Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly when you create an account, fill out your profile, or contact us. This includes:

• Name, email address, and password
• Profile information (bio, category, location, rate, skills)
• Social media handles and website URLs you choose to share
• Photos and videos you upload to your profile
• Messages and contact requests sent through the Platform
• Payment information (processed by Stripe — we do not store card or bank numbers)

We also automatically collect certain technical information when you use the Platform, including IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on pages.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account
• Display your public profile to churches and visitors
• Facilitate communication between churches and ministry partners
• Process payments and send payout notifications
• Send transactional emails (account confirmation, password reset, contact notifications)
• Improve and personalize the Platform
• Comply with legal obligations

3. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

• Other users — Your public profile is visible to all Platform visitors. Contact requests are shared with the intended recipient.
• Service providers — We use Supabase (database/auth), Stripe (payments), and Plaid (bank verification). These providers process data on our behalf under confidentiality obligations.
• Legal requirements — We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights and safety of our users.

4. Your Public Profile

When you create a partner profile, the following information is publicly visible to anyone who visits ChurchConnect: your name, photo, bio, category, location, rate, skills, social media links, and uploaded media. Please only include information you are comfortable sharing publicly.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including encryption in transit (TLS/HTTPS), encrypted storage, and access controls. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to maintain your session and improve your experience. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but some features of the Platform may not function properly without them.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information through your profile settings
• Delete your account and associated data by contacting us
• Opt out of non-transactional emails
• Request a copy of your data in a portable format

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@churchconnect.com.

8. Children's Privacy

ChurchConnect is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

9. Data Retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal or compliance purposes.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by email or by posting a notice on the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at privacy@churchconnect.com or through our Contact page.