Informed Ministries App — Privacy Policy

Draft for legal review — not yet in force

Version 0.1 · Prepared 7 September 2026

Informed Ministries (ABN [insert]) ("we", "us", "our") operates the Informed Ministries mobile and web application (the "App"). This policy explains what personal information we collect, why, how we hold it, and your choices. We handle personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

1. What we collect

Account information. When you create an account: your name (as you choose to give it), email address, and a password we store only in hashed form. If you sign in with a third-party provider, we receive the name and email that provider shares.

Your use of the App. Reading-plan progress, devotional and Sabbath School progress, bookmarks, streaks, and the reflections, notes and journal entries you write. These are stored so the App can show them back to you.

Small groups. If you create or join a group: your display name, the groups you belong to, invite codes you use, the posts you make in a group, and whether you are currently in a video session. When you join a group you confirm you are 18 or over; we record that confirmation.

AI features. When you use Ask the Bible or the Study Tutor, the question you type (and, for the Tutor, the current lesson) is sent to our AI provider to generate a response. When you use the study generator or features such as Explain This Verse, the topic or passage is sent, not your identity. Generated study material may be stored and shown to other users who choose the same topic or passage; it is not linked to you. We may keep a record of questions and responses for a limited period to fix problems and prevent misuse.

Technical information. Device type, operating system, app version, approximate region derived from your connection, error reports, and basic usage events (for example that a screen was opened). We use this to keep the App working and to understand which features are used.

Kids mode. Kids mode runs inside a parent's or guardian's account. We do not create a profile for the child, do not ask the child for personal information, and do not make community features available in kids mode. Progress in kids mode is stored against the parent's account.

We do not collect payment information (the App is free), precise location, contacts, or photos unless you choose to share one within a group.

2. Why we collect it

We use personal information to:

• provide the App and remember where you are up to;
• run small groups and video sessions between members;
• answer questions you ask AI features;
• send you service messages (for example about changes to these terms or a security issue);
• keep the App secure, fix errors, and prevent misuse;
• understand, in aggregate, how the App is used so we can improve it.

We do not sell personal information, and we do not show advertising in the App.

3. Who we share it with

We share personal information only with providers who help us run the App, and only what each needs:

• Hosting and database — the App's server and database run on infrastructure located in Sydney, Australia ([hosting provider] and [database provider]).
• Video sessions — group video is delivered by [video provider]. Audio and video pass through their servers during a session and are not recorded or stored by us.
• AI features — questions to Ask the Bible and the Study Tutor are processed by [AI provider]. We send the question and the context needed to answer it, not your account details.
• Content providers — Sabbath School lessons and some devotional content are fetched from third parties (for example Adventech, Our Daily Bread Ministries). We fetch content on your behalf; we do not send them your identity.
• Error and usage reporting — [analytics/error provider], which receives technical information only.

Some of these providers are based outside Australia, or may process data outside Australia. Where that happens we take reasonable steps to ensure they handle your information in a way consistent with the Australian Privacy Principles.

We may also disclose personal information where the law requires it, or to protect the safety of a person.

4. Group members

Other members of a group you join can see your display name, your posts in that group, and whether you are in a live session. They cannot see your email address, your private notes or reflections, or your activity outside the group. Please think of group content as shared with those members, and do not share personal information about other members outside the group.

5. How long we keep it

We keep your information while your account is active. If you delete your account, we delete your personal information and content within 30 days, except where we must keep records to meet a legal obligation or resolve a dispute. Backups are overwritten in the ordinary course. Group posts you made remain visible to the group in anonymised form ("Former member") unless the host removes them.

Records of AI questions are kept for no longer than [30] days.

6. Security

We protect personal information with measures including encrypted connections, hashed passwords, access limited to those who need it, and hosting in an Australian region. No system is completely secure. If a data breach occurs that is likely to cause serious harm, we will notify you and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner as the law requires.

7. Your choices and rights

• Access and correction. You can view and change most of your information in the App. For anything else, contact us and we will provide access or correct it within a reasonable time.
• Deletion. You can delete your account from the App, or ask us to.
• Groups. You can leave a group at any time; the host can remove members.
• AI features. You can use the App without ever using AI features; they only process what you type into them.
• Complaints. If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information, contact us first. If we cannot resolve it, you can complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au.

8. Children

The App is not directed at children under 13 for account creation. Kids mode is designed for children to use under a parent's or guardian's supervision within the parent's account, and we do not knowingly collect personal information directly from a child. If you believe a child has provided us personal information without a parent's consent, contact us and we will delete it.

9. Changes

We may update this policy. If we make a material change we will tell you in the App before it takes effect.

10. Contact

Informed Ministries
ABN [insert]
[postal or email address]
[privacy contact email]