Last Updated: April 2026
Bethany Sydney ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal data of our church congregation. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use the Bethany Sydney mobile application (the "App").
1. Information We Collect
To provide you with a personalized church experience, we collect the following types of information:
Account Information: When you register, we collect your full name, email address, phone number, suburb, and date of birth.
Family Information: If you use the Sunday School check-in features, we collect the names and dates of birth of your registered children to ensure they are placed in the correct classes (e.g., Precious Bubs, Favoured Samuel).
Profile Media: You may choose to grant the App access to your device's photo library to upload a profile picture, training certificates, or event banners.
App Usage & Interaction: We store data relating to your event RSVPs, Sunday School check-ins, ministry availability, and completion of School of Ministry (SOM) milestones.
Media & Meeting Transcriptions: If you participate in recorded church meetings (such as Zoom sessions integrated with our systems), we may process audio and video data for transcription and organizational purposes.
2. Device Permissions
To function properly, the App may request the following device permissions:
Camera: Used strictly for scanning QR codes during event check-ins or Sunday School kiosk check-ins. We do not record video or take photos without your explicit action.
Photo Library: Used only when you specifically choose to upload an image to the App.
Biometric Authentication (Face ID / Touch ID): Used to securely log you into the App without a password. Biometric data is encrypted and stored locally on your device; it is never transmitted to or stored on our servers.
Push Notifications: Used to send you important church updates, event alerts, and automated birthday greetings. You can manage these preferences in your device settings.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your data exclusively for church-related operations, including:
Managing your church membership and ministry scheduling.
Processing event registrations and Sunday School check-ins securely.
Connecting you with your Family Altar (Connect Group).
Sending pastoral care communications and important notifications.
Generating meeting transcriptions and summaries using secure AI processing tools to assist church administration.
4. Third-Party Services
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We utilize trusted third-party service providers to operate the App, specifically:
Google Firebase & Google Cloud: Used for secure database hosting, user authentication, image storage, and push notifications.
Google Gemini AI: Used securely within our backend infrastructure to process meeting transcriptions and generate content summaries.
Algolia: Used to index content and provide fast, reliable search functionality within the App.
Zoom: Interacted with securely to fetch and process authorized church meeting recordings.
YouTube: The App embeds YouTube players for Bethany Sydney Worship and sermon broadcasts.
5. Data Security & Retention
Your data is stored securely using industry-standard encryption provided by Google Firebase. Furthermore, highly sensitive information is protected using specialized Vault Key encryption managed exclusively by our IT administrators. We retain your personal data only for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with church services.
6. Children's Privacy
Parents or legal guardians must create and manage profiles for their children within their own authenticated accounts. We use children's data strictly for Sunday School management, safety, and attendance tracking.
7. Your Rights (Account Deletion)
You have the right to access, update, or request the deletion of your personal data. You can delete your account and all associated data directly within the App at any time by navigating to your Account Settings and selecting "Delete Account." Alternatively, you can request account deletion by contacting the church office.
8. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us at: Email: admin@bethanysydney.org.au Address: Level 5, 683-689 George Street, Haymarket NSW 2000