Privacy Policy

JCCOGTB Southern District App
Last updated: May 14, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how the JCCOGTB Southern District mobile application ("the App", "we", "our") collects, uses, and protects your information when you use the App. The App is operated by Template Craft LLC on behalf of Jesus Christ Church of God The Bible Way ("JCCOGTB").

1. Information We Collect

Information you provide

Account information: name, email address, username, and password (stored securely as a one-way hash).
Profile content: avatar image, banner image, biography (optional).
Church affiliation: the local church you indicate when requesting Church Member status.
Posts and messages: content you post to community feeds, send in chat rooms, or send as direct messages, including any PDFs, images, or links you attach.
Contact form submissions: any message you send through the in-app contact form.

Information collected automatically

Push notification token: a device-specific identifier provided by Expo Push and Firebase Cloud Messaging, used only to deliver app notifications.
Session tokens: short-lived authentication tokens stored on your device to keep you signed in.
Diagnostic information: basic error logs to diagnose crashes and operational issues. We do not use third-party analytics or advertising trackers.

2. How We Use Your Information

To create and maintain your account.
To deliver community features (chat, posts, replies, reactions, video meetings).
To send relevant notifications (announcements, events, livestream alerts, replies and reactions on your content) — you control these in Settings.
To send transactional emails (account verification, password resets, contact form replies).
To moderate content and enforce community guidelines.
To respond to your questions submitted through the contact form.

3. Service Providers

We use the following third-party services to operate the App. Each provider has its own privacy policy.

Neon — managed PostgreSQL database where your account data, posts, and messages are stored.
Render — cloud hosting for our backend API and uploaded files.
Resend — email delivery (verification codes, contact form forwarding).
Expo Push Service / Firebase Cloud Messaging — push notification delivery to your device.
Jitsi Meet — peer-to-peer video meetings launched from chat rooms. Video and audio streams are not recorded or stored by us.
Giphy — GIF search inside the chat composer. Giphy receives your search query only when you actively use the GIF picker.
Google Play Services — required Android system services on Android devices.

4. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to advertisers or data brokers. We share information only:

With service providers listed above, strictly to operate the App.
With other users when you choose to share content (posts visible in community feeds, messages in chat rooms you join, public profile fields).
When required by law, valid legal process, or to protect the safety of users and the church community.

5. Data Retention

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. Posts and messages you create remain in their respective rooms or feeds until you delete them, the room is deleted, or your account is closed. Email verification codes expire after 15 minutes. Session tokens expire after the period set on your device.

6. Your Rights and Controls

Update your profile: change your name, photo, bio, and password at any time in Settings.
Notification preferences: turn push and email notifications on/off per category in Settings.
Privacy preferences: control who can see your bio and reply to your posts in Settings.
Delete content: remove your own posts, replies, and messages directly in the App.
Delete your account: contact us at contact@jccogtb.com and we will permanently remove your account and associated personal data within 30 days. Some content posted to public rooms may remain attributed as "Deleted User" for context.
Request a data export: email contact@jccogtb.com and we will provide a copy of your personal data within 30 days.

7. Children's Privacy

The App is intended for users 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.

8. Data Security

We protect your information using industry-standard practices: passwords are stored as one-way hashes (never as plain text), authentication uses signed session tokens, all API traffic is encrypted in transit (HTTPS), and the underlying database is encrypted at rest by our hosting provider. No system is 100% secure; if a security incident occurs that affects your data, we will notify you and applicable authorities as required by law.

9. International Users

Our servers are operated in the United States. By using the App you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States. Local laws in your country may differ from US law.

10. Changes to this Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you through the App and update the "Last updated" date above. Continued use of the App after a change means you accept the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

Questions about this policy or your data? Email us at:

contact@jccogtb.com