Privacy & Terms
We believe in full transparency. Here's exactly how GodPal.ch works, what data we collect, and what you're agreeing to when you use our parenting platform.
1 Overview
GodPal.ch ("we", "us", "our") is a parenting guidance and education platform operated from Switzerland. This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we protect it, and your rights regarding it.
We are committed to full compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP), and the Swiss Telecommunications Act.
2 Data We Collect
2.1 Account Data (via Google OAuth)
When you sign in with Google, we receive and store:
| Data point | Purpose | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Email address | Account identity, newsletter and digest delivery | Contract performance |
| Full name | Personalised greetings | Contract performance |
| Profile picture URL | Dashboard display | Legitimate interest |
| Last login timestamp | Session security, re-engagement | Legitimate interest |
We do not receive or store your Google password.
2.2 Parenting Profile Questionnaire
When you complete our optional questionnaire, we store your answers to personalise the content and recommendations shown to you. These answers may cover topics such as your child's age range, parenting challenges, areas of interest, and your family situation. This data is pseudonymised and tied to your account only.
2.3 Reading & Engagement Behaviour
We automatically track:
- Articles read, scroll depth, and estimated reading completion percentage
- Time spent on each article
- Bookmarks and saved articles
- Share events (platform only — we don't receive data from third-party social networks)
- Pages visited and referrer URLs
This behavioural data is used exclusively to personalise your content recommendations and curate your reading digest.
2.4 Digest & Email Engagement
When we send your newsletter or digest, we record when it was generated and whether it was opened, to measure relevance and improve future selections.
2.5 Feedback Submissions
If you submit feedback via the in-app modal or contact form, we store the message, category, and optionally your email if provided.
2.6 Technical Data
Standard server logs record IP addresses, browser type, and request timestamps. Logs are retained for 30 days for security purposes and are not linked to your account profile.
3 How We Use Your Data
| Purpose | Data used | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Account creation and authentication | Email, name, profile image | Contract performance |
| Personalising content recommendations | Questionnaire answers, reading history | Contract performance |
| Generating personalised newsletters and digests | Profile, reading history, topic preferences | Contract performance / Legitimate interest |
| Sending transactional emails | Email address | Contract performance |
| Improving content and platform features | Aggregated behavioural analytics | Legitimate interest |
| Security and fraud prevention | IP address, session data | Legitimate interest |
| Legal compliance | As required | Legal obligation |
We do not use your data for automated individual decision-making with legal or similarly significant effects.
4 Data Sharing
We never sell your personal data to third parties. We share data only in the following limited circumstances:
4.1 Service Providers (Data Processors)
We use trusted third-party services to operate the platform. Each is bound by a Data Processing Agreement:
| Provider | Purpose | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Google (OAuth) | Authentication | USA (SCCs) |
| Email provider (SMTP) | Newsletter and transactional email delivery | EU/Switzerland |
| VPS / hosting provider | Platform infrastructure | Switzerland / EU |
4.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose personal data if required by a valid court order, law enforcement request, or applicable Swiss or EU law. We will notify you of such a request to the extent permitted by law.
4.3 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your data may be transferred. We will provide notice before your data is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
5 Cookies & Tracking
We use only the cookies necessary to operate the platform. We do not use advertising, tracking, or third-party analytics cookies.
| Cookie | Type | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
sessionid | Essential | Maintains your login session | 2 weeks |
csrftoken | Essential | Prevents cross-site request forgery | 1 year |
No third-party advertising cookies are used. No data is shared with advertising networks. We do not fingerprint your browser.
6 Data Retention & Deletion
6.1 Active Accounts
We retain your data for as long as your account is active. Reading history and profile data accumulate to provide an improving personalisation experience over time.
6.2 Account Deletion
You may request deletion of your account at any time by contacting info [at] godpal [dot] ch. Upon deletion, we will permanently remove:
- Your account profile (name, email, profile image)
- Your parenting profile questionnaire answers
- Your reading history and engagement data
- Your digest and newsletter history
- Any feedback you submitted with your account linked
Deletion is completed within 30 days. Anonymised, aggregated statistical data (e.g. total article view counts) may be retained.
