A clear disclosure
Selah uses Google Gemini for four AI features: camera matching, meaning-based search, optional personalization, and Deep Dive. It does not run an AI request merely because the app is open.
Nothing is sent before Selah separately asks whether it may share the listed data with Google Gemini. The request offers “Allow and continue” and “Not now.” It is separate from Apple’s Camera permission. If you choose Not now, the request stops and the non-AI parts of Selah remain available. One approval covers every AI feature listed on this page and is saved to your Selah account, so Selah does not ask again for each feature. It asks again only if you turn AI processing off or this disclosure changes. After you agree, Selah sends data only when you deliberately use an AI-powered feature.
What leaves your phone
When you take or choose a photo, Selah resizes that one image on your phone and sends it over an encrypted connection through Selah’s server to Google Gemini. Gemini returns a text description, emotional tone, and general scene category so Selah can match three verses.
Selah does not store the photo. It stores the text description, the verses suggested, the verse you chose, and technical request details.
Only the words you enter into Selah’s own search field are sent to Gemini’s embedding model. The model turns them into numbers representing meaning so Selah can compare the request with scripture.
A shared cache may keep that numeric representation under a one-way digest. It does not keep the query text or attach the cache entry to your account.
The answers you choose during onboarding, your Core Need, later check-in choices, and free-form check-in text you deliberately enter can be sent to the same embedding model. Selah stores the resulting numeric signal against your account, not the free-form check-in text. The signal helps the For You feed lean toward verses that fit what you shared.
When a Deep Dive needs to be written, Selah sends the selected King James Bible passage and its reference. It does not send your name, saved verses, notes, searches, camera history, or personalization profile with that request.
The analysis is stored against the passage and shared by everyone who opens it. It is commentary about the passage, not personal guidance about you.
What does not leave
What AI does not do
Every verse displayed by Selah comes from a real included translation. AI can help match a moment or search to a passage, and Deep Dive can write commentary about a passage, but AI never invents or rewrites the verse itself.
AI results can still be wrong or poorly matched, so they are suggestions rather than interpretation, doctrine, counselling, or emergency help.
How Google handles it
Selah uses Google Gemini through a Cloud project with active billing. Google’s paid-service terms state that prompts, files, and responses are not used to improve Google products and are processed under Google’s Data Processing Addendum. Google may still keep limited prompts and responses temporarily for abuse prevention, security, and legal obligations. Selah does not promise Zero Data Retention.
Your choice
In the app, open Settings → How Selah uses AI → Turn off AI processing. Selah withdraws the current grant and removes your user-linked camera and AI-personalization artifacts. Saved verses and Margins remain. The next AI feature asks again before sending anything to Google Gemini.
For retention, account deletion, service providers, and your privacy rights, read the full Privacy Policy. Questions can be sent to support at soulsurferz.co.
