Privacy Policy
Effective October 25, 2026
This policy explains how Servicebuddy handles personal information when you use the website and ministry companion application. Servicebuddy is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any religious organization.
1. Information you provide
We process account information such as your display name, email address and authentication details; optional profile information such as a photo, bio, congregation and ministry interests; and content you choose to save, including return-visit records, addresses, conversation notes, follow-up dates, connection requests and messages.
2. Information generated by use
We may process technical information necessary to run and protect the service, such as session identifiers, error logs, device or browser details, and records of application activity. Servicebuddy may use cookies or similar local browser storage for authentication and essential preferences.
3. How information is used
Information is used to provide account access, save and display your ministry records, enable authorized connections, deliver requested features, maintain security, troubleshoot failures, respond to support requests, and comply with legal obligations.
4. Return-visit privacy
Return-visit addresses, private notes and related records are intended to be visible only to the account that created them. They are not automatically shared with Service Buddies or displayed in the administrative account directory. Access by infrastructure providers or authorized technical operators may be necessary for service operation, support, security, or legal compliance; do not assume end-to-end encryption.
5. Profile and connections
Profile photos, bios and optional congregation information may be used for profile and connection features. Before broader sharing is enabled, the application should provide appropriate visibility controls. Do not include sensitive personal information in your public-facing profile.
6. Mapping and location
Saved visit addresses are not automatically sent to the address-lookup service. If you choose to locate an address and give the requested consent, the address may be sent to OpenStreetMap Nominatim or another disclosed geocoding provider to obtain map coordinates. Map tile providers may receive standard technical request information, such as IP address. GPS location is not required to save return visits.
7. Service providers and disclosures
Hosting, authentication, file storage, map services and technical infrastructure may process data on our behalf. We do not authorize other publishers to browse your private visit records. Information may also be disclosed where legally required or reasonably necessary to protect the service and its users.
8. Retention and deletion
Information is retained as needed to operate the service, subject to applicable law and operational requirements. Deleting a visit through the application removes its associated record through the available deletion workflow; technical backups and security records may remain temporarily. To request account closure or ask about deletion of other personal data, use the support channel in the application.
9. Security
We use account authentication, access restrictions, and other reasonable safeguards. No internet service can guarantee absolute security. Avoid storing unnecessary sensitive information about householders or other individuals.
10. Your choices and rights
You can edit many profile and visit details through the app, choose whether to request geocoding, and decide whether to connect with other users. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict processing of personal information. Submit privacy requests through the app's support channel.
11. Children and policy updates
Servicebuddy accounts are intended for adults aged 18 or older. We may update this policy as features, providers or legal requirements change. Material updates will be reflected here with a revised effective date.
This initial policy requires operator review and confirmation of service-provider practices, data-retention periods, legal entity details and contact information before it should be treated as final legal advice.