Last Updated: June 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Bethany Sydney ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects your information when you use the Bethany Sydney mobile application (the "App"). By using the App, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.
The App may request the following permissions on your device. Each is used only for the stated purpose:
We use your information to operate the App and serve the Bethany Sydney congregation, including: church membership and ministry scheduling; event registration and Sunday School check-ins; Family Altar (Connect Group) connections; pastoral communications and notifications; and meeting transcriptions and summaries produced using secure AI processing tools.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.
The App uses YouTube API Services (for embedded video playback, leader-initiated video search, live-stream detection, and storing church video links/playlists). By using the YouTube-powered features of the App, you also agree to be bound by the YouTube Terms of Service.
Information accessed through the YouTube API Services is handled by Google in accordance with the Google Privacy Policy (http://www.google.com/policies/privacy).
We do not collect, request, or store your YouTube username or password. You can review and revoke the App's (and the church's) access to YouTube/Google data at any time via the Google security settings page at https://security.google.com/settings/security/permissions.
We share information with external service providers who process data on our behalf:
Each provider handles data under its own terms and privacy policy. Internally, information is shared with church pastoral, ministry, and administrative leaders only to the extent needed to run the relevant ministry function. We may disclose information where required by law or to protect the rights, safety, and security of our members and systems.
To provide the service, the App stores, accesses, and collects information directly or indirectly on your device. This is the mobile-app equivalent of cookies or similar technology. It includes locally stored preferences (e.g. theme and language settings), securely stored login credentials for biometric sign-in (kept on the device only), offline caches (such as Bible and worship/backing-track audio and offline database content), and a push-notification device token. This on-device data is used only to make the App work and is not used for advertising.
Your data is stored using industry-standard encryption provided by Google Firebase. Sensitive shared credentials are protected with specialised Vault Key encryption managed exclusively by our IT administrators. We retain your information only for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide church services and meet legal obligations. YouTube API Data is refreshed from the API and is not retained longer than permitted by the YouTube API Services Terms; note that YouTube video links or metadata embedded in shared church records (such as song lists or sermons) may persist in those church records after an individual account is deleted.
Parents or legal guardians create and manage their children's profiles within their own authenticated accounts. Children's information (such as Sunday School registration and check-in) is used exclusively for children's ministry management and safety.
Some operational records may be retained for church administration where reasonably necessary.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Last Updated" date above. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us: