Privacy Policy

Last Updated: June 16, 2026

SDA Journal respects and protects your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how SDA Journal collects, uses, stores, protects, shares, and disposes of personal data when you visit or use our website, online community features, registration/login features, comments, discussions, chat, media, forms, and other related services.

This Privacy Policy is prepared in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and relevant issuances of the National Privacy Commission of the Philippines.

For purposes of this Privacy Policy, SDA Journal acts as the Personal Information Controller for personal data collected through this website.

1. Personal Data We Collect

We may collect the following personal data depending on how you use the website:

  1. Account and profile information

    When you register, log in, or create a member account, we may collect:

    • Name or display name;
    • Username;
    • Email address;
    • Password or login credentials, stored securely;
    • Profile photo or avatar;
    • Account preferences;
    • Public profile information you choose to provide.

  2. Content you submit

    When you use the website, we may collect information you voluntarily submit, such as:

    • Comments;
    • Posts;
    • Discussions;
    • Prayer requests;
    • Chat messages;
    • Uploaded images, videos, or files;
    • Reports or support requests;
    • Other information you submit through forms.

    Please avoid posting sensitive information such as government ID numbers, financial information, private health details, confidential family matters, or other personal information that you do not want to be public.

  3. Google login information

    If you choose to sign in using Google, we may receive basic account information from Google, such as your name, email address, and profile image, depending on the permissions you approve. We use this information only to create, authenticate, and manage your SDA Journal account.

  4. Technical and usage information

    When you visit the website, our system may automatically collect:

    • IP address;
    • Browser type and version;
    • Device type;
    • Operating system;
    • Pages visited;
    • Date and time of access;
    • Referring website;
    • Login activity;
    • Security logs;
    • Cookies and similar technologies.

This information helps us operate, secure, improve, and maintain the website.

2. Purpose of Collecting and Processing Personal Data

We collect and process personal data only for declared, specified, and legitimate purposes, including:

  • To create and manage user accounts;
  • To allow users to log in, including through Google login;
  • To provide community features such as comments, discussions, prayer requests, chats, posts, and member interactions;
  • To display user-submitted content;
  • To respond to inquiries, reports, complaints, or support requests;
  • To send important account, security, or service notifications;
  • To send newsletters or updates, if the user subscribes or gives consent;
  • To protect the website from spam, fraud, abuse, unauthorized access, or security threats;
  • To improve website performance, user experience, and content;
  • To comply with legal obligations;
  • To establish, exercise, or defend legal claims when necessary.

We do not sell your personal data.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

SDA Journal processes personal data based on one or more of the following lawful grounds:

  • Your consent;
  • The need to provide website services or account features you requested;
  • Compliance with legal obligations;
  • Protection of the rights, safety, and security of users and the website;
  • Legitimate interests of SDA Journal, provided such interests do not override your fundamental rights and freedoms;
  • Other lawful grounds allowed under the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Where sensitive personal information is involved, such as information that may reveal religious affiliation, health details, or other sensitive matters, we process such information only when allowed by law, when necessary for the purpose for which it was voluntarily submitted, or when the user has given consent.

4. Publicly Visible Information

Some parts of SDA Journal may be public or visible to other users. This may include:

  • Display name;
  • Profile photo;
  • Comments;
  • Public posts;
  • Discussion replies;
  • Prayer requests posted publicly;
  • Uploaded content;
  • Other information you intentionally publish.

Please be careful when posting personal or sensitive information. Public content may be seen, copied, indexed by search engines, or shared by others.

5. Cookies and Similar Technologies

SDA Journal may use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Keep users logged in;
  • Remember preferences;
  • Improve website performance;
  • Protect against spam and abuse;
  • Analyze website traffic;
  • Support embedded content and third-party services.

You may disable cookies through your browser settings, but some website features may not work properly.

