DefendChristianity.org
Effective Date: November 18, 2024
1. INTRODUCTION
DefendChristianity.org (“we,” “us,” “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, donate, volunteer, subscribe to our communications, or engage with our organization.
We take your privacy seriously—especially because many of those we serve operate in regions where disclosing their identity could mean imprisonment or death.
Please read this policy carefully. By accessing or using our website, you consent to the practices described herein.
2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT
2.1 Personal Information You Voluntarily Provide
We may collect the following personal information when you interact with us:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Identity Data | Name, username, title, date of birth |
| Contact Data | Email address, mailing address, phone number |
| Financial Data | Payment card details, billing address (processed securely by third-party payment processors) |
| Donation Data | Donation history, recurring gift preferences |
| Prayer Request Data | Information you submit through prayer request forms |
| Volunteer Data | Skills, availability, background information for service roles |
| Communication Preferences | Your choices regarding emails, newsletters, and alerts |
2.2 Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we automatically collect:
Usage Data: Pages viewed, time spent, links clicked
Device Data: IP address, browser type, operating system
Location Data: General geographic region (e.g., country, city level)
2.3 Sensitive Information
Given our mission, you may choose to share sensitive information—such as details about persecution, threats, or location of persecuted individuals. We treat all such information with the highest level of confidentiality and security.
Important: If you are in a region where accessing Christian content is dangerous, please exercise caution. We recommend using privacy tools such as VPNs and incognito browsing.
3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
We use your information for the following purposes:
| Purpose | Legal Basis (GDPR) |
|---|---|
| Process donations and provide tax receipts | Contractual obligation |
| Send newsletters, prayer updates, and urgent appeals | Legitimate interest / Consent |
| Respond to prayer requests and inquiries | Legitimate interest |
| Coordinate volunteer activities | Contractual obligation |
| Improve website functionality and security | Legitimate interest |
| Comply with legal and regulatory requirements | Legal obligation |
| Protect the safety of persecuted Christians and our field staff | Vital interest / Public interest |
We never sell your personal information to third parties.
4. SHARING YOUR INFORMATION
We may share your information in the following circumstances:
4.1 Service Providers
We share data with trusted third parties who help us operate:
Payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal) – for secure donation processing
Email service providers – for delivering newsletters and updates
Cloud storage providers – for secure data backup
Analytics providers – to understand website usage
All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.
4.2 Partner Organizations
We partner with several international agencies for humanitarian work. Your information is not shared with these partners unless:
You explicitly consent
It is necessary to fulfill a specific service you requested (e.g., volunteering in a joint program)
4.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental regulation—or if necessary to:
Protect our rights or property
Investigate fraud or security violations
Protect the safety of our staff, volunteers, or the persecuted Christians we serve
4.4 Protection of Persecuted Individuals
In extreme circumstances—such as a breach that could endanger field staff or persecuted believers—we may take emergency measures including temporary data restrictions without prior notice.
5. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
DefendChristianity.org operates globally. Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries where we have operations or service providers, including:
United States
Nigeria
United Kingdom
European Union member states
Other countries where we maintain partnerships
We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including:
Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission
Data processing agreements with all service providers
6. DATA SECURITY
We implement robust security measures to protect your information:
| Security Measure | Description |
|---|---|
| Encryption | SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted to/from our website |
| Access Controls | Strict role-based access to sensitive data |
| Secure Storage | Encrypted databases and secure cloud infrastructure |
| Regular Audits | Periodic security assessments and vulnerability scans |
| Staff Training | All personnel trained in data protection and confidentiality |
However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You share information at your own risk.
Special Note for Users in High-Risk Regions
If you are accessing our website from a country where Christian activity is criminalized or persecuted, please take additional precautions:
Use a VPN to mask your location
Use incognito/private browsing mode
Do not save login information on shared devices
Consider using a pseudonym when contacting us
7. YOUR RIGHTS
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
| Right | Description |
|---|---|
| Access | Request a copy of data we hold about you |
| Correction | Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data |
| Deletion | Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations) |
| Restriction | Request limited processing of your data |
| Portability | Request transfer of your data to another organization |
| Objection | Object to processing based on legitimate interests |
| Withdraw Consent | Withdraw previously given consent at any time |
To Exercise Your Rights
Contact us at: info@DefendChristianity.org
We will respond within 30 days (or as required by applicable law). We may request verification of your identity before processing your request.
8. COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:
| Cookie Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Essential Cookies | Required for website functionality (e.g., donation forms) |
| Analytics Cookies | Help us understand how visitors use our site |
| Preference Cookies | Remember your settings and preferences |
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.
We do not use cookies for:
Cross-site tracking for advertising
Selling data to third parties
Identifying individuals in high-risk regions
9. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
Our website and services are not directed to children under 13 years of age (or the applicable age of consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will delete such information.
10. THIRD-PARTY LINKS
Our website may contain links to external websites (e.g., partner organizations, news articles, Open Doors reports). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
11. DATA RETENTION
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Donation records | 7 years (for tax and legal compliance) |
| Newsletter subscribers | Until you unsubscribe |
| Prayer requests | 2 years (or as needed for follow-up) |
| Volunteer records | 5 years after last activity |
| Website usage data | 26 months (anonymized after 30 days) |
After retention periods expire, we securely delete or anonymize your information.
12. DO NOT TRACK SIGNALS
Our website does not currently respond to “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals because no universal standard exists. However, you can manage tracking through your browser settings and cookie preferences.
13. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs.
Material changes will be notified via email (if you have provided your email address) or through a prominent notice on our website.
The “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy will reflect the most recent revision.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
14. CONTACT US
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
DefendChristianity.org
Privacy Office
Email: info@DefendChristianity.org
15. COUNTRY-SPECIFIC PROVISIONS
15.1 European Economic Area (EEA) / United Kingdom (UK)
If you are located in the EEA or UK, you have additional rights under the GDPR and UK GDPR. Our lawful bases for processing are described in Section 3. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.
15.2 California Residents (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to:
Know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
Request deletion of your personal information
Opt out of the “sale” of your personal information (we do not sell your data)
Non-discrimination for exercising your rights
To exercise CCPA rights, contact us at info@DefendChristianity.org with “CCPA Request” in the subject line.
15.3 Nigeria
As we operate extensively in Nigeria, we comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) . You have the right to data portability, rectification, and erasure. Contact the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) if you believe your rights have been violated.
16. DISCLAIMER FOR HIGH-RISK USERS
If you are accessing our website from a country where Christians are actively persecuted (e.g., Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Sudan, Afghanistan, China), please understand:
Your internet activity may be monitored by your government or local authorities
We strongly recommend using privacy tools (VPN, Tor Browser, encrypted email)
Consider using a pseudonym when contacting us
Do not save passwords or personal information on shared devices
If your safety is at risk, do not provide identifying information
We cannot guarantee that your government cannot intercept or monitor your activity. You assume all risks associated with accessing our website from high-risk regions.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
By using DefendChristianity.org, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy.
For the persecuted. For the Church. For His glory.