Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Sea & Seeds ("we," "us," "our," or "the Site") is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of all visitors, users, and participants ("you" or "User") who access our website at seaandseeds.com (the "Website" or "Site"). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect your personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including but not limited to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other relevant privacy legislation.

By accessing or using our Website, participating in our Bible study groups, or otherwise engaging with our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not use our Website or services.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information:

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Contact Information: When you register for Bible study groups, subscribe to newsletters, or contact us, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, and any other information you voluntarily provide.

• Account Information: If you create an account on our Website, we collect username, password, and profile information.

• Communication Data: When you communicate with us via email, contact forms, or other means, we collect the content of your communications and associated metadata.

• Participation Data: Information related to your participation in Bible study groups, including attendance records, discussion contributions (if recorded), and feedback.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: We automatically collect information about how you access and use our Website, including your IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, referring/exit pages, date/time stamps, and clickstream data.

• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activities. For detailed information, please see Section 7 (Cookies and Tracking Technologies).

• Analytics Data: We may use third-party analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to collect and analyze usage patterns and demographic information in aggregate form.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party platforms if you interact with us through social media or other external services. This may include publicly available information and any data you have authorized those platforms to share with us.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the personal information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 To Provide and Improve Our Services

• Facilitate your participation in Bible study groups and other community activities

• Respond to your inquiries, comments, and requests

• Send you newsletters, articles, and updates about our content and services (with your consent where required)

• Maintain, improve, and customize the Website and user experience

• Conduct research and analysis to better understand our audience and improve our content

3.2 Legal and Security Purposes

• Comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from public authorities

• Protect and defend our rights, property, and safety, and that of our users and the public

• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, security issues, and technical problems

• Enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements

3.3 Communication and Marketing

• Send administrative information, such as updates to our policies or service changes

• Provide you with information about Catholic resources, events, and content we believe may interest you (you may opt out at any time)

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, and Switzerland, we process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: You have given clear consent for us to process your personal data for specific purposes (e.g., newsletter subscriptions, Bible study participation)

• Contractual Necessity: Processing is necessary to fulfill our obligations under any agreement we have with you

• Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests or those of a third party (provided your rights do not override those interests), such as improving our services, conducting analytics, and ensuring security

• Legal Obligation: Processing is necessary to comply with applicable laws and regulations

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:

• Website hosting and maintenance providers

• Email service providers for newsletter distribution

• Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics)

• Video conferencing platforms for Bible study groups (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)

• Customer relationship management (CRM) systems

These service providers are contractually obligated to use your personal information only for the purposes we specify and to maintain appropriate security measures.

5.2 Legal Requirements and Protection of Rights

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., court orders, subpoenas, government agencies). We may also disclose information when we believe in good faith that such disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations

• Protect and defend our rights or property

• Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Website

• Protect the personal safety of users or the public

5.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, your personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on our Website of any change in ownership or uses of your personal information.

5.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information for any other purpose with your explicit consent.

6. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction. When we transfer personal data internationally, we implement appropriate safeguards, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission

• Adequacy decisions recognizing certain countries as providing adequate data protection

• Other legally approved transfer mechanisms

By using our Website and services, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your country of residence.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activities and to enhance your experience on our Website.

7.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Website to function properly and cannot be disabled

• Performance Cookies: Collect information about how visitors use our Website to help us improve functionality

• Functional Cookies: Enable personalized features and remember your preferences

• Advertising/Targeting Cookies: Used to deliver relevant content and track the effectiveness of advertising campaigns (if applicable)

7.2 Third-Party Cookies

We may allow third-party service providers (such as Google Analytics) to place cookies on our Website to collect usage information and provide analytics services.

7.3 Managing Cookies

Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can modify your browser settings to decline cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our Website. You can manage your cookie preferences through:

• Browser settings (instructions vary by browser)

• Third-party opt-out tools (e.g., Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on)

• Our cookie consent management tool (if applicable)

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. The criteria we use to determine retention periods include:

• The length of time we have an ongoing relationship with you and provide services to you

• Whether there is a legal obligation to which we are subject

• Whether retention is advisable in light of our legal position (such as regarding applicable statutes of limitations, litigation, or regulatory investigations)

When we no longer need your personal information, we will securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

9. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

9.1 Rights Under GDPR (EEA, UK, Switzerland)

• Right of Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you

• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information

• Right to Erasure ("Right to Be Forgotten"): Request deletion of your personal information under certain circumstances

• Right to Restriction of Processing: Request that we limit the processing of your personal information

• Right to Data Portability: Request a copy of your personal information in a structured, machine-readable format

• Right to Object: Object to our processing of your personal information based on legitimate interests

• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent at any time where we rely on consent as the legal basis for processing

• Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority

9.2 Rights Under CCPA (California Residents)

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you

• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions

• Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of the "sale" of personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)

• Right to Non-Discrimination: Not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your privacy rights

9.3 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 14 (Contact Information). We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law (generally within 30 days). We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

9.4 Opt-Out of Marketing Communications

You may opt out of receiving promotional emails from us by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in those emails or by contacting us directly. Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still send you non-promotional messages related to your account or our ongoing relationship.

10. Security of Your Information

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to protect your personal information against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, or access. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS protocols

• Secure storage systems with restricted access

• Regular security assessments and updates

• Access controls and authentication procedures

However, please be aware that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any account credentials and for any activities that occur under your account.

11. Children's Privacy

Our Website and services are not directed to children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without proper parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible.

For users between the ages of 13 and 18 (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction), we recommend that you review this Privacy Policy with a parent or guardian and obtain their permission before using our Website or providing any personal information.

12. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Website may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not owned or controlled by Sea & Seeds, or the owners of the site and domain. This Privacy Policy applies only to our Website and services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites or services before providing them with your personal information.

When you participate in our Bible study groups via third-party platforms (such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams), those platforms' privacy policies and terms of service will also apply to your use of their services. We encourage you to review their policies as well.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy. If we make material changes that significantly affect your rights or how we use your personal information, we will provide prominent notice on our Website or notify you by email (if you have provided your email address).

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we collect, use, and protect your information. Your continued use of our Website or services after any modifications to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.

14. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Sea & Seeds

Website: seaandseeds.com

15. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

This Privacy Policy and any disputes arising out of or related to it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Tennessee, US, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

For EEA, UK, and Swiss residents: If you have a complaint regarding our processing of your personal information, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority. However, we encourage you to contact us first so we can attempt to resolve your concerns.

16. Additional Provisions for Specific Jurisdictions

16.1 California Residents - Shine the Light Law

California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits California residents to request certain information regarding our disclosure of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. We do not share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

16.2 Nevada Residents

Nevada residents have the right to opt-out of the sale of certain covered information collected by website operators. We do not sell your covered information as defined under Nevada law. If you have questions, please contact us using the information in Section 14.

16.3 Canadian Residents

We comply with Canadian federal and provincial privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Canadian residents have rights to access, correct, and request deletion of their personal information as outlined in this Privacy Policy.

17. Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring that our Privacy Policy is accessible to all users. If you have difficulty accessing or understanding any part of this Privacy Policy due to a disability, please contact us, and we will work to provide the information in an alternative format.

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Acknowledgment: By using our Website and services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms and conditions. You further acknowledge that Sea & Seeds is not a company but a private website operated to foster a more connected Catholic community, and that we are not liable for any damages, losses, or claims arising from your use of our Website or services.