Privacy Policy

Who we are

Emu WTF is an independent games studio. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. It applies to the Emu WTF website (emu.wtf) and to our games wherever they are distributed, including the Apple App Store (iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and macOS), Google Play (Android and Android TV), the Microsoft Store (Windows), and Steam.

We are deliberately privacy-respecting: we do not try to collect personal information, and we collect as little as possible. We do not sell your data, and we do not build advertising or marketing profiles about you.

It covers all of our games, including the titles broken down below. Where a game collects or uses data differently, that game's store listing and in-app disclosures describe its practices, and those disclosures are consistent with this policy.

Information we collect

We do not collect personally identifying information about players, and we do not ask for it. The limited data we handle is described here:

• In our games — no personal data: Our games do not require an account with us and do not collect information that identifies you. You can play without signing in or telling us who you are.
• Optional leaderboard alias: Some games include an online leaderboard. If you choose to post a score, you may type a display alias. We store only that alias and the score — nothing else, and nothing that identifies you.
• In-app purchases: All of our games offer in-app purchases. Payments are handled entirely by the platform store (Apple, Google, Microsoft, or Valve). We receive confirmation that a purchase happened — never your payment card details.
• Advertising (some games): A few games are ad-supported and use third-party ad services that handle limited ad-related data. See the Advertising section below for which games and what that involves.
• On our website: If you use the contact form we receive the name, email, and message you submit; if you join the newsletter or a waitlist we receive your email address. These are provided only when you choose to send them.
• Technical and diagnostic data: We may process pseudonymous technical data (device model, operating system, app version) and crash reports to keep things working. Our website analytics strip direct identifiers (email, name, IP) before any event is recorded.

What each game collects

Here is the per-game summary. Games not listed as showing ads do not show ads and do not use ad tracking.

• Shapes: Optional leaderboard alias — only the alias and score are stored; In-app purchases handled by the platform store
• Solitaire Compendium: Shows ads via Google AdMob and Amazon; Uses limited ad identifiers only to show and measure ads (resettable in your device settings); Optional leaderboard alias — only the alias and score are stored; In-app purchases handled by the platform store
• Starfall Sentinels: Optional leaderboard alias — only the alias and score are stored; In-app purchases handled by the platform store
• Sudoku Zen: Shows ads via Google AdMob and Amazon; Uses limited ad identifiers only to show and measure ads (resettable in your device settings); Optional leaderboard alias — only the alias and score are stored; In-app purchases handled by the platform store

Advertising

Some of our games are ad-supported — currently Sudoku Zen and Solitaire Compendium. These games show ads through Google AdMob and Amazon. Our other games show no ads at all.

To show and measure ads, these ad services may process device and advertising identifiers and limited usage data. This is minimal and used for advertising only; we do not use it to identify you. You can reset or limit ad personalization in your device settings, and on Apple devices you will be asked for tracking permission (App Tracking Transparency) before any tracking occurs.

How we use information

• Provide and operate our games and website, including saving a leaderboard score under the alias you chose.
• Deliver and measure ads in the ad-supported games named above.
• Process in-app purchases through the platform store.
• Respond to messages you send us and deliver newsletter or waitlist updates you asked for.
• Diagnose crashes, maintain security, prevent fraud and cheating, and keep the games stable.
• Comply with legal obligations.

Legal bases (EEA and UK)

If you are in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, we rely on: performance of a contract (to provide the game or service you requested); your consent (for example, newsletter emails and personalized advertising where consent is required); our legitimate interests (to secure, maintain, and improve our games); and compliance with legal obligations. You may withdraw consent at any time.

How we share information

We do not sell or rent your data. We share data only with the service providers below, with platform stores, and where required by law or to protect rights and safety. We require any third party with whom we share data to provide the same or equal protection of that data as stated in this policy.

• Vercel: Website and app hosting, privacy-preserving site analytics, and performance monitoring.
• Brevo: Newsletter and contact-form email delivery — used only if you contact us or subscribe.
• Google AdMob and Amazon: Ad delivery and measurement, in the ad-supported games named above only.
• Platform stores (Apple, Google, Microsoft, Valve/Steam): App distribution and in-app purchase processing, each under its own privacy policy.

Data retention

We keep data only as long as needed. A leaderboard alias and score are kept while they are shown on the leaderboard or until you ask us to remove them. Contact messages are kept long enough to respond and keep reasonable records; newsletter data is kept until you unsubscribe; technical and crash data is short-lived and pseudonymous. When data is no longer needed, or on a valid request, we delete or anonymize it.

Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, port, restrict, or object to the processing of your data, and to withdraw consent. If you are in California, you have the rights to know, delete, and correct your personal information and to opt out of its sale or sharing — and we do not sell your personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We will not discriminate against you for exercising these rights.

Because we hold so little, most requests are simple — for example, asking us to remove a leaderboard alias. To exercise any right, email us at the address in the Contact section; we may need to verify your request.

How to delete your data

You can ask us to delete anything we hold at any time by emailing us. To remove a leaderboard alias and score, tell us the game and the alias. We action verified requests within a reasonable time and as required by applicable law.

Children's privacy

Our games and website are intended for a general audience and are not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age of digital consent in your region, such as 16 in parts of the EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under that age. Our ad-supported games are likewise not directed to children. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact us and we will delete it.

If we release a game specifically directed to children in the future, it will be clearly identified and governed by additional protections and a supplementary children's notice, consistent with the U.S. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the Google Play Families policy, and the Apple Kids Category requirements — including child-appropriate (non-personalized) advertising and verifiable parental consent where required.

Platform-specific notes

Each platform store maintains its own privacy practices for your store account, downloads, and payments. Please also review the privacy policies of Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Valve (Steam), and of our ad partners Google and Amazon.

Each app's specific data practices are summarized in that app's store privacy disclosures — Apple's App Privacy details and Google Play's Data safety section — which we keep consistent with this policy.

International data transfers

We and our service providers may process data in the United States and other countries whose data-protection laws may differ from yours. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses) to protect data transferred internationally.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the limited data we handle, and our website analytics are designed to strip direct identifiers before events are recorded. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the effective date above, and for material changes we will provide a more prominent notice. Your continued use of our games or website after an update means you accept the revised policy.

Contact us

If you have questions about this policy or your data, or to exercise any of your rights, contact Emu WTF using the email address below. We read every message.

hi@emu.wtf