Privacy Policy

GracePulse ("we", "us", "our") builds software for churches and faith communities, including PaperlessPew (pew.gracepulse.net) and VVIG (vvig.gracepulse.net). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices available to churches ("Customers") and the guests, members, and visitors whose data Customers submit through our products ("Guests").

1. Information We Collect

a) Account information (Customers)

When a church signs up, we collect the account holder's name, email address, church name, and billing details, plus the country/region we detect via IP address at signup — used solely to apply fair, region-based (PPP-adjusted) pricing.

b) Guest and visitor information (VVIG)

When a Guest fills out a VVIG intake form (in person via QR code, or a New Convert registration), we collect: full name, gender, WhatsApp phone number and/or an alternate phone number, city/state/country, and whether they are local to the church or visiting. This data is submitted directly by the Guest, is owned by the Customer church, and is used to send automated WhatsApp and SMS follow-up messages on the church's behalf.

c) Bulletin subscriber information (PaperlessPew)

When someone subscribes to a church's digital bulletin, we collect their name and contact details so the church can notify them of new bulletins and announcements.

d) Technical data

We automatically log IP address, browser/device type, and timestamps for security, fraud prevention, and regional pricing detection (via a third-party IP geolocation lookup).

2. How We Use Information

• To operate and deliver the PaperlessPew and VVIG services a church has subscribed to
• To send WhatsApp and SMS follow-up messages that a church has configured, on the church's behalf
• To detect a Customer's region and apply the correct pricing tier
• To process subscription payments and SMS wallet top-ups
• To send service-related emails (billing, trial reminders, security alerts)
• To maintain the security and integrity of our platform

We do not sell Guest, member, or subscriber data to third parties, and we do not use Guest data for our own marketing.

3. Who We Share Data With

We share data only with the service providers necessary to run the platform:

• Meta / WhatsApp Business Platform — to deliver WhatsApp follow-up messages a church has authored
• TekSMS — to deliver SMS follow-up messages to Nigerian phone numbers
• Paystack — to process subscription payments and SMS wallet top-ups
• IP geolocation providers — to detect country/region for pricing purposes only

Each church may also connect its own WhatsApp Business Account and TekSMS account, in which case that church controls those credentials and is the data controller for its own messages sent through them.

4. Data Retention

We retain Guest and Customer data for as long as the church's account remains active, so follow-up sequences and historical reports continue to work correctly. A church may request deletion of its data, or of a specific Guest's data, at any time by contacting hello@gracepulse.net.

5. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to access, correct, export, or delete your personal data. Guests who wish to stop receiving follow-up messages should contact the church that registered them, since the church controls that relationship; we will also honor opt-out (e.g., "STOP") requests sent directly to a follow-up message where technically supported.

6. Security

We use industry-standard measures — encrypted connections, hashed passwords, and access controls — to protect data. No system is 100% secure, but we work to keep your information and your Guests' information safe.

7. Children's Privacy

Our products are intended for use by church administrators on behalf of their congregations, not directly by children. We do not knowingly collect data directly from children under 13.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated by email or an in-app notice. Continued use of our products after a change means you accept the updated policy.

9. Contact Us

Questions about this policy or your data? Reach us at hello@gracepulse.net.