Terms of Service
Last updated: May 2026
1. Agreement to Terms
By downloading, accessing, or using the Ascend Bible study application ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you disagree with any part of these terms, then you may not access the Service.
2. Service Description
Ascend provides gamified Bible study features including personalized lessons, interactive quizzes, AI-powered guidance through our Phoenix assistant, progress streaks, and achievement tracking. Our platform is designed to make scripture study engaging and accessible.
3. Subscription Plans
Ascend offers a variety of subscription and one-time purchase options, which may include individual monthly, annual, and lifetime plans, free or paid introductory trials, and gift or group plans such as Family, Group, and Church tiers purchased by one user on behalf of others. Plan availability, pricing, billing intervals, trial lengths, included features, and promotional offers may vary by region, platform, and time, and may change as we test and improve the Service. Current pricing and plan details are always displayed at the point of purchase within the app or on our website before you complete a transaction.
Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing period unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the renewal date. You can manage or cancel your subscription through your app store account settings or, for web purchases, by contacting support. Gift and group plans grant access for the period purchased and do not auto-renew unless explicitly stated at checkout.
4. Payment, Billing & Refunds
Payments are processed through your device's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), via Stripe for web purchases, or via other payment processors we may use from time to time. Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing period unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the renewal date.
Refund Policy: For Apple and Google Play purchases, all refund requests must be submitted through Apple or Google Play according to their respective refund policies. For web purchases, Ascend offers refunds to users experiencing financial difficulty. No proof is required, simply explain your situation by emailing support@ascendbible.com and our team will process your request.
5. User Accounts
You are responsible for safeguarding your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You must provide accurate and complete information when creating your account and keep this information updated.
6. Acceptable Use
You may not use our Service for any illegal purposes or to violate any laws. Prohibited activities include but are not limited to: harassment of other users, sharing inappropriate content, attempting to breach our security systems, or using the Service in ways that could damage or impair functionality.
Group Chat Conduct
When using group chat features users agree not to:
- Share sensitive personal information including passwords, financial information, or government identification documents.
- Send spam, unsolicited advertising, scams, or repetitive messages.
- Share illegal, explicit, exploitative, harmful, pornographic, violent, or hateful content.
- Harass, bully, threaten, intimidate, or abuse other users.
- Impersonate another person or misrepresent identity or affiliation.
Please be mindful of the content shared in groups you join. Our small team cannot review everything, so use your discretion. Ascend reserves the right to remove content, automatically hide reported messages, temporarily restrict messaging privileges, suspend accounts, or terminate accounts that violate these guidelines. Messages receiving multiple reports from group members may be automatically moderated.
6.1 External Links
Group chats and user-generated content may contain links to third-party websites not operated or controlled by Ascend. Ascend is not responsible for the availability, content, privacy practices, or security of any third-party websites or services. Accessing third-party links is done at the user's own risk. Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies and terms of any external services they visit.
6.2 Consent to Data Use
By using Ascend, you expressly consent to the collection, processing, storage, analysis, retention, and use of all data you input, generate, or that is derived from your use of the Service, including but not limited to messages, profile information, study progress, gamification data, onboarding responses, device identifiers, analytics data, and aggregated behavioural insights. Any recommendations, rankings, or personalisation generated by Ascend are based on your voluntary use of the Service. This consent remains effective while your account exists and for a reasonable period thereafter for legitimate business purposes unless withdrawn through account deletion.
7. Intellectual Property
The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by Ascend and are protected by international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Bible text is used under appropriate licensing agreements.
8. Privacy Reference
Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which also governs your use of the Service.
Data Security
While Ascend implements commercially reasonable safeguards to protect user data, no electronic storage or transmission system can be guaranteed completely secure. Ascend shall not be liable for unauthorised access to, alteration of, disclosure of, or destruction of data resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control including security breaches, hacking, malware, infrastructure failures, or software vulnerabilities. In the event of a data breach, the user's sole remedy is discontinuation of use of the Service and deletion of their account.
9. Disclaimers
The Service is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We make no warranties, expressed or implied, and hereby disclaim all other warranties including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
User-Generated Content: Ascend does not pre-screen, actively monitor, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of messages, images, links, or other content shared by users within group chats or community features. Users acknowledge that group chats are not private or secure communication channels and should not be used to share confidential or sensitive information. By participating in community features, users accept responsibility for any content they share and acknowledge that other users may copy, distribute, or share such content outside the platform.
10. Termination
We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach the Terms.
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Ascend, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, contractors, licensors, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, expenses, or legal fees arising from: (a) your use of the Service; (b) your User Content; (c) your violation of these Terms; or (d) your violation of any law or third-party rights.
12. Terms Changes
We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will try to provide at least 30 days notice prior to any new terms taking effect.
13. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States. Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising from these Terms or use of the Service shall be resolved through binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Users waive any right to participate in class actions or class-wide arbitration. Either party may seek injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction where necessary.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at support@ascendbible.com.