Terms of Service

Last updated: May 28, 2026

Welcome to Altar. By installing or using the app, you agree to these terms. Please read them carefully.

About Altar

Altar is a tool for Christian spiritual discipline. It helps you redirect distracting app use toward Scripture, reflection, and prayer. Altar is not a substitute for pastoral counseling, medical advice, mental health treatment, or professional therapy. If you are in crisis, please contact a qualified professional or a crisis line in your country.

Your content

Anything you write in Altar (reflections, journal entries, intentions) belongs to you and is stored only on your device. You can delete it at any time by clearing your history in Settings, by using "Reset All App Data" in Settings, or by uninstalling the app.

The Bible Assistant feature sends only your prompt and the relevant verse text to our backend; we do not store the prompt content. Please do not enter content that is illegal, harmful to others, or that violates someone else's privacy.

Subscriptions and payments

• Altar offers optional premium tiers (monthly and annual) via Apple's in-app purchase system.
• Subscriptions auto-renew until cancelled. Manage or cancel in iOS Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions.
• A 3-day free trial is available on the annual plan for new subscribers. If you do not cancel before the trial ends, your chosen plan begins.
• Refunds are handled by Apple per the App Store's refund policy.
• Prices and features may change; we will give notice before any change affects your existing subscription.

Acceptable use

You agree not to:

• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or extract source code from the app.
• Use the app to harass, spam, or harm others.
• Attempt to bypass Screen Time restrictions you have set for yourself in ways that defeat the app's purpose. (We provide an "emergency unlock" path on purpose — use it with integrity.)
• Use automated means to interact with our backend.

Community Content Standards (Altar Circles)

Altar Circles is an invite-only community feature. By posting any content (check-in text, Scripture passages, photos, captions, reflections, reactions) you agree to these standards. Altar has a no-tolerance policy for objectionable content and abusive behavior.

You may not post, share, or otherwise transmit content that:

• Contains sexual content, nudity, or sexually suggestive material.
• Contains hate speech or attacks based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or serious illness.
• Harasses, threatens, intimidates, or bullies another person.
• Contains graphic violence, gore, or content that glorifies self-harm or suicide.
• Discloses another person's private or identifying information without their consent ("doxxing").
• Impersonates another person, including pastors, public figures, or other Altar users.
• Is unsolicited advertising, spam, chain messages, or off-topic promotion.
• Infringes copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights.
• Promotes or facilitates illegal activity.
• Misrepresents Scripture in a way intended to deceive or manipulate other members.

Enforcement. Altar uses the following safety tools, which you agree to use in good faith:

• Report. Any member can report any check-in. Once two distinct members report the same check-in, it is automatically hidden from the entire Circle pending review.
• Block. Any member can block any other member. Blocked users disappear from each other's view in every shared Circle.
• Owner controls. Circle owners may remove members and disband the Circle.
• Altar action. We may, in our sole discretion, remove content, hide check-ins, suspend accounts, terminate accounts, and refuse service to anyone who violates these standards. We may take these actions with or without prior notice. Repeated or severe violations result in permanent account termination.

Your responsibility for your content. You are solely responsible for the content you post. You retain ownership of your content; by posting, you grant Altar a limited license to display it within the Circle to which you posted it. Altar does not claim ownership of your reflections.

Reporting urgent harm. If you become aware of an imminent threat to safety, contact local emergency services or a crisis line. Altar's report tool is not a substitute for emergency services.

Screen Time and app blocking

Altar uses Apple's Family Controls framework to shield apps you select. Altar cannot block apps that iOS does not allow it to block (for example, Apple's own system apps in some cases). Blocking is best-effort and depends on iOS behavior that is outside our control.

You are responsible for the apps you choose to block. Altar does not block apps by default; nothing happens until you add apps yourself.

No warranty

Altar is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not promise the app will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that it will prevent any specific outcome in your digital habits or spiritual life. Use Altar as one tool among many in your walk.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability to you for any claim arising from your use of Altar is limited to the amount you paid for the app in the 12 months before the claim, or $50, whichever is greater.

Termination

You may stop using Altar at any time by deleting the app. If you have used Altar Circles, you can also delete your account from Settings → Account → Delete Account, which removes your Circles content, profile, and block list from our backend. We may suspend or terminate access to backend features (such as the Bible Assistant) or to Altar Circles for users who violate these terms, including the Community Content Standards above, or who abuse the rate limits.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where we are established. Any disputes will be resolved there.

Changes

We may update these terms as the app evolves. The "Last updated" date above reflects the most recent version. Material changes will be communicated in-app.

Contact

Questions? Email thealtarapp@gmail.com