How we hold what you share.
Reaching out to the Center for Rahma Connections is an act of trust. This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect the personal information you share with us. Effective and last updated: July 1, 2026.
1. Introduction
The Center for Rahma Connections ("CRC," "we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our members and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect personal information obtained through the CRC matchmaking and relationship services website (the "Platform").
CRC is the data controller responsible for determining the purposes and means of processing personal information collected through the Platform.
CRC utilizes the SmartMatch software platform and related services provided by SmartMatch Systems Inc. ("SmartMatch"). In providing technical hosting, software, support, and related services, SmartMatch acts as a data processor on behalf of CRC and processes personal information only in accordance with CRC's instructions and applicable law.
By creating an account, submitting information, or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
2. Information We Collect
We collect the following categories of personal information.
Information you provide directly. When you register, complete a profile, communicate with CRC, or use the Platform, we may collect:
- Name and preferred name.
- Email address.
- Telephone number.
- Date of birth and age.
- Gender.
- Marital status.
- Geographic location.
- Educational background.
- Employment and professional information.
- Profile photographs and uploaded content.
- Personal preferences and interests.
- Matchmaking preferences and compatibility criteria.
- Communications with CRC staff, volunteers, moderators, or matchmakers.
- Any other information you voluntarily provide.
Sensitive personal information. Because CRC is a faith-based matchmaking service, we may collect and process certain categories of sensitive personal information, including:
- Religious affiliation and denomination.
- Religious beliefs, practices, observance levels, and preferences.
- Cultural or ethnic background where voluntarily disclosed.
- Information concerning family circumstances.
- Other sensitive information voluntarily provided as part of the matchmaking process.
CRC processes sensitive personal information only with your explicit consent and solely for the purposes of providing matchmaking and related services. By voluntarily providing such information and affirmatively consenting during registration or profile completion, you expressly consent to CRC's collection, use, storage, and processing of that information for matchmaking purposes.
You may withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal and operational limitations. Withdrawal of consent may affect CRC's ability to provide certain services.
Information collected automatically. When you access or use the Platform, we may automatically collect:
- IP address.
- Device information.
- Browser type and operating system.
- Usage and activity data.
- Login records.
- Cookies and similar technologies.
- Website performance and analytics information.
Information obtained from other sources. We may receive information from:
- References you authorize.
- Publicly available sources.
- Social media accounts you choose to link.
- Service providers assisting CRC in operating the Platform.
- Other lawful third-party sources.
3. Accuracy of Information
Members are responsible for providing complete, accurate, and current information and for updating their information when changes occur.
CRC relies upon information provided by members and generally does not independently verify all profile information.
4. How We Use Personal Information
CRC uses personal information to:
- Create and manage member accounts.
- Facilitate matchmaking and compatibility assessments.
- Connect members with potential matches.
- Provide customer support and member services.
- Communicate regarding Platform updates, services, and events.
- Improve Platform functionality and user experience.
- Monitor compliance with CRC policies and terms.
- Detect, prevent, and investigate fraud, abuse, misconduct, or security incidents.
- Comply with legal obligations.
- Protect the safety, rights, and interests of members and CRC.
- Conduct analytics and service improvement activities.
We process personal information based on one or more legal grounds, including consent, performance of a contract, legitimate interests, and compliance with legal obligations, as applicable.
5. Disclosure of Personal Information
CRC does not sell member personal information. We may disclose personal information in the following circumstances.
To other members. Certain profile information may be shared with potential matches or other members in accordance with the Platform's functionality and your privacy settings.
Service providers and data processors. CRC may share personal information with trusted vendors and service providers who assist in operating the Platform, including:
- Hosting providers.
- Cloud storage providers.
- Analytics providers.
- Technical support providers.
- Customer service providers.
- SmartMatch Systems Inc.
SmartMatch acts solely as a data processor and processes personal information on CRC's behalf and under CRC's instructions.
Legal compliance. We may disclose information when required to:
- Comply with applicable law.
