Terms of Service

Effective Date: November 13, 2025

Please read these terms carefully before using Sanctus.

Welcome to Sanctus

Sanctus is a spiritual companion app that provides daily Bible verses, AI-powered Bible chat, interactive games, prayer tools, meditation guides, Sanctus Circles for community, and more. By downloading, installing, or using Sanctus, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use our service.

Effective Date: November 13, 2025

Important: If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Services.

1. Acceptance of Terms

1.1 Agreement to Terms

By downloading, installing, or using Sanctus, you agree to these Terms of Use. This agreement applies to both registered and anonymous users. You must be at least 13 years of age (or the age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). Users under 18 must have parental consent.

1.2 Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated with 30 days' notice via email and in-app notification. Continued use of the app after updates constitutes acceptance. If you disagree with changes, you may terminate your account.

2. Description of Service

2.1 Core Features

Sanctus provides:

  • AI-Powered Spiritual Guidance & Bible Chat

  • Daily Bible Content (verses, devotionals, prayers)

  • Bible Study Tools and multiple Bible translations

  • Spiritual Tracking & Faith Goals

  • Sanctus Circles - Community prayer groups

2.2 Service Availability

Service is provided "as is" and "as available." We do not guarantee uninterrupted access. Features may change or be discontinued with notice.

2.3 Technical Requirements

You must use a compatible iOS or Android device with internet access. The current app version is recommended for optimal experience. Minimum OS versions are specified in the app stores.

3. AI Spiritual Guidance Disclaimers

3.1 Nature of AI Guidance

AI responses are educational and inspirational, not professional counseling or therapy. They do not replace pastoral care or mental health treatment. Biblical responses are based on Christian principles but may not reflect all denominations.

3.2 Limitations of AI Technology

AI may produce incorrect or incomplete responses. No guarantee of theological accuracy is made. Users are encouraged to verify biblical references with trusted sources.

3.3 Crisis Situations

Sanctus is not for emergencies. For crises, users must contact local emergency services or hotlines like 988 (U.S. Suicide Prevention Lifeline) or Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741).

3.4 Theological Positions

Sanctus strives for broadly accepted Christian teachings. Content may not align with specific denominations. Users are encouraged to consult their spiritual leaders.

4. User Accounts & Responsibilities

4.1 Account Creation

You may create an account using email/password, Apple Sign-In, or Google Sign-In. Users must provide accurate registration info and keep their account secure. One account per user is permitted.

  • Provide accurate and complete information
  • Maintain the security of your account credentials
  • Be responsible for all activities under your account
  • Not share your account or credentials with others
  • Account verification may be requested at our discretion

4.2 User Responsibilities

Users agree to use the app respectfully and for personal spiritual growth. Sharing login credentials is prohibited. Use the app with sincerity and respect for Christian values.

4.3 Prohibited Activities

Users may not:

  • Reverse engineer or hack the app
  • Use the app for commercial gain without permission
  • Share offensive content
  • Scrape Bible content for redistribution
  • Impersonate religious figures or promote non-Christian doctrines

5. Subscription Terms & Billing

5.1 Premium Subscriptions

Sanctus offers subscription tiers. Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled. Billing is handled via app stores (Apple App Store and Google Play).

5.2 Pricing & Changes

Prices are set in app stores and may change with 30-day notice. Existing subscriptions retain old pricing until renewal.

5.3 Cancellation & Refunds

Subscriptions must be cancelled via app store settings. Refunds follow app store policies. Premium access remains until the end of the billing cycle.

6. Content Guidelines & Community Standards

You agree to use Sanctus in a manner consistent with Christian values, our Community Guidelines, and our mission to reduce human suffering through faith. Sanctus Circles are faith-based community groups where you must treat all members with respect and kindness.

Permitted Uses

  • Reading and studying Scripture
  • Participating in Sanctus Circles respectfully
  • Creating prayers and tracking faith goals
  • Following circle-specific rules
  • Reporting policy violations

Prohibited Uses

  • Hate speech, harassment, or bullying
  • Inappropriate sexual content
  • Spam or commercial solicitation
  • Impersonating users or creating fake accounts
  • Circumventing security or rate limits

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 App Content Ownership

The Sanctus app, original content, and design are our property. Bible content is from licensed or public domain sources. All features comply with Apple's App Store Review Guidelines.

7.2 Bible Text Licensing

Public domain versions (e.g., KJV) are freely used. Licensed versions are used by agreement. Redistribution outside the app is not allowed.

