Shepherd's Rod Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how the Shepherd’s Rod application handles information when you use the app. The Shepherd’s Rod app is designed primarily as an offline reading and study application. It provides access to Shepherd’s Rod writings and related study features such as search, highlighting, bookmarks, notes, reading preferences, and language support.

2. Information We Collect

The Shepherd’s Rod app does not currently require users to create an account or sign in. The app is designed to minimize the collection of personal information.

Information stored locally on your device may include:

• bookmarks
• highlights
• personal notes
• reading position
• language selection
• font and display preferences
• app settings
• downloaded or locally stored content

This information is used only to provide the app’s study and reading features. Unless otherwise stated in this policy, this locally stored information is not transmitted to us.

3. Personal Information

The current version of the Shepherd’s Rod app is not designed to collect personal information such as your name, physical address, phone number, precise location, contacts, financial information, health information, passwords, or government identification information.

The app does not require access to your contacts, location, microphone, camera, SMS messages, or call logs for normal reading and study functions.

4. Analytics and Advertising

The current version of the Shepherd’s Rod app does not contain third-party advertising. We do not currently use third-party advertising networks to track users across apps or websites. The app is not intended to sell personal information or user data.

If analytics, crash reporting, advertising, or similar services are added in a future version, this Privacy Policy and the Google Play Data Safety disclosure will be updated before those services are used.

5. Translation Feedback

The Shepherd’s Rod app may include, now or in a future version, a feature allowing users to report translation errors or suggest improved translations.

If you choose to submit translation feedback, information associated with the report may include:

• the language being reviewed
• the book, section, page, or paragraph
• the existing translated text
• the related original text
• your suggested correction
• comments that you voluntarily provide

If a future version allows you to optionally provide a name, email address, or other contact information with a translation report, that information will be used only for reviewing or following up on the submitted translation feedback unless otherwise disclosed.

Translation suggestions will not automatically replace the official text. Submitted corrections may be reviewed by authorized reviewers before being included in future app or content updates.

6. Internet Access

Most reading and study features are intended to work offline.

Internet access may be used for optional functions such as:

• checking for app or content updates
• downloading updated content
• submitting translation feedback
• accessing external resources
• other online features that may be added in the future

The app will not intentionally transmit personal information merely because an internet connection is available.

7. Device Storage and Backups

The app may use device storage to preserve study information such as notes, bookmarks, highlights, reading progress, and settings.

Android operating-system backup or device-transfer features may preserve some app data depending on your device and Android settings.

Large library files or content that can be downloaded again may be excluded from system backups in order to reduce unnecessary backup storage.

Some backup locations selected by the user may need to be selected again after reinstalling the app or restoring the app to a new device.

8. Data Sharing

We do not sell personal information. We do not intentionally share personal or sensitive user data with advertisers or data brokers.

If information is submitted through an optional online feature such as translation feedback, it may be accessed by authorized administrators or reviewers solely for the purpose of operating that feature.

We may disclose information when required by applicable law, legal process, or a lawful government request.

9. Data Retention

Information stored locally on your device generally remains there until you delete it within the app, clear the app’s data, uninstall the app, or your device or operating system removes it.

Information voluntarily submitted through an online feature, such as translation feedback, may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary to review the submission, maintain translation history, prevent abuse, or improve the application.

When information is no longer reasonably needed, it may be deleted or anonymized.

10. Data Deletion

Because the current version does not require a user account, there is no centralized user account to delete.

You can generally remove locally stored app information by deleting individual notes, bookmarks, or highlights where that option is available, clearing the app’s storage through Android settings, or uninstalling the application.

If a future version introduces user accounts or stores personal information on our servers, we will provide a clear process for requesting account and data deletion and update this policy accordingly.

11. Security

We take reasonable measures to protect information handled by the application.

The application is designed to limit access to personal and sensitive information and to avoid requesting unnecessary Android permissions.

No method of electronic storage or transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure, but we aim to use appropriate safeguards for any information that may be transmitted or stored.

12. Children’s Privacy

The Shepherd’s Rod app is a religious reading and study application and is not designed to collect personal information from children.

Users should not submit personal information through optional feedback features unless appropriate.

If we learn that personal information from a child has been collected in a manner that requires deletion under applicable law, we will take reasonable steps to remove it.

13. Third-Party Links

The app may contain links to external websites or services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third-party websites or services. Users should review the privacy policies of those services separately.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as the Shepherd’s Rod app changes.

When material changes are made, the effective date at the top of this policy will be updated.

If new features materially change how user data is collected, used, or shared, this policy and the corresponding Google Play Data Safety disclosure will be updated as required.

15. Contact

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the Shepherd’s Rod app, contact:

• Developer/Publisher: MeloviaStudio
• Organization/Ministry: DSDA BashanHill
• Application: Shepherd’s Rod
• Privacy Contact Email: dsda@bashanhill.org