Effective date: August 18, 2026

The Church Business respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains the categories of information we may collect, how we use and share information, and choices available to users of our website, directory, marketplace, accounts, programs, communications, and related services.

1. Information We Collect

Depending on how you use the platform, we may collect information you provide such as your name, email address, telephone number, account information, business or organization information, congregation information, location, listing content, order and transaction information, support messages, applications, submissions, and other information you choose to provide.

We may also receive technical and usage information such as IP address, browser and device information, operating system, pages visited, approximate location derived from technical information, referring pages, timestamps, cookies, consent preferences, security events, and similar usage data.

2. Accounts, Listings, and Public Information

Information intentionally submitted for publication in a business, church, ministry, professional, product, service, job, or other public listing may be visible to visitors. Users should not place sensitive personal information in public-facing fields unless it is necessary and appropriate for publication.

3. How We Use Information

We may use information to create and administer accounts and listings; operate the directory and marketplace; process and support transactions; communicate about accounts, orders, programs, applications, or support requests; moderate content; detect fraud, abuse, or security threats; enforce platform standards; improve website performance and user experience; maintain records; comply with applicable obligations; and send optional marketing or community communications when permitted and, where required, with consent.

4. Marketplace Sellers and Order Fulfillment

When a customer purchases from an independent seller through The Church Business, information reasonably necessary to fulfill and support that transaction may be made available to the applicable seller. This can include customer name, contact information, billing or shipping information where required, order details, and communications related to the transaction. Sellers are expected to use customer information only for legitimate transaction, support, recordkeeping, or legally required purposes and not for unrelated use contrary to applicable law or platform policy.

5. Payments

The Church Business may use third-party payment providers to process payments. Payment providers may collect and process payment, billing, identity, fraud-prevention, device, and transaction information under their own privacy practices. The Church Business does not need to receive or store a customer’s full payment-card number when payment information is handled directly by the applicable payment processor.

6. Service Providers and Other Disclosures

We may provide information to service providers that help us operate the platform, such as website hosting, security, payment processing, email delivery, analytics, translation, mapping, storage, customer support, marketplace, and other technology providers. We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law or legal process; protect users, the public, or the platform; investigate fraud, abuse, security incidents, or policy violations; establish or defend legal rights; or when a user directs or consents to the disclosure.

We do not sell personal information simply for payment. If our practices change in a way that creates additional privacy rights or disclosure obligations, this Policy will be updated as appropriate.

7. Artificial Intelligence and Automated Systems

The Church Business may use artificial intelligence and automated tools to assist with customer support, site administration, search, content organization, moderation, translation, fraud or security review, and other platform functions. Information submitted to an AI-enabled feature may be processed by The Church Business and applicable technology providers as necessary to provide that feature. Users should not submit passwords, full payment-card numbers, or other unnecessary highly sensitive information to general-purpose chat or support fields.

8. Church, Ministry, and Professional Information

Certain church, ministry, professional, or program features may request information needed to evaluate an application, affiliation, role, or eligibility. We will seek to collect only information reasonably necessary for the relevant function. Information intended for a public directory may be publicly displayed; information collected for internal review should not be made public unless the user has been informed or has authorized publication.

9. Cookies, Analytics, and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies for functions such as login, security, preferences, payments, analytics, and website performance. Some analytics or third-party services may place or read cookies according to consent choices and applicable requirements. Additional information about detected cookies and services is provided in our Cookie Policy.

10. Marketing and Communications

We may send service-related communications necessary to administer accounts, transactions, security, or requested services. Promotional newsletters or marketing communications will be handled according to applicable consent and opt-out requirements. Users may unsubscribe from marketing communications using the method provided in the message, although necessary transactional or account communications may continue.

11. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected and for legitimate operational, security, transaction, dispute, accounting, tax, recordkeeping, or legal needs. Retention periods may differ by type of information. When information is no longer reasonably needed, we may delete, anonymize, or otherwise dispose of it consistent with applicable requirements and technical limitations.

12. Data Security

We use administrative, technical, and organizational measures intended to protect information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, loss, or misuse. No website, transmission method, or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. Users are responsible for maintaining strong passwords, protecting account credentials, and promptly reporting suspected unauthorized account activity.

13. Your Choices and Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live and the laws that apply, you may have rights to request access to, correction of, or deletion of certain personal information; receive information about certain processing or disclosures; withdraw consent where processing depends on consent; or opt out of certain communications or processing. Some requests may be limited where retention or processing is necessary for transactions, security, legal obligations, dispute resolution, or other permitted purposes.

Privacy requests may be sent to info@thechurchbusiness.org. We may need to verify a request before acting on it.

14. Children’s Privacy

General marketplace and business-account services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children under 13 through those services. Programs specifically involving minors, if offered, should use appropriate parent or guardian permissions and additional safeguards as required for that program and applicable law.

15. International Users

The Church Business is intended to serve a worldwide community. Information may be processed or stored in countries other than the user’s country, including where our service providers operate. Privacy rights and requirements can vary by jurisdiction, and we will seek to address applicable requirements as the platform expands.

16. External Links and Independent Services

The platform may contain links to websites or services operated independently by third parties. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies, and users should review those policies before providing information directly to them.

17. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as our services, technology, vendors, or applicable requirements change. The current version will be posted on this page with an effective or revision date. Material changes may also be communicated by other reasonable means when appropriate.

18. Contact Us

Questions or privacy requests may be sent to info@thechurchbusiness.org.