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The Simple Discipleship app

Privacy Policy

Effective and last updated September 3, 2026.

Simple Discipleship ("we," "us," or "the app") is a Bible reading and small‑group discipleship app. This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. We wrote it in plain language because you deserve to understand it without a lawyer.

The short version: We collect only what the app needs to work — your account details, your reading activity, and the reflections and prayer requests you choose to share. We do not sell your data, we do not show ads, and we do not track you across other apps or websites.

1. Information we collect

Information you give us

Account information. When you create an account we collect your email address and a password (stored securely by our authentication provider, never in plain text). If you sign in with Apple or Google, we receive your name, email address, and (for Google) your profile photo from that provider. Apple lets you hide your real email; if you do, we receive a private relay address instead.

Profile information. Anything you add to your profile, such as a display name or avatar.

Reflections and journal entries. The takeaways and reflections you write while reading. These are private to you unless you choose to share them with a group.

Prayer requests. Requests you post to a group are visible to the members of that group, along with your name and avatar.

Group and church information. The groups you create or join, join requests, and the church you associate with.

Support messages. If you contact us, we keep the message and your contact details so we can respond.

Information collected automatically

Reading activity. Which chapters and plans you read, when you complete a day, your streak and milestone progress, and your reading preferences (translation, font size, theme). This powers the Today tab, your Bible tracker, and group progress views.

App usage events. Basic events such as app opens, screens viewed, and features used. We use these only to understand how the app is used and to improve it. They are stored in our own database and are not shared with advertising or analytics companies.

Device and technical information. Device type, operating system version, app version, language, and time zone, plus crash and error information if the app fails.

Push notification token. If you turn on notifications, we store the token your device gives us so we can deliver reminders. You can turn notifications off at any time in Settings or in your device settings.

Location. If you allow it, we use your device's approximate location to show churches and groups near you on the map. We do not store your location history. You can decline or revoke this permission at any time and still use the app.

Information we do not collect

We do not collect payment information (the app is free), contacts, photos (other than an avatar you choose to upload), health data, or precise location history. We do not use advertising identifiers and we do not track you across other companies' apps or websites.

2. How we use your information

We use the information above to:

  • Create and secure your account and let you sign in.
  • Show you your reading plan, progress, streaks, and milestones.
  • Let you participate in groups: sharing reflections, posting prayer requests, and seeing group progress.
  • Send you reminders and notifications you have opted into.
  • Cache Bible text on your device so you can read offline, where the translation license allows.
  • Understand which features are used so we can improve the app.
  • Diagnose and fix crashes and errors.
  • Respond to your questions and support requests.
  • Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms.

We do not use your information for advertising, and we do not sell or rent it to anyone.

3. Who can see your information

Group members. Your name, avatar, reading progress for the current week, and any reflections or prayer requests you choose to share are visible to members of the groups you belong to. Private reflections are never shown to others.

Service providers. We use a small number of companies to run the app. They process data only on our behalf and under contract:

  • Supabase — hosts our database, authentication, and server functions. This is where your account and app data live.
  • Apple and Google — provide sign‑in if you choose Sign in with Apple or Google. Their handling of your sign‑in is governed by their own privacy policies.
  • Google Maps — displays the map in the Groups tab. Google may receive your device's IP address and, if you allowed it, approximate location when the map loads.
  • Expo (Expo Application Services) — helps us build the app and deliver push notifications. Your push token passes through Expo's notification service.

Bible text providers (YouVersion Platform and the publishers who license each translation). Scripture is fetched through our own server; these providers do not receive your personal information.

Legal reasons. We may disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of our users or others.

Business changes. If Simple Discipleship is ever transferred to another organization, your data may transfer with it. We would notify you before that happens.

4. Your choices and rights

Access and correct. You can view and edit your profile, reflections, and prayer requests in the app at any time.

Delete your account. You can delete your account from Settings → Account → Delete Account, or by emailing us. Deleting your account permanently removes your profile, reflections, journal, prayer requests, and reading history within 30 days. Content you shared in a group may remain visible to that group without your name attached.

Notifications. Turn reminders on or off in Settings or in your device's notification settings.

Location. Manage location permission in your device settings.

Withdraw consent. Where we rely on your consent (for example, location or notifications), you can withdraw it at any time by changing the permission. This does not affect processing that happened before you withdrew.

Regional rights. If you live in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, California, or another region with data‑protection laws, you may also have the right to request a copy of your data, object to certain processing, or lodge a complaint with your local data‑protection authority. Contact us and we will help.

We will respond to requests within 30 days.

5. Data retention

We keep your information for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account we remove your personal data within 30 days, except where we must keep it longer for legal reasons or where it exists in routine backups, which are overwritten on a rolling basis. Usage events are kept in aggregated or de‑identified form for product improvement.

6. Security

Your data is transmitted over encrypted connections (HTTPS) and stored with a provider that uses industry‑standard security, including encryption at rest and row‑level access rules so that users can only reach their own data and the data of groups they belong to. No system is perfectly secure, so we encourage you to use a strong, unique password.

7. Children

Simple Discipleship is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child under 13 has created an account, contact us and we will delete it.

8. International users

We are based in the United States and our service providers store data in the United States. If you use the app from another country, your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States.

9. Changes to this policy

If we make meaningful changes, we will update the date at the top and notify you in the app or by email before the changes take effect.

10. Contact us

Questions, requests, or concerns about privacy: