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Last modified on January  8, 2026. 

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Privacy, Confidentiality, and Data Protection Policy

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(Required Policy of the First Church of Druwayu)

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By visiting the website of, interacting with, or becoming a member of the First Church of Druwayu (“the Church,” “this Church,” “our Church,” “we,” “us”), you acknowledge, understand, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy and the Terms of Service.

The English-language version of this Privacy Policy governs your relationship with the Church. Translations provided through automated tools (such as Google Translate) are offered solely as a convenience. At the time of this publication, the only recognized and authorized online websites of the Church are:

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No other website, platform, or domain is authorized to represent the Church.

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I. Foundational Principle

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The protection of privacy is essential to religious liberty, human dignity, autonomy, and free exercise of conscience. Privacy is continuous, unconditional, and fundamental, belonging to individuals and groups before, during, and after participation in Church activities.

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Privacy exists not only to prevent harm, but also to enable human autonomy, conscience, and self-determination. Without privacy, freedom is hollow, individuality collapses, and self-governance is impossible.

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This policy codifies the Church’s duty to safeguard personal, spiritual, confessional, educational, and associational information entrusted to it.

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II. Philosophical and Constitutional Foundation

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Privacy is not a conditional privilege or a tool for criminals; it is a continuous right and fundamental defense of freedom. To deny privacy is to demand:

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  • Permanent observability

  • Pre-approved thoughts

  • Monitored associations

  • Filtered expression due to fear of retaliation

 

Privacy allows:

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  • Whistleblowers to reveal wrongdoing

  • Dissidents to oppose tyranny

  • Victims to seek help

  • Lawyers to defend clients

  • Ordinary people to live free from manipulation

 

Encryption, anonymity, and privacy-preserving technologies are modern equivalents of locked doors, sealed letters, and confidential conversations. Criminalizing these tools harms the innocent far more than the guilty.

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The Modern Threat

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Advanced surveillance, AI, deepfakes, and biometric harvesting make privacy more essential than ever. Personal data can be used to:

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  • Impersonate individuals

  • Fabricate audio/video evidence

  • Destroy reputations

  • Frame innocent people

  • Commit financial or identity crimes

 

AI-generated images, videos, and voice clones can weaponize your likeness. Protecting your personal identity and data is a matter of personal safety and security, not preference.

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III. Legal Foundations

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This Privacy Policy is grounded in the following federal and state authorities:

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  • First Amendment, U.S. Constitution – Protects free exercise of religion, belief, speech, and association.

  • Fourth Amendment, U.S. Constitution – Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

  • Fifth Amendment, U.S. Constitution – Guards against self-incrimination and arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

  • Ninth Amendment, U.S. Constitution – Affirms unenumerated rights, including privacy.

  • Religious Freedom Restoration Act (1993) – Prohibits substantial burdens on religious exercise without compelling governmental interest.

  • Oregon Evidence Code ORS 40.260 – Protects confidential communications between clergy and members.

  • Oregon Mandatory Reporting Statutes (ORS 419B.005, et seq.) – Requires reporting of suspected child abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and elder abuse.

 

These authorities affirm the Church’s right and duty to establish strong privacy protections as integral to religious and secular life.

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IV. Scope of This Policy

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This Privacy Policy applies to information collected:

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  • On Church websites and digital platforms

  • During worship services, rituals, and ceremonies

  • During confessions, pastoral care, and spiritual counseling

  • During educational, mentorship, or training programs

  • Through correspondence (email, mail, phone, in-person)

  • During Church-affiliated events, schools, or institutions

 

This policy applies to all members, visitors, clergy (Warlocks and Witches), educators, counselors, volunteers, and employees.

 

V. What We Collect and How We Use It

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We may collect, with your consent:

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  • Names, usernames, email addresses, postal addresses, and telephone numbers

  • IP addresses, browser type, access times, and device information

  • Photos, survey responses, and communications

  • Payment and transaction information (encrypted)

  • Cookies used solely for site preferences and functionality

 

This information is used to:

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  • Administer Church operations

  • Coordinate events and programs

  • Fulfill contributions, purchases, and contracts

  • Respond to lawful government or law enforcement requests

 

Information is retained only as long as necessary for these purposes or to comply with legal obligations.

 

VI. Data Security

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  • Contributions and transactions are transmitted using secure, encrypted servers.

  • Only authorized Church staff or financial system personnel can access sensitive data.

  • All data is protected against unauthorized access using industry-standard security practices.

 

VII. Cookies and Analytics

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  • Cookies track user preferences, site functionality, and optional login persistence.

  • Statistical analytics help improve website content and features.

  • Cookies are not used for marketing or profiling.

  • You can delete or block cookies in your browser settings at any time.

 

VIII. Email, Postal, and Telephone Communications

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  • Email: Optional communications about Church activities; unsubscribe promptly honored.

  • Postal Mail: Refuse mail to be removed from lists.

  • Telephone: Confidential, never shared with third parties.

 

IX. Non-Disclosure to Third Parties

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The Church does not sell, rent, trade, or disclose personally identifiable information to outside parties. Private information is used solely for Church purposes.

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Privacy concerns involving third-party services (payment processors, embedded apps, website hosts) are between the user and that service.

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X. Confessional and Clergy Confidentiality

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  • All confessions, spiritual counseling, pastoral care, and religious instruction are sacred and confidential.

  • Protected by ORS 40.260 and constitutional religious freedom.

  • Disclosure occurs only as strictly required by law (see Mandatory Reporting).

 

XI. Mandatory Reporting Obligations

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  • Clergy, educators, counselors, and certain Church employees are mandated reporters under Oregon law (ORS 419B.005 et seq.).

  • Suspected child abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, or elder abuse must be reported.

  • Only the minimum legally required information is disclosed.

 

XII. Law Enforcement Requests

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  • Requests must be legally valid, properly issued, and consistent with constitutional protections.

  • The Church may challenge, limit, or refuse overbroad or unconstitutional requests.

 

XIII. Illegal Activity

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Users threatening violence, committing crimes, or using Church systems unlawfully may be reported to authorities consistent with applicable law.

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XIV. Continuous Privacy, Encryption, and Technology Rights

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  • Privacy is a continuous right, not activated only after harm.

  • Church members may use encryption, anonymity, and privacy-preserving technologies.

  • Limiting these tools reduces safety for the law-abiding, not criminals.

 

XV. Your Consent

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  • Accessing or using Church websites, communications, or services constitutes consent to this Privacy Policy.

  • If you do not consent, do not use the Church’s websites or services.

 

XVI. Policy Updates

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The Church may update this policy at any time. Continued use of services after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

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XVII. Affirmation

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Privacy within the First Church of Druwayu is:

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  • Spiritual – Protects the sacredness of confessions and pastoral care

  • Ethical – Upholds human dignity, autonomy, and conscience

  • Constitutional – Grounded in federal and state law

 

Privacy is non-negotiable. It is essential. It will be defended.

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XVIII. Closing Statement and Responsibility

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If you, at any time, voluntarily disclose your own personal, private, or personally identifiable information, the First Church of Druwayu cannot be held liable for your personal decisions or indiscretions.

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However, if you disclose, publish, or otherwise expose the private, personal, or personally identifiable information of others—especially without clear, written, and provable consent—the Church reserves the right to pursue legal action:

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  • On behalf of the individuals whose information was exposed, and/or

  • To protect the reputational standards, cultural integrity, and religious practices of the Church

 

Such actions may include civil remedies, injunctions, or other legal measures as permitted by law, including:

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  1. Federal Privacy Laws

    • Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) – Protects personally identifiable information maintained by entities acting on behalf of individuals.

    • Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA, 18 U.S.C. § 1030) – Criminalizes unauthorized access to computers or data, which can include improper disclosure of private information.

    • Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA, 18 U.S.C. § 1836) – Provides civil remedies for misappropriation of confidential information, which can apply to sensitive Church data.

  2. State of Oregon Laws

    • ORS 646A.602 – Unlawful Disclosure of Personal Information – Provides civil remedies for the unauthorized release of personal information.

    • ORS 646A.600 et seq. – Identity Theft and Unauthorized Use of Personal Information – Criminalizes and provides civil remedies for the misuse of another person’s identity or private information.

    • ORS 40.260 – Clergy-Penitent Privilege – Protects confidential communications with clergy; disclosure without consent may give rise to civil remedies.

 

By using Church services, websites, or participating in Church activities, you acknowledge your responsibility to respect the privacy of others and understand that violations of these policies may result in legal consequences, including civil liability, injunctions, or other remedies allowed under federal and Oregon law.

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