure providers. For server hosting, data storage, and content delivery.

Authentication services. For secure sign-in and identity verification.

Analytics providers. For aggregated usage insights and performance monitoring.

Customer support tools. For handling user inquiries and support requests.

Communications and notification services. For email, in-app notifications, and similar communications.

Our principal service providers as of the effective date of this Privacy Policy are listed below. We may add or change service providers over time and will update this Privacy Policy accordingly:

Auth0: Identity and authentication. Data processed: account credentials, email address, sign-in metadata.

Ghost: Editorial content management for long-form articles. Data processed: author content, publication metadata.

GetStream: Community feed, chat, messaging, and group infrastructure. Data processed: user posts, comments, messages, prayer requests, testimonies.

Firebase: Crash reporting and performance monitoring (push notifications are planned for a future release, not active in the MVP). Data processed: device identifiers, crash logs, and performance data (push notification tokens only if and when push notifications are introduced).

Mixpanel: Product analytics. Data processed: usage events, screen views, session metadata (de-identified where possible).

AWS: Hosting, storage, content delivery network. Data processed: all Platform data.

B. Legal and safety obligations.

We may disclose information when we believe in good faith that disclosure is required or appropriate to:

Comply with valid legal process such as a subpoena, court order, or search warrant
Respond to government, law enforcement, or regulatory requests
Investigate, prevent, or address fraud, abuse, security threats, or violations of our policies
Protect the rights, property, safety, and security of FaithOnline, our community members, or others

We review all legal requests carefully and disclose information only when we believe disclosure is required or appropriate under applicable law.

C. Business transfers.

If FaithOnline is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, sale of assets, or other corporate event, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such transfer and any choices you may have.

D. With your direction.

We share information when you direct us to, such as when you choose to make a profile public, post content visible to the community, connect with a third-party service, or send a message to another user.

E. Aggregated and de-identified information.

We may share aggregated or de-identified information that does not reasonably identify you for research, analytics, public reporting, or community impact purposes.

F. Future advertising.

FaithOnline does not currently display advertising on the Platform and does not use your User Content or personal information to deliver advertising. As of the effective date of this Privacy Policy, FaithOnline does not embed third-party advertising SDKs in the mobile app. If we introduce advertising in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy in advance and provide any choices required by applicable law. For Creators participating in any future monetization programs, separate terms will apply.

G. Third-party links and services.

The Platform may link to or embed third-party websites, services, or content (such as Bible apps, donation processors, social sharing tools, or partner ministries). We do not control or operate those third parties, and their privacy practices are governed by their own policies. We are not responsible for the privacy or security practices of any third party. Please review the privacy policy of any third-party service before sharing information with it.

5. Data Security

We take the security of your information seriously and implement reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect the information we collect and store. However, no system is 100% secure. While we work hard to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security, and you use the Platform at your own risk.

A. Technical Safeguards

Encryption. Data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using secure protocols such as TLS/SSL.
Secure storage. Personal information is stored on secure servers with restricted access.
Access controls. We limit access to personal information to employees, contractors, and service providers who need it to operate the Platform.
Authentication. User accounts are protected by passwords and secure authentication methods.
Monitoring. We monitor our systems for potential security threats and vulnerabilities.

B. Organizational Safeguards

Limited access. Only authorized personnel have access to personal information, and only to the extent necessary to perform their duties.
Vendor agreements. Third-party service providers who handle data on our behalf are required to maintain appropriate security measures.
Training. Our team is trained on data protection and security best practices.
Incident response. We have procedures in place to detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents.

C. Physical Safeguards

Secure facilities. Our servers and infrastructure are hosted in secure data centers with physical access controls.
Environmental protections. Data centers maintain fire suppression, climate control, and backup power systems.

D. Your Role in Data Security

You also play a role in keeping your account secure:

Protect your password. Choose a strong, unique password and do not share it with others.
Keep your account secure. Log out of shared or public devices and enable any available security features.
Be cautious about what you share. Avoid posting sensitive personal information (such as financial details, private addresses, or confidential matters) on the Platform.
Report suspicious activity. If you notice unauthorized access to your account or suspicious behavior, contact us immediately at support@faith.online.

E. Security Incidents and Breach Notification

If we become aware of a security incident that compromises the security of your personal information:

Our response. We will investigate the incident, take steps to mitigate harm, notify affected users in accordance with applicable law, and report the incident to relevant authorities as required by law.

What we will tell you. What happened and when we discovered it; what information may have been affected; what steps we are taking to address the incident; what you can do to protect yourself.

How we will notify you. By email to the address associated with your account, by in-app notification, and/or by notice posted on the Platform.

6. Data Storage and International Transfers

FaithOnline is operated from the United States. Information we collect may be stored and processed in the U.S. or in other countries where our service providers operate.

If you access the Platform from outside the United States, please be aware that:

Your information may be transferred to and processed in the U.S.
The U.S. may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country
By using the Platform, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information in the U.S. and other countries where we operate

We take steps to ensure that your information is protected in accordance with this Privacy and Security Policy, regardless of where it is processed.

If you are a resident of Canada or another country with specific data protection laws, you may have additional rights under your local law. Contact us at support@faith.online to learn more.

7. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as necessary to:

Provide and maintain the Platform
Enforce our Terms of Service, Statement of Faith, and Community Standards
Comply with legal obligations
Resolve disputes and protect against fraud, abuse, or security threats
Support the safety and integrity of the community

Account Deletion

If you request deletion of your account, we will take reasonable steps to delete or de-identify your personal information within thirty (30) days of receiving a verified request, except where retention is required or permitted by law for purposes such as:

Security, fraud prevention, and abuse detection
Legal compliance and dispute resolution
Backup and disaster recovery (deleted data may remain in backups for a limited time before permanent deletion)

We may require verification of your identity before processing your request. To request account deletion, contact us at support@faith.online with the subject line "Account Deletion Request," or use the in-app account deletion path at Settings → Account → Delete Account.

8. Public Content and Privacy Expectations

FaithOnline is designed to foster meaningful Christian community. Some of what you share on the Platform is public by design; some is private; and some is shared only within communities you join. We give you choices about what to share, but you are responsible for the content you choose to make public.

A. What Is Public

Your profile information (name, bio, profile photo, church or ministry affiliation, location)
Posts, testimonies, and prayer requests you choose to share publicly
Faith Pages and directory listings for churches, ministries, and organizations

B. Use Discretion

You retain control over what you post. To protect your privacy and the privacy of your community:

Avoid posting precise home addresses, phone numbers, financial details, or other sensitive personal information about yourself
Get consent before sharing identifiable information about others, including in prayer requests and testimonies
Use FaithOnline's privacy settings to control who can see your content
Remember that anything you post publicly may be seen, shared, or saved by other community members

9. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

You have choices about your information regardless of where you live.

A. Choices available to everyone

Access and update. You can view and edit your profile information at any time within the app.
Delete your account. You can request deletion of your account and associated personal information, subject to the limited exceptions described in Section 7 (Data Retention).
Notifications. You can manage push notifications in your device settings and any in-app preferences.
Marketing emails. You can opt out of promotional emails using the unsubscribe link in any such email. We may still send you service-related messages necessary to operate your account.

B. United States state privacy rights

Depending on your state of residence, you may have additional rights under laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA), the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA), the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA), and similar laws in other states. Where these laws apply to you, your rights may include:

The right to know or access the personal information we hold about you
The right to correct inaccurate personal information
The right to delete your personal information, subject to limited exceptions
The right to obtain a portable copy of your personal information
The right not to be discriminated against for exercising your rights

Sale and sharing. We do not sell personal information for money. We do not knowingly share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. If this changes in the future, we will provide the opt-out choices required by law.

How to exercise a state right. Contact us at support@faith.online. We will verify your request before responding and will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights. You may use an authorized agent where the law permits.

C. Rights in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and similar regions

If you are located in a region with comprehensive data protection law, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to certain processing of your personal information, the right to data portability, and the right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent. You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority. To exercise these rights, contact us at support@faith.online.

10. Children and Minors

FaithOnline is intended for users age 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. You must be at least 13 years old to create an account.

If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at support@faith.online with subject line "Children's Privacy" and we will take appropriate action.

Some app stores assign a content age rating that may differ from this minimum account age. The minimum age to create a FaithOnline account and use community features is 13.

Users between 13 and 17 years of age. Some jurisdictions, including Texas, Florida, Utah, and other states, impose specific requirements and protections for minors under 18 using social media platforms, including parental consent obligations. If you are between 13 and 17 years of age:

Your parent or guardian must consent to your use of the Platform as required by the laws applicable to where you live, and you should not use the Platform without that consent
We do not knowingly use your personal information for targeted advertising
We apply default privacy settings designed to protect minors, and we may limit certain interaction features
Your parent or guardian may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information, subject to verification of identity and relationship

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your minor child is using FaithOnline without your consent, please contact us at support@faith.online with the subject line "Minor Account Request" and we will review the account.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date and provide notice through the Platform or by other reasonable means before the changes take effect, where required by law. Your continued use of the Platform after an update means you accept the revised Privacy Policy.

FaithOnline exists to serve devoted believers seeking community, formation, and growth in Christ. These Terms exist to protect the trust, integrity, and spiritual health of that community. We are glad you are part of it.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests about this Privacy Policy or your information, contact us at:

FaithOnline (Faith Online LLC) A Delaware limited liability company Privacy email: support@faith.online Mailing address: PO Box 2207, Pasco, WA 99302