Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Ruach Connect ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience on our app. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application Ruach Connect (the "App").

By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our App.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide to Us

Account Information:

• Full name
• Email address
• Username
• Password (securely encrypted)
• Date of birth
• Profile photo (optional)

Profile Information:

• Bio/description
• School or university name
• Location (city, state - optional)
• Faith journey stage
• Religious denomination
• Interests and hobbies

Dating Feature Information 18+ Only

• Gender and gender preference
• Relationship goals
• Church attendance frequency
• Faith-related preferences

User-Generated Content:

• Posts and comments in forums
• Direct messages to other users
• Photos and media you share
• Event information you create
• Prayer requests

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device type and model
• Operating system version
• Unique device identifiers
• Push notification tokens
• App usage patterns and features used
• Crash reports and error logs

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

1. Provide and Maintain the App - Create and manage your account, enable social features, facilitate connections with other believers
2. Personalize Your Experience - Show relevant content, suggest connections based on shared interests and faith journey
3. Enable Dating Features - Match you with compatible Christian singles (if you opt-in and are 18+)
4. Communicate With You - Send notifications about messages, events, matches, and important updates
5. Improve Our Services - Analyze usage patterns to fix bugs, improve features, and enhance user experience
6. Ensure Safety and Security - Detect fraud, abuse, and enforce our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines
7. Provide Customer Support - Respond to your questions and help resolve issues

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 With Other Users

Certain information is visible to other users based on your privacy settings:

• Profile information (name, photo, bio, interests)
• Posts and comments in public forums
• Events you create or attend
• Dating profile (only to other dating participants)

4.2 With Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate the App:

• Supabase - Database hosting and user authentication (Privacy Policy)
• Groq AI - Powers our Faith Assistant feature (Privacy Policy)
• Expo - App framework and push notifications (Privacy Policy)
• Google Play Services - App distribution (Privacy Policy)

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government request, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

5. Data Storage and Security

We take the security of your data seriously and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures:

• Encryption in Transit - All data is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS protocols
• Encryption at Rest - Sensitive data is encrypted when stored
• Secure Password Storage - Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms
• Access Controls - Limited employee access to user data
• Regular Security Audits - We regularly review and update our security practices

Your data is stored on secure servers located in the United States through our service provider Supabase.

6. Your Rights and Choices

To exercise these rights, you can:

• Use the settings within the App (Profile → Settings → Privacy)
• Email us at privacy@ruachconnect.com

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. When you delete your account:

• Your profile and personal information are deleted within 30 days
• Your posts and comments may be anonymized or deleted
• Messages sent to other users remain with those users
• Some data may be retained for legal compliance or fraud prevention

8. Children's Privacy

If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at privacy@ruachconnect.com.

9. International Users

Ruach Connect is operated from the United States. If you are accessing the App from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located.

By using the App, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States, which may have different data protection laws than your country.

10. Summary Table

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the new policy in the App
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top
• Sending a push notification for significant changes

Your continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us