Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 2026

Kevin Spears ("we," "our," or "us") operates the BibleMarker application and website. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use BibleMarker.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

BibleMarker operates primarily offline and stores data locally on your device. We may collect the following information:

  • ESV API Key: If you choose to use the ESV translation, you must provide your own API key obtained directly from Crossway. Kevin Spears does not provide API keys. Your ESV API key is stored locally on your device only and is never transmitted to our servers.
  • User Content: All annotations, highlights, notes, keywords, studies, and other content you create in the app are stored locally on your device using SQLite.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

  • Bible Text: The app reads Bible text from local SWORD module files stored on your device. No network requests are made for SWORD module content.
  • ESV Caching: If you use the ESV API, fetched chapters are not cached locally; each request goes directly from your device to Crossway's servers.
  • Usage Data: The app stores local usage preferences and settings on your device.

1.3 Third-Party Services

The app optionally integrates with one third-party Bible API service:

  • ESV API (Crossway): Provides the ESV (English Standard Version) translation. Requires your own API key obtained directly from Crossway. Subject to their terms and privacy policy, including noncommercial use requirements. Requests are made directly from your device to Crossway's servers using your own key.

We do not intercept, store, or have access to any API requests made from your device. You are responsible for complying with the terms of service of any API provider you use.

2. How We Use Your Information

Since the app primarily operates offline and stores data locally:

  • All your annotations, notes, and study data remain on your device
  • We do not collect, store, or transmit your personal Bible study content to our servers
  • API keys you provide are stored locally and only used to make direct API calls from your device to Bible translation services
  • We do not access or share your study data

3. Data Storage and Security

  • Local Storage: All user data (annotations, notes, keywords, studies, API keys) is stored locally on your device in a SQLite database.
  • iCloud Sync (optional): On macOS and iOS, you may enable iCloud sync. When enabled, the app writes journal files to your iCloud Drive to synchronize study data across your own devices. This data is stored in your personal iCloud account and is not accessible to Kevin Spears.
  • Security: While we implement reasonable security measures, no method of electronic storage is 100% secure. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your device.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your information to third parties because:

  • All data is stored locally on your device
  • We do not have access to your data
  • We do not operate servers that receive or store user data

However, if you use the ESV API, your requests are made directly from your device to Crossway's servers, and they may collect information according to their own privacy policy.

5. Your Rights and Choices

  • Access Your Data: All your data is stored on your device and accessible within the app.
  • Delete Your Data: You can delete all app data by uninstalling the app, which will remove all locally stored data. You can also clear specific annotations or studies within the app.
  • API Key Management: You can add, modify, or remove Bible API keys at any time through the app settings.

6. Children's Privacy

Our app is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

8. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have certain rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect and the right to request deletion of your personal information. However, since our app stores all data locally on your device and we do not collect or store personal information on our servers, most CCPA rights do not apply to the BibleMarker.

9. GDPR Rights (European Users)

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain data protection rights. Since our app does not collect or process personal data on our servers, your data protection rights are primarily exercised through your control over the data stored on your device.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

11. Bible Translation Copyright

Bible translations used in this app are subject to their respective copyrights and terms of use:

  • NASB 2020 (New American Standard Bible®): Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Used under license.
  • ESV (English Standard Version): © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV text may not be used for commercial purposes without permission.
  • Other translations: Subject to their respective copyright holders' terms and conditions.

This app complies with the terms of use for all Bible translations it includes, including ESV API requirements for noncommercial use and copyright attribution.