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Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

Effective Date: February 24, 2025
Governing Law: State of Indiana

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") outlines the rules and standards for using the CompassionCloud platform ("Service"). All users ("User," "Church," "Organization," or "you") must comply with this policy to maintain a safe, secure, and respectful environment when handling sensitive family information and managing outreach activities.

By using the Service, you agree to this AUP. Violations may result in suspended or terminated access.

1. Purpose of the AUP

This policy ensures that all users of CompassionCloud:

  • Handle sensitive information responsibly
  • Use the platform only for authorized ministry purposes
  • Maintain data privacy and security
  • Avoid actions that could harm individuals, churches, or the platform

2. General Acceptable Use

Users must:

  • Access the platform only for authorized church or ministry outreach activities
  • Maintain confidentiality of all family and volunteer information
  • Enter only appropriate and necessary data related to outreach and ministry cases
  • Use accurate, factual information in case notes and records
  • Follow their organization's internal privacy and data handling policies
  • Follow all applicable local, state, and federal laws

3. Prohibited Activities

3.1. Improper Data Entry

You may NOT input or store:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Credit card numbers or bank information
  • Medical diagnoses or protected medical information
  • Government-issued ID numbers
  • Highly sensitive or regulated legal documents
  • Passwords, PINs, or security credentials for third-party services

3.2. Unauthorized Access or Sharing

You may NOT:

  • Share your login credentials with anyone
  • Access data belonging to other churches
  • Export or share family information outside your organization without authorization
  • Use platform information for non-ministry-related purposes
  • Allow unapproved volunteers or staff to access the platform

3.3. Harmful or Abusive Behavior

Users may NOT:

  • Harass, intimidate, threaten, or harm individuals listed in the system
  • Enter defamatory, discriminatory, or abusive remarks
  • Use the platform to stalk individuals or invade privacy
  • Create false records or manipulate data intentionally

3.4. Security Violations

Users may NOT:

  • Attempt to hack, exploit, or circumvent platform security
  • Upload malware, malicious code, or harmful scripts
  • Perform vulnerability testing or unauthorized scanning
  • Use automated tools to scrape, extract, or harvest data
  • Attempt to access areas of the system they are not authorized for

3.5. Misuse of Communication Tools

Users may NOT:

  • Spam families, volunteers, or team members
  • Send unauthorized mass messages or solicitations
  • Use communication tools for political, commercial, or fundraising purposes unrelated to ministry outreach

4. Responsibilities of the Church/Organization

The Church or Organization is responsible for:

  • Ensuring only authorized personnel have access
  • Removing accounts for staff or volunteers who no longer serve
  • Training users on proper data handling and privacy practices
  • Ensuring compliance with CompassionCloud's policies
  • Monitoring user activity within their church account
  • Ensuring case notes are respectful, accurate, and appropriate

The Provider is not responsible for misuse by church staff, volunteers, or authorized users.

5. Platform Integrity

Users must not:

  • Modify, reverse engineer, or decompile platform code
  • Attempt to integrate unauthorized software
  • Interfere with normal platform operations
  • Use excessive automated actions that impair system performance

6. Data Confidentiality & Privacy

Users must:

  • Treat all information within the platform as confidential
  • Avoid discussing case information with unauthorized individuals
  • Protect personal devices used to access the Service (e.g., with passwords, screen locks)
  • Report suspected unauthorized access to leadership immediately

All data access must be strictly need-based and ministry-related.

7. Reporting Violations

Users should report misuse or violations of this AUP to:

The Provider reserves the right to investigate misuse, suspend accounts, or terminate access.

8. Enforcement & Consequences

Violations of this AUP may result in:

  • Required retraining
  • Temporary suspension of access
  • Permanent account termination
  • Notification to church leadership
  • Legal action if misuse results in harm or violates state/federal law

The Provider may take any necessary action to protect data integrity and system security.

9. Changes to the AUP

CompassionCloud may update this AUP at any time.

Continued use of the platform indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Governing Law

This AUP is governed by the laws of the State of Indiana and any disputes will be handled in accordance with Indiana law.