Privacy Policy

At Secret Place, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information Stored Locally on Your Device

The following data is stored exclusively on your device and is NOT transmitted to our servers:

• Your prayer text entries and transcriptions
• Voice recordings (if you choose to save them)
• Prayer dates, times, and durations
• Personal notes and reflections
• Prayer categories and tags
• App settings and preferences

1.2 Information We Collect

We collect minimal information to provide our Service:

• Account Information: Email address, name (if provided), and authentication credentials
• Usage Analytics: App usage patterns, feature interactions, crash reports (anonymized)
• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, app version
• Payment Information: Processed securely through app store payment systems (we do not store credit card information)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Secret Place service
• Authenticate your account and prevent fraud
• Process subscription payments
• Send important service announcements and updates
• Respond to your support requests
• Understand how users interact with our app to improve features
• Comply with legal obligations

3. Voice-to-Text Processing (Ephemeral)

When you use the voice recording feature to speak your prayers, your audio is temporarily processed by third-party AI services (such as OpenAI's Whisper API) to convert speech to text. This process is ephemeral, meaning your audio is processed and immediately discarded:

• Your audio recording is sent to the AI service via encrypted connection
• The AI service transcribes your speech to text
• The transcribed text is returned to your device
• The text is stored locally on your device only
• The audio is immediately deleted from the transcription service and is not retained or used for training

According to OpenAI's data usage policies, audio sent to their API for transcription is not used to train their models and is not retained after processing. The transcription happens in real-time and your audio passes through their systems only temporarily—it is ephemeral. If you prefer complete privacy without any third-party processing, you can type your prayers instead of using voice transcription.

4. Data Storage and Security

Local Storage Only (No Cloud): Your prayer content is stored exclusively on your device using secure, encrypted storage mechanisms provided by your device's operating system. We use industry-standard security measures to protect this data. Your prayers are NEVER stored in the cloud, NEVER synced to our servers, and we have no ability to access them.

Your Responsibility: Because data is stored locally and not in the cloud, you are responsible for:

• Securing your device with passwords, biometrics, or other security measures
• Regularly backing up your prayer journal using the CSV export feature
• Keeping your exported backups in a secure location (iCloud, Google Drive, etc.)
• Understanding that if you get a new phone without exporting your prayers first, they will be permanently lost
• Understanding that if your device is lost, stolen, damaged, or reset, your prayer data will be permanently lost if you haven't created backups

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share limited information only in these circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party services that help us operate (analytics, crash reporting, voice transcription), under strict confidentiality agreements
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request
• Safety: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Secret Place, our users, or the public
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (users would be notified)

Important: Your prayer content stored locally on your device is never shared with us or any third party unless you explicitly export and share it yourself.

6. Third-Party Services

Our app integrates with the following third-party services:

• OpenAI: For voice-to-text transcription services
• Apple App Store / Google Play Store: For payment processing and distribution
• Analytics Services: For understanding app usage (anonymized data)

Each of these services has their own privacy policies governing how they handle data. We encourage you to review their policies.

7. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the account information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Export: Export your prayer journal data at any time using the CSV export feature
• Opt-Out: Opt out of marketing communications (you'll still receive essential service emails)

To exercise these rights, please contact us.

8. Children's Privacy

Secret Place is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

9. International Users

Secret Place is operated in the United States. If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that information we collect may be transferred to and processed in the United States. By using our Service, you consent to this transfer and processing.

10. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete personal information, and the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell your personal information.

11. Data Retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. If you delete your account, we will delete your account information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law. Remember, your prayer content stored locally on your device is controlled by you and is not affected by account deletion.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy within the app, sending an email notification, or through other appropriate means. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: