Privacy Policy — Shepherd's Alert

Who we are

Shepherd's Alert is a private safety-alert tool used by the volunteer response team of The Heart Church. It lets designated volunteers receive an immediate alert when a physical safety button is pressed on the church campus, so they can respond. Shepherd's Alert is operated by a church administrator. For any privacy question, contact nicolaasnf@hotmail.com.

Information we collect

• Name — so responders can be identified on the team roster and on alerts.
• Mobile phone number — so we can send safety-alert text messages and push notifications.
• Email address — used only as the account login.
• Device location — shared with your response team only after you press a safety button, and only for up to one hour after that press (or until you stop sharing), so responders can find you. During that hour your location may update while your phone is locked. Location is not collected or shared at any other time, and we do not track anyone's location on an ongoing basis.

People are added to Shepherd's Alert only by a church administrator, and each person enters their own information and agrees to receive alerts. There is no public sign-up.

How we use your information

• To send safety-alert text messages and app notifications to the volunteers assigned to a given button.
• To show the response team who was alerted and who responded.
• To operate and secure your login.

Text messaging (SMS)

• By providing your mobile number in Shepherd's Alert you consent to receive safety-alert text messages.
• Message frequency varies — messages are sent only when a safety button you are assigned to is pressed.
• Message and data rates may apply.
• Reply STOP at any time to stop receiving texts, or HELP for help.

We do not sell, rent, or share your phone number or any personal information with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Mobile information is used solely to deliver Shepherd's Alert safety alerts. Text messages are delivered through our messaging provider (Twilio) purely to carry the alert to your phone.

Data sharing

Your information is visible only to church administrators and to the response team within Shepherd's Alert. We share data only with the service providers that make the app work (our hosting and database provider and our SMS provider), and only to the extent needed to deliver the alerts. We do not share it with anyone else except where required by law.

Data retention & security

We keep your information for as long as you are part of the response team. Alert history is retained as a safety record. You can delete your own account and data at any time from inside the app (the ⋯ menu → Delete my account), or ask an administrator to remove you. Data is stored with industry-standard protections.

Your choices

You may opt out of texts anytime by replying STOP, turn off push notifications in the app, or ask an administrator to remove you entirely.

Changes

We may update this policy; the "last updated" date above will change accordingly.