6.3 Server Logs
Server logs are automatically purged after 30 days.
7 Your Rights (GDPR & nFADP)
As a user based in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you have the following rights:
- Right of access — request a copy of all personal data we hold about you
- Right to rectification — correct inaccurate or incomplete data
- Right to erasure — request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
- Right to restriction — request we limit processing of your data
- Right to data portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Right to object — object to processing based on legitimate interest
- Right to withdraw consent — where processing is consent-based, withdraw at any time
To exercise any right, contact us at info [at] godpal [dot] ch. We will respond within 30 days. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with:
- Switzerland: Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) — edoeb.admin.ch
- EU/EEA: Your local supervisory authority
8 Security
We implement the following technical and organisational measures to protect your data:
- HTTPS (TLS 1.2+) enforced on all connections
- HttpOnly, Secure session cookies with CSRF protection
- Passwords are never stored — authentication is via Google OAuth only
- Database access restricted to ORM-layer only; no raw SQL from external inputs
- Server-side rate limiting on all sensitive endpoints
- Content Security Policy (CSP) headers
- Regular dependency updates and security patches
Despite our best efforts, no internet transmission is 100% secure. In the event of a data breach affecting your rights, we will notify you and the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours as required by GDPR.
9 Children
GodPal.ch is a platform intended for parents and caregivers aged 16 and over. Our content is written for adults raising children — it is not directed at minors. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If you believe a child has created an account, please contact us immediately at info [at] godpal [dot] ch and we will delete the account promptly.
10 Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you by email and update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the platform after notification constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
For non-material changes (e.g. clarifications), we will update the date without email notification.
11 Contact & Data Controller
For privacy enquiries, data requests, or to exercise your rights:
GodPal.ch — Privacy Team
🌐 Website: godpal.ch
📧 Contact: info [at] godpal [dot] ch
📍 Jurisdiction: Zurich, Switzerland
We aim to respond to all privacy requests within 5 business days and to complete them within 30 days.
1 Introduction
These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of GodPal.ch (the "Platform", "Service", "we", "us"). By accessing or using the Platform, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.
If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform.
2 Accounts & Access
2.1 Eligibility
You must be at least 16 years old to create an account and use the Platform. By registering, you represent that you meet this requirement.
2.2 Google OAuth Authentication
Account creation and login are handled exclusively via Google OAuth 2.0. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your Google account. We are not responsible for any loss arising from unauthorised access to your Google account.
2.3 Account Responsibility
You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to notify us immediately at info [at] godpal [dot] ch if you suspect any unauthorised use.
2.4 One Account Per Person
Each person may maintain only one account. Creating multiple accounts to circumvent platform limits or abuse any feature of the Service is prohibited.
3 Platform Features & Content
3.1 Personalised Recommendations
GodPal.ch uses your reading history and optional profile questionnaire answers to recommend articles and resources relevant to your parenting journey. These recommendations are designed as a convenience tool — they do not represent endorsements, clinical assessments, or professional opinions tailored to your specific circumstances.
3.2 Newsletter & Digest
Registered users may subscribe to receive a personalised digest of articles. Digest content is algorithmically selected based on your profile and reading history. Article selections do not constitute professional recommendations.
3.3 Service Availability
We aim for high availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We may perform maintenance, updates, or temporary suspensions without prior notice. We are not liable for any loss resulting from service downtime.
3.4 Platform Changes
We reserve the right to modify, add, or remove features at any time. Material changes that affect your core user experience will be communicated via email or in-platform notification.
4 Editorial Content
4.1 Purpose
All articles, guides, and resources published on GodPal.ch are for educational and informational purposes only. Content is produced to support parents and caregivers — not to replace professional medical, developmental, or psychological assessment.
4.2 Accuracy
We make reasonable efforts to ensure our content is accurate, evidence-informed, and up to date. However, research in child development and parenting evolves continuously. You should independently verify important information and consult qualified professionals before making decisions that affect your child's health or wellbeing.
4.3 Health & Development Content
Content covering child health, developmental milestones, nutrition, sleep, behaviour, or mental wellbeing is provided for general awareness only and is subject to the following caveats:
- Every child develops at their own pace. Developmental ranges described in articles are averages, not clinical benchmarks.
- Health information is general in nature and does not account for your child's individual medical history or circumstances.
- If you have concerns about your child's health or development, always consult a qualified paediatrician or healthcare professional.
4.4 Age-Specific Content
Where content references specific age groups or developmental stages, it reflects general guidance at the time of writing. Recommendations from health authorities (e.g. WHO, Swiss Federal Office of Public Health) may change. Always verify current guidance with the relevant authority or your child's doctor.
4.5 User Engagement
The Platform allows users to bookmark and share articles. Bookmarks and shares represent personal reader interest and do not constitute editorial endorsement or professional recommendations.
5 Acceptable Use Policy
You agree not to use the Platform to:
- Violate any applicable Swiss, EU, or international law or regulation
- Use automated tools, bots, or scrapers without our prior written consent
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform or its infrastructure
- Interfere with or disrupt the performance or security of the Platform
- Reverse-engineer, decompile, or extract source code from the Platform
- Impersonate any person or entity
- Publish, share, or distribute harmful, abusive, or misleading content using Platform features
- Use the Platform for any commercial purpose not expressly authorised by us
- Post or transmit content that is harmful to children or that violates child safety standards
Violations may result in immediate account suspension or termination and, where applicable, referral to the relevant Swiss authorities.
6 Intellectual Property
6.1 Our Content
All Platform content, including articles, design, code, branding, and recommendation logic, is the exclusive property of GodPal.ch and its licensors. Our trademarks and trade dress may not be used without prior written consent.
6.2 User Licence
We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the Platform for personal, non-commercial educational purposes only.
6.3 Content Sharing
You may share links to articles for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may not republish, reproduce, or distribute article content as your own or in a commercial context without prior written permission from us.
6.4 Feedback
Any feedback or suggestions you submit grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable licence to use that feedback to improve the Platform without compensation to you.
7 Disclaimers & Warranties
The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
We do not warrant that:
- The Platform will be error-free or uninterrupted
- Content recommendations are appropriate for your specific child or family situation
- Article content is current, complete, or suitable for your specific circumstances
- Following any guidance discussed on the Platform will produce specific outcomes for your child
8 Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, GodPal.ch and its owners, operators, and contributors shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including:
- Outcomes arising from acting on educational content published on the Platform
- Loss of data or reading history
- Loss of access to the Platform
- Any harm resulting from reliance on content in place of professional advice
Our total aggregate liability for any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform shall not exceed CHF 100 or the total amount you paid us in the preceding 12 months, whichever is greater.
9 Termination
9.1 By Us
We may suspend or terminate your account immediately and without notice if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms or any applicable law. Upon termination, your right to access the Platform ceases immediately.
9.2 By You
You may close your account at any time by contacting us at info [at] godpal [dot] ch. Your data will be deleted in accordance with Section 6 of our Privacy Policy.
9.3 Survival
Sections relating to intellectual property, disclaimers, limitation of liability, and governing law will survive termination of your account or these Terms.
10 Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
10.1 Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Switzerland, specifically the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO), without regard to conflict-of-law provisions. The UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply.
10.2 Jurisdiction
Any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Zurich, Switzerland, unless mandatory consumer protection laws in your country of residence grant you the right to bring proceedings in your local courts.
10.3 EU/EEA Consumers
If you are a consumer resident in the EU or EEA, you may use the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform to resolve disputes out of court.
10.4 Informal Resolution
Before initiating formal legal proceedings, we strongly encourage you to contact us first. We commit to responding in good faith within 15 business days of your written notice and to making reasonable efforts to resolve disputes informally.
11 Contact Us
For questions about these Terms, to report a violation, or for any legal enquiry:
GodPal.ch — Legal
🌐 Website: GodPal.ch
📧 Contact: info [at] godpal [dot] ch
📍 Jurisdiction: Zurich, Switzerland 🇨🇭
Disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Zurich, Switzerland.