Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 21, 2026

TempleLinq ("we," "our," or "us") operates the TempleLinq mobile application and website. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information across all users of our platform.

1. Who This Policy Covers

This policy applies to three categories of users:

• Devotees — individuals who create personal accounts to discover temples, donate, and book services.
• Temple Administrators — authorized representatives of Hindu temples who manage a verified Temple Page on the platform.
• Volunteers — individuals who register through the platform to provide unpaid service to a temple.

Different types of data are collected from each category, as described below.

2. Information We Collect

All Users

• Account information: Name, email address, and profile photo when you create an account.
• Device token: A push notification token to deliver updates and reminders you have opted into.
• Usage data: Actions taken within the app such as temples followed, events registered for, services booked, and content viewed.
• Communications: Messages or support requests you send to us.

Devotees

• Location: Approximate device location to show nearby temples, only when you grant permission. We do not track your location in the background.
• Payment information: Donation and service booking amounts. All payment details are processed and stored exclusively by Stripe. We never store your card number, bank details, or full payment credentials on our servers.
• Donation history: Records of donations made, projects supported, and giving statements generated for your tax records.
• Photos: Profile photos you choose to upload, selected through your device's system photo picker. We do not access your full photo library.
• Booking details: Information submitted when booking a puja, prasad, or other temple service.

Temple Administrators

• Identity and organizational documents: Governing documents, leadership attestation, proof of operational status, and 501(c)(3) or equivalent nonprofit documentation submitted during onboarding and KYB (Know Your Business) verification.
• Banking and payout information: Collected and managed exclusively by Stripe through the Stripe Connect onboarding process. TempleLinq does not store bank account numbers or routing numbers.
• Temple Page content: All text, images, event listings, service offerings, and project descriptions submitted by the Temple Administrator for publication on the platform.
• Donation project reports: Progress reports, expense breakdowns, and photographs submitted by the Temple as required under our 90-day reporting obligation. These reports are retained by TempleLinq as part of the donation record.
• Transaction data: Records of donations received, service bookings fulfilled, and disbursements processed.
• Communications: Broadcasts and messages sent to Devotees through the platform's notification infrastructure.

Volunteers

• Registration information: Name, contact details, and any availability or skills information provided when registering as a Volunteer for a temple.
• Activity records: Volunteer roles accepted and service history within the platform.

3. How We Use Your Information

• To provide, operate, and improve the TempleLinq platform and its features.
• To send push notifications about temples you follow (you can opt out at any time in Settings).
• To process donations and service bookings on behalf of temples.
• To generate giving statements for your tax records.
• To verify temple identity and eligibility through KYB and onboarding processes.
• To retain donation project progress reports as part of the donation record.
• To match Volunteers with temple opportunities.
• To detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, chargebacks, and Terms violations.
• To comply with legal obligations, including financial recordkeeping and cooperation with law enforcement where required.
• To respond to support requests.

4. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We do not share data with third-party AI services. We share data only with:

• Stripe: To process payments, manage Temple payout accounts via Stripe Connect, and handle chargeback and fraud detection. Stripe's privacy policy governs data it holds.
• Firebase (Google): To deliver push notifications to your device.
• Our database and authentication provider: To store and manage your account data securely.
• Temple Administrators: Limited information (first name, booking details, volunteer registration details) strictly necessary to fulfill a service, event, or volunteer role. Temple Administrators are prohibited by our Terms & Conditions from using Devotee data for any purpose beyond fulfilling the relevant transaction.
• Donation project reports: Progress reports submitted by Temples are retained by TempleLinq as part of the donation record. TempleLinq does not share your personal contact details with other Devotees.
• Law enforcement and regulatory authorities: Where required by law, court order, or to protect the safety of our users or the integrity of the platform. This includes cooperation with financial regulators regarding suspicious transactions.

5. Marketplace

If you post a listing on the TempleLinq Marketplace, the content of that listing (including any contact information you choose to include) will be visible to other platform users. Do not include sensitive personal information in a Marketplace listing. TempleLinq is not responsible for how other users handle information you voluntarily disclose in a public listing.

6. Communications & Notifications

Transactional communications (donation receipts, booking confirmations, security alerts, password resets, and legal notices) are sent as part of operating your account and cannot be opted out of while your account remains active.

Marketing and Broadcast notifications from TempleLinq or Temples are sent only if you have explicitly opted in. You may withdraw consent and opt out at any time through your notification preferences in the app or by tapping "unsubscribe" in any marketing email. Opt-out requests are honored within 10 business days.

Temple Broadcasts are sent only to Devotees who have explicitly followed that Temple. If you no longer wish to receive communications from a specific temple, unfollow that temple in the app.

7. Data Retention

• Devotee account data: Retained while your account is active. Deleted within 30 days of an account deletion request, except where retention is legally required.
• Temple Administrator account data: Retained while the Temple Page is active. Retained for a minimum of 7 years after account closure to satisfy financial and legal recordkeeping requirements associated with processed donations.
• Donation and tax records: Retained for 7 years to comply with US financial regulations, regardless of account status.
• Donation project reports: Retained for a minimum of 7 years as part of the donation record associated with each project.
• Volunteer records: Retained while your account is active and for 2 years after account closure.
• Inactive Devotee accounts: Accounts with no login or activity for 24 consecutive months may be deleted after notice is sent to the registered email address. See our Terms & Conditions for details.
• Inactive Temple accounts: Temple Pages inactive for 12 consecutive months may be unpublished pending re-confirmation of active status.

8. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you as soon as reasonably practicable and in accordance with applicable law via the email address on your account, and will take prompt steps to contain and remediate the breach.

9. Children's Privacy

TempleLinq does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Users between 13 and 17 may create an account and use the platform's discovery and community features, but may not make financial transactions (donations, service bookings, or Marketplace purchases). By initiating any financial transaction, you represent that you are 18 years of age or older. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided personal information, we will delete it promptly.

10. Security

We use industry-standard measures including encryption in transit (TLS) and at rest to protect your data. Payment data is handled exclusively by Stripe and is never stored on TempleLinq servers. No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data. To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected].

California residents (CCPA): You have the right to know what personal data we collect, request deletion, and opt out of the sale of personal data. TempleLinq does not sell personal data. To exercise your California privacy rights, email [email protected].

Account deletion: You can delete your account at any time from the app (Profile → Settings → Delete Account) or by emailing us. Deletion removes your personal data within 30 days, except for donation and financial records retained for legal compliance.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the app or by email at least 14 days before the changes take effect. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

Questions about this Privacy Policy or your data? Email us at [email protected].