Your privacy, safeguarded.

1) Scope & Who We Are

This policy covers data processed by PuzzleTide when you browse, search, play, print, or create puzzles. By using the services, you agree to this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use.

2) Information We Collect

3) How We Use Information

• Provide core features: play/print puzzles, save progress, generate clues, and render leaderboards or stats.
• Moderate user submissions (filter profanity, hate, or personal data) using automated checks, including third-party AI.
• Improve performance, debug issues, and protect against fraud or abuse.
• Analyze aggregated usage to prioritize categories, difficulty levels, and device optimizations.
• Communicate about service updates, security notices, or policy changes.
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

4) Legal Bases (EEA/UK)

Where GDPR/UK GDPR applies, we rely on: (a) performance of a contract (providing the service), (b) legitimate interests (security, anti-fraud, analytics with minimal impact), and (c) consent where required (certain cookies, marketing messages).

5) How We Share Information

• Service providers under contract (hosting, storage, email delivery, error monitoring, analytics).
• AI vendors solely to moderate or generate puzzle-related content.
• Legal and safety: to comply with law, respond to lawful requests, or protect rights, property, or safety.
• Business transfers: in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, data may transfer under equivalent safeguards.
• We do not sell personal information, and we do not share it for targeted advertising as defined by U.S. state privacy laws.

6) International Data Transfers

Data is processed in the United States and may transit through global CDNs. For EU/UK users, we rely on the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and Standard Contractual Clauses where applicable.

7) Data Retention

• Guest play-session data: kept for a limited period to let you resume play; related gameplay records are retained while needed for analytics and safety.
• Account data: kept until you request deletion or your account is inactive for an extended period.
• Puzzle submissions and logs: retained to operate the service, maintain integrity, and meet legal obligations; anonymized or deleted when no longer necessary.
• Aggregated analytics may be stored longer without identifying individuals.

8) Your Privacy Rights

You may have rights to access, correct, delete, or port your data, and to opt out of certain processing. We respond within the timelines required by applicable law.

To exercise any right, email privacy@puzzletide.com. We may verify identity before fulfilling requests. You may also lodge complaints with your local data protection authority.

9) Cookies & Controls

You can clear or block cookies in your browser. Some features (like saving puzzle progress or staying signed in) require first-party session cookies to work.

10) Children

PuzzleTide is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided personal data, contact us so we can delete it.

11) Security

We use security measures such as encryption in transit, access controls, and monitoring to safeguard data. No system is perfect; please use a strong, unique password and keep it confidential.

12) Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect technical, legal, or business changes. Material changes will be noted on this page with a new “Last updated” date and, where required, additional notice.