7.3 User-Generated Content

You retain ownership of your prayers and chat content. We process this data for functionality, not public sharing. By submitting content, you grant us a license to:

  • Store, display, and moderate your content
  • Share within Sanctus Circles based on privacy settings
  • Use AI for content moderation to ensure community safety

7.4 AI-Generated Content

AI responses are created for your personal spiritual growth. They may be used to improve the app's performance.

7.5 Trademark Rights

"Sanctus" and related branding are trademarks. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

8. Third-Party Services & Integrations

8.1 AI Service Providers

Our AI guidance is powered by third-party AI services and subject to their terms and privacy policy. AI responses are for educational purposes only.

8.2 Cloud Services

Data storage and authentication is handled by cloud providers under their terms of service.

8.3 Bible Content APIs

We use licensed Bible content APIs for verse delivery. Their terms apply.

8.4 Authentication Providers

OAuth providers (Google, Apple) are subject to their own terms when you use social sign-in.

8.5 App Store Compliance

Subscriptions and usage are governed by the Apple App Store and Google Play Store terms.

9. Privacy & Data Protection

9.1 Privacy Policy Incorporation

Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your data. It is part of these Terms and available at thesanctusapp.com/privacy.

9.2 Data Sharing Limitations

Spiritual data is not shared with others without your consent. Anonymous data and analytics may be collected for app improvement.

9.3 Data Retention

Account data is retained while active. Chat history is stored until deletion. Anonymous data is periodically purged. You may delete your account anytime.

10. Disclaimers & Limitations of Liability

10.1 Service Disclaimers

Sanctus is provided "AS IS" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We don't guarantee spiritual outcomes or technical performance. We do not warrant that:

  • The service will be uninterrupted or error-free
  • AI responses will be accurate or complete
  • Defects will be corrected
  • The service is free from viruses or harmful components

10.2 Spiritual Guidance Limitations

AI guidance is not professional religious counseling, therapy, or medical advice. You remain solely responsible for your spiritual decisions. Sanctus does not replace pastoral care, church attendance, or professional mental health services.

10.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

  • Our liability is limited to the amount paid for services in the past 12 months
  • We're not responsible for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
  • We're not liable for third-party actions, content, or services
  • We're not responsible for data loss, business interruption, or lost profits

10.4 Force Majeure

We're not liable for interruptions beyond our control (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, internet outages, government actions, or acts of God).

11. Termination

11.1 User Termination

You may delete your account anytime in the app. Subscriptions must be cancelled via app stores. Upon termination, your data will be deleted per our Privacy Policy.

11.2 Our Right to Terminate

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately for:

  • Violating these terms or Community Guidelines
  • Abusive behavior or harassment
  • Fraudulent activity or payment disputes
  • Multiple policy violations
  • Impersonation or deceptive practices

11.3 Effect of Termination

Premium access ends immediately. Data is deleted per retention policies. Subscriptions continue until the end of the billing period. Some data may be retained for legal or safety purposes.

13. Special Religious Considerations

13.1 Denominational Diversity

Sanctus serves users from various Christian traditions. Content may not reflect specific doctrines of all denominations. Users are encouraged to consult their spiritual leaders for denominational guidance.

13.2 Theological Accuracy

While we aim for biblical integrity, we do not guarantee theological perfection. AI responses are based on broad Christian teachings and may require verification with trusted sources.

13.3 Pastoral Relationship

The app does not replace church, sacraments, or community. We encourage ongoing pastoral support and local church involvement.

14. Accessibility & Accommodation

14.1 Accessibility Features

We aim to support users with disabilities through accessibility tools, large text, and voice input where possible. We comply with applicable accessibility standards.

14.2 Religious Accommodations

We support various Christian practices with flexible spiritual tracking, Bible translation options, and cultural sensitivity.

15. Updates & Modifications

15.1 App Updates

We release updates for performance, security, and new features. Legacy versions may not be supported. We recommend keeping the app updated.

15.2 Feature Changes

Features may be changed, added, or removed with notice. User feedback is welcomed through in-app support.

15.3 Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms to reflect new features, legal requirements, or community feedback. Material changes will be communicated with 30 days' notice via in-app notification or email. Continued use constitutes acceptance.

16. Contact & Support

16.1 Customer Support

Email: support@thesanctusapp.com

In-App Support: Profile → Support Center

Response Time: 48–72 hours

16.2 Emergency Resources

Sanctus is not for emergencies. If you're in crisis, please contact:

  • Suicide Prevention (U.S.): Dial 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • International: Visit findahelpline.com
  • Spiritual Crisis: Contact your pastor or chaplain

Agreement Acknowledgment

By using Sanctus, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service, our Privacy Policy, and our Community Guidelines.

Thank you for using Sanctus. We pray it supports your walk with Christ. 🙏