Your Privacy & Data
How Berea handles your audio, transcripts, and personal data.
3 min read
Privacy is taken seriously at Berea. Here's a plain-language explanation of what happens with your data.
Audio recordings
Your audio files are stored locally on your device. They're only uploaded to Deepgram's servers during transcription processing — and Deepgram does not retain audio after processing is complete. Once the transcript is generated, the audio lives only on your device and (optionally) in your encrypted iCloud backup.
Transcripts and study content
Transcripts and generated content (summaries, prayers, quizzes) are stored locally in the app's SwiftData database. If you sign in with Apple or Google, this data is synced to Berea's secure cloud storage via Supabase with encryption in transit and at rest. You can delete your cloud data at any time from Settings → Account.
OpenRouter
Transcripts are sent to OpenRouter for polishing, summary generation, and other smart features. Your data is not used to train any models. See OpenRouter's privacy policy for full details.
Faith Profile data
Your Faith Profile — denomination, faith journey, and Statement of Faith — is stored locally and synced encrypted. This information is only ever sent as context for personalization, and only when you actively use a feature. It is never sold or shared with third parties.
Local-only mode
You can use Berea entirely without creating an account. In local-only mode, all data stays on your device and is never uploaded anywhere. The trade-off is that data won't sync across your devices and won't be recoverable if you lose your phone.