Privacy Policy
Last Updated: February 12, 2026
1. Introduction
Welcome to ChurchSearch. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy will inform you as to how we look after your personal data when you visit our website and tell you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you.
2. The Data We Collect
We may collect, use, store and transfer different kinds of personal data about you which we have grouped together as follows:
- Identity Data includes first name, last name, username or similar identifier (via Google Login).
- Contact Data includes email address.
- Technical Data includes internet protocol (IP) address, browser type and version, time zone setting and location.
- Usage Data includes information about how you use our website.
3. How We Use Your Data
We only use your personal data when the law allows us to. Most commonly, we use your data to:
- Authenticate you via Google OAuth.
- Allow you to save "Favorite" churches.
- Verify church ownership when claiming a listing.
- Improve our search algorithms based on approximate location.
4. Google Maps APIs
ChurchSearch uses Google Maps APIs to display map and location details for churches. When map content is displayed, Google may collect and process data according to its own terms and privacy practices. Google branding and attribution are shown on embedded map content as required by Google Maps Platform terms.
For more information, please review the Google Privacy Policy.
5. GDPR Compliance
If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). ChurchSearch aims to take reasonable steps to allow you to correct, amend, delete, or limit the use of your Personal Data.
6. CCPA/CPRA Rights (California)
California residents may request access to categories of personal information collected, request deletion, and request correction of inaccurate personal information, subject to legal exceptions. We do not sell personal information.
7. Data Retention (Placeholder Schedule)
We retain personal data only as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy. This section defines operational defaults until legal counsel finalizes retention policy.
- Account profile data: retained while account is active, then deleted or anonymized within 30 days.
- Favorites and user preferences: deleted with account, with backup retention of 35 days.
- Claim and moderation records: retained for audit/fraud prevention for 35 days.
- Security and server logs: retained for 35 days.
- Analytics events: retained per Google Analytics property settings.
8. Cookies and Consent
We use essential cookies for login/session functionality. Optional analytics cookies are only enabled after your consent. You can accept all, reject non-essential cookies, or manage preferences from the consent prompt.
9. How to Exercise Privacy Rights
You can request access, correction, or deletion by contacting us. Account deletion is also available in-product for signed-in users. We may verify identity before completing requests.
- Request submission: legal@churchsearch.us
- Target initial response SLA: 10 business days
- Target final resolution SLA: 30 business days
10. Processors and Subprocessors (Placeholder)
We use third-party service providers to operate the platform. Final vendor inventory and DPA status should be reviewed before launch.
- Google OAuth (authentication)
- Google Analytics 4 (analytics)
- Google Maps APIs (mapping and place visualization)
- Cloudflare Pages and Google Cloud Run
- SMTP provider configured by operator
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at: legal@churchsearch.us