Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 9, 2026

Hope Channel International ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you use our website and services.

1. Data Controller

Hope Channel International is the data controller responsible for your personal data. If you have questions about this policy, contact us at mail@hopechannel.tv.

2. What Data We Collect

We collect the following categories of personal data:

• Identity data: First name, last name
• Contact data: Email address, phone number, mobile number, postal address, city, state, zip code, country
• Form submission data: Any information you provide when submitting a form (prayer requests, questions, feedback, resource requests)
• Technical data: IP address, browser user agent, approximate country (derived from IP)
• Cookie data: Essential cookies for site functionality and optional analytics cookies (with your consent)

3. How We Collect Your Data

• Directly from you: When you fill out a form, enter a codeword, or submit a request
• Automatically: Technical data (IP address, browser type) is collected when you visit our site
• From third parties: We use ip-api.com to determine your approximate country from your IP address

4. Why We Process Your Data (Legal Basis)

We may use your personal data for marketing and pastoral care purposes as needed or as requested by you. This includes sending you information about our programs, resources, events, and spiritual encouragement, as well as providing personal pastoral support such as prayer follow-up and spiritual guidance when you reach out to us.

Purpose	Legal Basis (GDPR)
Respond to your form submissions and requests	Legitimate interest / Consent
Send you requested resources or downloads	Performance of a contract
Send marketing communications (program updates, events, resources)	Consent (opt-in)
Provide pastoral care, prayer follow-up, and spiritual guidance as needed or requested	Legitimate interest / Consent
Improve our services and understand our audience	Legitimate interest
Prevent fraud and ensure site security	Legitimate interest

5. Third-Party Data Sharing

We share your data with the following third parties:

• ip-api.com: Your IP address is sent to determine your approximate geographic location
• Hostinger (SMTP): Your email address and message content are processed through our email provider to send you communications
• Google (OAuth): If you use Google sign-in, your profile data is shared via Google's OAuth service
• Slack: If configured, submission notifications may be sent to internal Slack channels (containing your name, email, and form data)
• Google Analytics: If you consent to analytics cookies, your browsing data is shared with Google Analytics

We do not sell your personal data to any third party.

6. Cookies

We use the following cookies:

Cookie	Purpose	Type	Duration
Session cookie	Maintain your login session	Essential	Session
hcn_contact_id	Link your submissions together (encrypted)	Essential	30 days
hcn_remember	Keep you logged in (admin users)	Essential	30 days
hcn_last_email	Pre-fill your email on return visits	Functional	365 days
Google Analytics	Anonymous site usage analytics	Analytics (requires consent)	Varies

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy. Specifically:

• Contact records and form submissions are retained until you request deletion
• IP geolocation cache data is retained for operational purposes
• Admin audit logs are retained for compliance purposes

8. Your Rights (GDPR)

Under the General Data Protection Regulation, you have the following rights:

• Right of access: Request a copy of all personal data we hold about you — view your data
• Right to rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure: Request deletion of your personal data — submit an erasure request
• Right to restrict processing: Request that we limit how we use your data
• Right to data portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format — download your data
• Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw your marketing consent at any time — unsubscribe here
• Right to lodge a complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at mail@hopechannel.tv or use the links above.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data, including:

• Password hashing using bcrypt
• Encrypted cookies for sensitive identifiers
• Client-side form data encryption (AES-256-GCM)
• HTTPS encryption in transit (in production)
• Role-based access control for admin users

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe we have collected data from a child, please contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a notice on our website.

12. Contact Us

For any privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, contact:

Hope Channel International
Email: mail@hopechannel.tv