Introduction
The Berean Institutes ("Institute," "we," "us," or "our") operates the website located at [bereaninstitute.org] (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Site. Please read this policy carefully. By accessing or using the Site, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Site. We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time. We will notify you of changes by updating the "Last updated" date of this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide Voluntarily
We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you create an account, make an optional support payment, enroll in a course, subscribe to the Journal of Biblical Antiquity and Heritage, submit an article for peer review, or contact us through the Contact page. This information may include your name, email address, and any other information you choose to provide.
Payment Information
Optional support payments, course payments, and subscriptions are processed by Stripe, Inc., a PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. When you make a payment, your financial information (credit card number, billing address) is transmitted directly to Stripe and is not stored on our servers. We receive only a transaction confirmation, amount, and a truncated card identifier. Stripe's privacy practices are governed by Stripe's own privacy policy, available at stripe.com/privacy.
Information We Do Not Collect
The Site uses essential cookies to maintain signed-in sessions. The Open Reference Library is free to browse without an account. If you choose to sign in and save study work, we store your Study List, notes, highlights, annotations, and Reader preferences with your account. We do not use tracking pixels, web beacons, browser fingerprinting, or behavioral monitoring. We do not deploy analytics services such as Google Analytics or embed advertising or social media tracking scripts. We do not collect IP addresses for tracking purposes or sell, rent, or trade personal information for marketing purposes.
How We Use Your Information
We use information collected through the Site solely for the purpose for which it was provided. This includes processing support payments and other payments, providing access to courses and subscriber content, authenticating user accounts, responding to inquiries submitted through the Contact page, sending journal issues or course materials to subscribers and enrolled students, and managing article submissions for the Journal of Biblical Antiquity and Heritage.
We do not use your information for targeted advertising, profiling, automated decision-making, or any purpose unrelated to the services you requested.
Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes. We may disclose your information in the following limited circumstances: to Stripe, Inc. for payment processing; to comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request; to enforce our Terms of Use or protect the rights, property, or safety of the Institute, our users, or others; or with your explicit consent.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Account data is retained for the duration of your account. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us.
Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your personal information. Account passwords are stored using industry-standard cryptographic hashing. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Your Privacy Rights
All Users
Regardless of your location, you have the right to access the personal information we hold about you, request correction of inaccurate information, request deletion of your personal information, and withdraw consent for data processing at any time. To exercise any of these rights, contact us through the Contact page.
California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) provide you with additional rights regarding your personal information. You have the right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose. You have the right to request deletion of your personal information. You have the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information. We do not sell personal information. You have the right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights. To submit a verifiable consumer request, contact us through the Contact page.
European Economic Area Residents (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provides you with additional rights. The legal basis for processing your data is your explicit consent (provided when you create an account, make an optional support payment, or subscribe) or the performance of a contract (course enrollment, journal subscription). In addition to the rights listed above, you have the right to data portability and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. We do not transfer your data outside the EEA except to Stripe for payment processing, which maintains appropriate safeguards as described in their privacy policy.
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
The Institute does not sell, rent, or trade personal information to any third party for any purpose. This applies to all users regardless of location.
Governance Transparency Dashboard
The Governance Transparency Dashboard displays financial data related to the Institute's operations. No supporter names, personal details, or individually identifiable information are displayed on the dashboard. Financial entries are identified only by transaction type, purpose code, and cryptographic hash.
Third-Party Links
The Site contains links to external websites, including curated study tools on the Resources page. These third-party sites operate under their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
Children's Privacy
The Site is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us.
Cookie Policy
This Site does not use cookies. No first-party cookies, third-party cookies, session cookies, persistent cookies, or tracking cookies of any kind are deployed. No cookie consent banner is necessary because no cookies are used.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be indicated by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the Site after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, your personal information, or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us through the Contact page.
Berean Institutes
Nebraska, United States