Privacy Policy

1. Introduction and Scope

This Privacy Policy (the "Policy") describes how Visit Our Directories, LLC ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards personal information in connection with the Visit Our Church website, located at visitourchurch.org, and any related pages, features, and services (collectively, the "Service").

By accessing or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy. If you do not agree with this Policy, you must discontinue use of the Service. This Policy is incorporated into and subject to any Terms of Use governing the Service.

2. Definitions

1. "Personal Information" means any information that identifies, relates to, describes, or is reasonably capable of being associated with a particular individual or household.
2. "User" or "you" means any individual who accesses or uses the Service, including visitors, account holders, and representatives of listed churches.
3. "Listing" means a directory profile describing a church or ministry, including its name, address, schedules, staff, media, and related content.
4. "Processor" means a third party that processes Personal Information on our behalf and under our instructions.

3. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of Personal Information:

1. (a) Information you provide. Information you submit voluntarily, including your name, email address, telephone number, church affiliation or role, correspondence, and any content submitted in connection with a Listing claim, submission, or inquiry.
2. (b) Information collected automatically. Technical data generated when you use the Service, including Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type and version, device identifiers, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, and dates and times of access.
3. (c) Search and preference data. Search terms, location entries, filters, and saved Listings. Such data may be stored in the page address or in your browser's local storage and is not associated with an identified account unless you elect to create one.
4. (d) Information from third parties. Information we lawfully obtain from service providers, public sources, or church representatives for the purpose of verifying or maintaining Listings.

4. Use of Information

We use Personal Information for the following purposes:

1. (a) to provide, operate, maintain, and improve the Service;
2. (b) to create and administer user accounts and to verify the identity of persons claiming or managing a Listing;
3. (c) to respond to inquiries, requests, and support communications;
4. (d) to detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, security incidents, and other unlawful activity;
5. (e) to analyze aggregate usage trends in a manner that does not identify individual Users; and
6. (f) to comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal process, and enforceable governmental requests.

5. Legal Bases for Processing

Where the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR"), the UK GDPR, or similar laws apply, we process Personal Information on one or more of the following legal bases:

1. (a) Performance of a contract, where processing is necessary to provide the Service you have requested;
2. (b) Consent, where you have given consent, which you may withdraw at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing;
3. (c) Legitimate interests, including securing the Service, preventing misuse, and improving functionality, provided such interests are not overridden by your rights; and
4. (d) Legal obligation, where processing is required to comply with applicable law.

6. Disclosure of Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade Personal Information. We may disclose Personal Information only in the following circumstances:

1. (a) Service providers. To Processors who perform hosting, data storage, error monitoring, email delivery, or similar services on our behalf, subject to contractual confidentiality and data protection obligations.
2. (b) Legal requirements. Where we believe in good faith that disclosure is required by law, subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Company, its Users, or the public.
3. (c) Business transfers. In connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of all or part of our assets, in which case Personal Information may be transferred as a business asset subject to this Policy.
4. (d) With your consent. For any other purpose disclosed to you at the time of collection and to which you consent.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The Service may use strictly necessary first-party cookies and browser storage to enable core functionality, such as session management and saved preferences. We do not currently use third-party advertising cookies, cross-site tracking pixels, or behavioral advertising technologies.

You may configure your browser to refuse or delete cookies. Disabling strictly necessary cookies may impair certain features of the Service. Should our use of cookies materially change, this Policy will be updated accordingly.

8. Third-Party Websites and Links

The Service may contain links to websites, applications, and services operated by third parties, including those listed on our Resources page. We do not control and are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or security of such third parties. The inclusion of any link does not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, partnership, or guarantee. Your use of any third-party service is governed by that party's own terms and privacy policy.

9. Data Retention

We retain Personal Information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, including to satisfy legal, accounting, or reporting requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When Personal Information is no longer required, we will delete or anonymize it in accordance with our retention practices.

10. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect Personal Information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction, including encryption of data in transit. No method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the following rights with respect to your Personal Information:

1. (a) Access. To request confirmation of whether we process your Personal Information and to obtain a copy of it.
2. (b) Correction. To request correction of inaccurate or incomplete Personal Information.
3. (c) Deletion. To request deletion of your Personal Information, subject to certain exceptions.
4. (d) Restriction and objection. To request restriction of, or to object to, certain processing.
5. (e) Portability. To receive your Personal Information in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.
6. (f) Non-discrimination. To exercise these rights without receiving discriminatory treatment.

12. Supplemental Notice for U.S. State Residents

Residents of California and other states with comprehensive consumer privacy laws may have additional rights, including the right to know the categories of Personal Information collected, the sources of such information, the business purposes for its collection, and the categories of third parties to whom it is disclosed. We do not sell Personal Information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising, as those terms are defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act. We do not knowingly sell or share the Personal Information of consumers under sixteen (16) years of age.

13. International Data Transfers

The Service is operated in the United States. If you access the Service from outside the United States, your Personal Information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other jurisdictions whose data protection laws may differ from those of your jurisdiction. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses, for such transfers.

14. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed to children under thirteen (13) years of age, and we do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children under thirteen (13) in violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly. A parent or guardian who believes a child has provided Personal Information may contact us using the information in Section 17.

15. Church Listing Content

Listings may include information about churches, clergy, staff, and ministries. Listings presently displayed on the Service are illustrative samples and do not represent verified records. Once verified Listings are available, church representatives will be responsible for ensuring they have authority to publish any personal information included in their Listing, and individuals named in a Listing may request correction or removal by contacting us.

16. Changes to This Policy

We may amend this Policy from time to time. Any amendment will be effective upon posting the revised Policy on this page with an updated Effective Date. Where changes are material, we will provide reasonable notice through the Service or by other appropriate means. Your continued use of the Service following the posting of changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

17. Contact Information

Questions, requests, or complaints regarding this Policy or our privacy practices may be directed to:

Visit Our Directories, LLC — Attn: Privacy. Official email and mailing addresses will be published here prior to the opening of account registration or church submissions.

If you reside in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.