6. Third-Party Services and Processors

To operate the website, SDA Journal may use trusted third-party services, including but not limited to:

  • Web hosting providers;
  • Domain and security providers;
  • Email delivery services;
  • Google login/authentication services;
  • Analytics or performance tools;
  • Anti-spam and security plugins;
  • Backup and storage services;
  • Video, media, or embedded content providers.

These third parties may process personal data only as necessary to provide their services and are expected to apply appropriate security and confidentiality measures.

When you interact with third-party links, embedded videos, external websites, or social media platforms, their own privacy policies may apply. SDA Journal is not responsible for the privacy practices of websites or services that we do not control.

7. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share personal data only when necessary and lawful, such as:

  • With service providers who help operate and secure the website;
  • When required by law, court order, lawful request, or government authority;
  • To investigate or prevent fraud, abuse, spam, security threats, or illegal activity;
  • To protect the rights, safety, and property of SDA Journal, its users, or the public;
  • With your consent;
  • In connection with website maintenance, migration, backup, or technical support.

We do not sell personal data to advertisers or data brokers.

8. Retention of Personal Data

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes stated in this Privacy Policy, including:

  • While your account remains active;
  • As long as your content remains published on the website;
  • As required for security, backup, audit, or legal purposes;
  • As necessary to resolve disputes or enforce website rules;
  • As required by applicable law.

You may request deletion of your account or personal data, subject to legal, security, backup, and legitimate retention requirements.

Some information may remain in backup files or system logs for a limited period before secure deletion.

9. Protection and Security of Personal Data

SDA Journal implements reasonable organizational, physical, and technical security measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, loss, misuse, or destruction.

These measures may include:

  • SSL/HTTPS encryption;
  • Password protection;
  • Access controls;
  • Website security monitoring;
  • Spam and abuse prevention;
  • Regular backups;
  • Plugin and system updates;
  • Limited access to personal data;
  • Secure hosting and server controls.

However, no internet-based service can guarantee absolute security. Users are responsible for keeping their own login credentials confidential and for using strong passwords.

10. Data Breach Notification

In case of a personal data breach that is likely to result in serious harm or involves sensitive personal information or information that may enable identity fraud, SDA Journal will take appropriate steps to investigate, contain, and address the breach.

When required by law, SDA Journal will notify the National Privacy Commission and affected data subjects within the period required under applicable data privacy rules.

11. Rights of Data Subjects

As a data subject under the Data Privacy Act of 2012, you have the right to:

  • Be informed about how your personal data is collected and processed;
  • Object to the processing of your personal data;
  • Access your personal data;
  • Correct inaccurate or outdated personal data;
  • Request blocking, removal, or deletion of your personal data when allowed by law;
  • Withdraw consent, where processing is based on consent;
  • Data portability, where applicable;
  • Be indemnified for damages caused by violation of your privacy rights;
  • File a complaint with the National Privacy Commission.

To exercise your rights, please contact us using the contact details below.

12. Children and Minors

SDA Journal is intended for general Christian, devotional, and community use. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children without appropriate parental or guardian consent.

If you are a minor, please use this website with the guidance and permission of your parent or guardian.

If a parent or guardian believes that a child has provided personal data without proper consent, please contact us so we can review and take appropriate action.

13. User Responsibilities

By using SDA Journal, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate account information;
  • Keep your password confidential;
  • Avoid posting sensitive personal information publicly;
  • Respect the privacy of other users;
  • Avoid sharing another person’s personal data without permission;
  • Report suspected privacy or security issues to SDA Journal.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

SDA Journal may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the website, services, legal requirements, or data processing practices.

The updated version will be posted on this page with a new “Last Updated” date. Continued use of the website after changes are posted means you acknowledge the updated Privacy Policy.

15. Contact Information

For privacy-related questions, requests, complaints, account deletion, or data-subject rights concerns, please contact:

SDA Journal Privacy Contact / Data Protection Officer

Email: privacy[@]sdajournal.com

Website: SDA Journal

You may also file complaints directly with the National Privacy Commission of the Philippines if you believe your data privacy rights have been violated.