Privacy Policy

Last Updated: September 27, 2025

Introduction

EpiscoBOT is an AI-powered chat service that provides information about the Episcopal Church using artificial intelligence technology. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you interact with our service.

Information We Collect

Chat Interactions

• Conversation Data: We log your questions, messages, and interactions with EpiscoBOT for research purposes
• Response Data: We record the AI-generated responses provided to you
• Session Data: We may collect timestamps and session duration information

Information We DO NOT Collect

• Personal identifiers such as names, email addresses, or phone numbers (Unless you provide them voluntarily with our "feedback" form.)
• IP addresses or other network identifiers
• Location data
• Device-specific information
• Cookies or tracking technologies for personal identification

How We Use Your Information

Research Purposes

• Analyze conversation patterns to improve EpiscoBOT's responses about Episcopal Church topics
• Study user inquiry trends to enhance our knowledge base
• Evaluate the effectiveness of AI responses for religious and theological questions
• Develop better understanding of user needs regarding Episcopal Church information

Service Improvement

• Enhance the accuracy of responses about Episcopal Church doctrine, history, and practices
• Improve the natural language processing capabilities of EpiscoBOT
• Identify gaps in our Episcopal Church knowledge base

Data Protection and Security

• All logged interactions are stored securely and access is limited to authorized research personnel
• We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data
• Conversation logs are anonymized and cannot be traced back to individual users
• We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your interaction data to third parties

Third-Party Services

OpenAI Integration

EpiscoBOT uses OpenAI's GPT-family models to generate responses. Your interactions may be processed by OpenAI's services in accordance with their terms of service and privacy policy. We recommend reviewing OpenAI's privacy policy for additional information about their data handling practices.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to track the use of EpiscoBOT. Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to monitor the use of our service and website. This data may be shared with other Google services and may be used by Google to personalize ads on its advertising network. For more information on Google's privacy practices, please visit the Google Privacy Terms web page: Google Privacy Terms. We also encourage you to review Google's policy for safeguarding your data: Google Analytics Data Safeguarding.

No Other Third Parties

We do not share your conversation data with any other third-party services, advertisers, or data brokers.

Data Retention

• Conversation logs are retained for research purposes for a period of 5 years
• After the retention period, data is securely deleted

You may request deletion of your conversation data at any time by contacting us (though, locating your conversation may be difficult since we don't store IP addresses or other personal information in the first place).

Your Rights

• Access: You may request information about what conversation data we have collected
• Deletion: You may request deletion of your conversation data
• Opt-out: You may choose not to use EpiscoBOT if you prefer not to have your interactions logged

Children's Privacy

EpiscoBOT is designed for general audiences seeking information about the Episcopal Church. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify users of any material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy.

Contact Information

To learn more about this site or to contact us regarding a privacy concern, please use our feedback form.

Consent

By using EpiscoBOT, you consent to the collection and use of your conversation data as described in this Privacy Policy for research purposes related to improving AI-powered religious education and information services.