- Respond to lawful requests from governmental authorities.
- Protect legal rights or property.
- Investigate violations of our policies.
- Protect the safety of members or others.
Organizational transactions. If CRC undergoes a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or similar organizational change, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable legal protections.
6. International Membership and Cross-Border Data Transfers
CRC welcomes members from multiple countries and jurisdictions.
Personal information may be collected, stored, processed, or transferred to countries where CRC, SmartMatch, or service providers operate.
Where personal information is transferred internationally, CRC will implement appropriate safeguards required by applicable law, which may include:
- Contractual data protection commitments.
- Standard Contractual Clauses.
- Adequacy decisions recognized by applicable regulators.
- Other lawful transfer mechanisms.
Members located outside the United States acknowledge that their information may be processed in jurisdictions with privacy laws that differ from those in their home country.
7. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to:
- Access your personal information.
- Correct inaccurate information.
- Delete personal information.
- Restrict or object to processing.
- Withdraw consent.
- Request data portability.
- Receive information regarding processing activities.
- Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
- Exercise any additional rights provided by applicable law.
Residents of certain jurisdictions, including the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, Canada, and certain U.S. states, may be entitled to additional rights under local privacy laws.
CRC will respond to verified requests within the time periods required by applicable law. To exercise any privacy rights, please contact CRC using the contact information in Section 14.
8. Data Retention
CRC retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Provide services.
- Fulfill matchmaking functions.
- Comply with legal obligations.
- Resolve disputes.
- Enforce agreements.
- Protect legitimate organizational interests.
Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information and applicable legal requirements.
9. Security
CRC maintains administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Security measures may include:
- Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest where appropriate.
- Access controls and authentication procedures.
- Secure hosting environments.
- Monitoring and incident response procedures.
- Staff and contractor confidentiality obligations.
- Regular security reviews.
Despite reasonable safeguards, no system can be guaranteed completely secure.
10. Cookies and Analytics
CRC may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to:
- Maintain user sessions.
- Remember preferences.
- Improve website performance.
- Analyze usage patterns.
- Enhance member experience.
Members may manage cookie preferences through browser settings, although disabling cookies may affect certain Platform features.
11. Children's Privacy
The Platform is intended only for individuals who are legally eligible to use matchmaking services and are at least eighteen (18) years old, or the age of majority in their jurisdiction. CRC does not knowingly collect personal information from children.
12. Privacy Principles
CRC is committed to privacy principles that include:
- Accountability.
- Transparency.
- Purpose limitation.
- Data minimization.
- Accuracy.
- Security safeguards.
- Individual access.
- Consent.
- Responsible retention.
- Compliance with applicable privacy laws.
CRC endeavors to conduct its privacy practices in accordance with applicable laws, including, where relevant:
- United States privacy laws.
- Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
- The European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- The United Kingdom GDPR and Data Protection Act.
- Applicable state and provincial privacy laws.
- Other laws applicable to CRC's operations and membership.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
CRC may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Any changes will be posted on the Platform with an updated revision date. Continued use of the Platform after such updates constitutes acknowledgment of the revised Privacy Policy.
14. Contact Information
For questions regarding this Privacy Policy, privacy practices, or requests concerning personal information, please contact:
Center for Rahma Connections (CRC)
422 Larkfield Center, #539
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
salam@rahmaconnections.org
CRC is the organization responsible for the personal information collected through the Platform and serves as the primary point of contact for privacy-related inquiries.
15. Consent
By creating an account, completing a profile, or otherwise using the Platform, you acknowledge and consent to the collection, use, disclosure, storage, and processing of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy.
Where CRC requests sensitive personal information, including religious affiliation, religious practices, or other special-category information, your affirmative submission of such information and acceptance of this Privacy Policy constitutes your explicit consent to its processing for matchmaking and related purposes.
This policy is written to be read in plain terms and is not a substitute for formal legal counsel. The Center for Rahma Connections may update this notice from time to time; meaningful changes will be reflected here with a new effective date.