Privacy, Terms & Safety | Anchored by Grace

1. Privacy Policy

Who We Are

Anchored by Grace is a virtual addiction recovery platform offering tools, education, and AI-powered support through the Gracie mobile app and website (www.anchoredbygrace.online).

We're here to help you find strength, insight, and connection in your recovery journey — while keeping your information safe, private, and respected.

What We Collect

When you use Gracie and the Anchored by Grace website, we may collect:

Personal information: Name, email, and optional demographic details.
Recovery information: Your responses in check-ins, reflections, or journaling.
App activity: Anonymous usage data to improve user experience (e.g., which features are used most).

How We Use It

Your information is used only to:

Personalise your recovery support and check-in experience.
Send optional recovery summaries or resources (if you consent).
Improve and develop the app and website based on anonymous trends.

We never sell, rent, or share your personal recovery data with third parties.

Data Storage & Security

All data is stored securely using encrypted services hosted in compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
Access is restricted to authorised staff only.
You may request deletion of your account and all personal data at any time (see User Rights below).

Sensitive Information

Because Anchored by Grace may discuss topics related to mental health, addiction, or wellbeing, we treat this information as sensitive data. It is handled with heightened security and confidentiality.

Third-Party Tools

We may use secure third-party platforms for analytics or automation (e.g., Typeform, Make, or Firebase). These services only receive the data necessary to perform their role and are bound by strict privacy obligations.

2. Data Collection Consent

By creating an account or using Gracie, you consent to:

The collection and processing of your personal information as described in this policy.
The use of anonymised data for app improvement and statistical reporting.
Receiving optional recovery resources or email summaries if you've opted in.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by deleting your account or emailing support@anchoredbygrace.online.

Before you start, Gracie will clearly ask:

"Do you consent to Gracie collecting and securely storing your recovery responses and journaling to personalise your support experience?"
Yes / No

If you choose "No," you can still use limited features without personal data storage.

3. Terms of Use & Disclaimer

Purpose of the App

Gracie is a digital support companion designed to provide encouragement, recovery education, and reflection tools.

Gracie is not a licensed therapist or medical professional, and the app does not replace professional medical or psychological care.

User Agreement

By using Gracie, you agree to:

Use the app respectfully and for personal wellbeing purposes only.
Not use the app for emergencies or urgent crises.
Acknowledge that Gracie's responses are AI-generated and educational in nature.

No Medical Advice

All content, prompts, and suggestions are for informational and self-help purposes only. Always seek the advice of qualified health professionals regarding medical or mental health conditions.

Liability Disclaimer

Anchored by Grace and its creators are not responsible for decisions made based on app interactions or resources provided. Use of this app signifies understanding of its supportive (not clinical) role.

4. User Rights

As a user of Gracie, you have the right to:

Access – Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Correction – Ask for corrections to inaccurate or outdated information.
Deletion – Permanently delete your account and associated data.
Withdrawal of Consent – Stop data processing at any time by contacting us.
Transparency – Be informed about how your data is stored, used, and protected.

You can exercise these rights by emailing support@anchoredbygrace.online. Requests are typically processed within 14 business days.

5. Crisis Response Protocol

If a user expresses crisis language (e.g., "I want to die," "end it," "hurt myself"):

1. Immediate Response Message

"I'm really sorry you're feeling this way. You don't have to go through it alone. Please reach out to a professional or call a crisis line immediately.

If you're in Australia, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If you're elsewhere, please look up your local crisis helpline or call your local emergency number."

2. Automated Alert

A notification is sent to Anchored by Grace's support email indicating a potential crisis message has been triggered.
No personal data is disclosed beyond what is necessary to identify the trigger.

3. Disclaimer

Anchored by Grace does not monitor messages 24/7 and cannot guarantee emergency intervention.
The app will always provide helpline information but cannot replace professional or emergency care.

6. Age Restriction

Gracie is intended for adults aged 18 years and older.

If you are under 18, please seek consent from a parent or guardian before using the app.

7. Contact Information

If you have any questions or requests regarding privacy, data, or safety:

8. Ethical Commitment

Anchored by Grace upholds these values in every interaction:

Dignity: Every person deserves compassion, not judgment.
Confidentiality: Your story is yours.
Transparency: You always know what's happening with your data.
Hope: Recovery is possible — and you never walk alone.

Last updated: 2026. This policy may be updated from time to time. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any changes.