Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 4, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how The Illuminated Word (the “Service”), operated by Ashley Cacamis as a sole proprietor, collects, uses, and protects your information when you read, search, or become a member.

1. Information we collect

• Account information — the email and password you use to sign up, and your name where you provide it. Passwords are stored in hashed form by our platform.
• Member profile — your display name, bio, county-level location (never precise street location), and favorite verse.
• Study content — your bookmarks, named studies, saved verses, study notes, devotional journal entries, study groups, and verses you share with a group.
• Group membership — if you lead or join a group membership, your user id and display name are stored with the group so the leader can manage members and your access can be verified.
• Messages you send us — contact-form submissions (name, email, message) and newsletter sign-ups (email).
• Usage and device — pages viewed, approximate region, browser and device type, and similar information used to operate and secure the Service.
• Payment — membership payments are processed by Base44 Payments. We receive confirmation of the transaction and your billing email, but we do not collect or store your full card number.

2. How we use your information

We use your information to operate and secure the Service, deliver membership features, sync your studies across devices, generate and display AI-assisted features, send transactional emails and (if you opt in) newsletter emails, prevent abuse, and comply with legal obligations.

3. Legal bases (EEA / UK)

Where EU/UK privacy law applies, we rely on your consent, the performance of our membership contract with you, and our legitimate interests in running and protecting the Service. You may withdraw consent at any time.

4. Cookies and local storage

We use authentication tokens to keep you signed in and browser local storage to save bookmarks before you log in. Analytics, if enabled, may use cookies you can control through your browser settings.

5. AI-assisted features

Inputs you provide — such as verses, notes, search terms, and shared group content — may be processed by AI providers to generate reflections, surface and rank results, and moderate content. See our AI-Assisted Features Disclosure.

6. Sharing and processors

We share information only with the service providers needed to run the Service: our hosting and database platform (Base44), our billing processor (Base44 Payments), AI model providers, and email delivery. We do not sell your personal information. We disclose information when required by law or to protect rights and safety.

7. Data retention

We keep your information while your account is active and delete or anonymize it after account closure, except where law requires longer retention. Bookmarks stored only in your browser remain until you clear browser storage.

8. Your rights

You may request access to, correction of, export of, or deletion of your personal information, and you may object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise any right, email Solstereastudio@gmail.com. Where EU/UK law applies, you may also lodge a complaint with your data protection authority.

9. Children

The Service is not directed to children under 13, and membership requires you to be 18 or older or to have parent or guardian consent. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

10. International transfers

Your information may be processed in countries other than your own. Where required, we rely on recognized safeguards for such transfers.

11. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, but no method of transmission or storage is completely secure.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy and will revise the “Last updated” date above when we do. Material changes will be noted on the Service.