Privacy Policy for Letter Ladder

MapSorix ("we", "us", or "our") operates the Letter Ladder mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, protect, and share information when you use our App.

By using Letter Ladder, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

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1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information Stored Locally on Your Device

We store the following information locally on your device using Android SharedPreferences. This data is NOT transmitted to our servers:

Game Data:

• Puzzle completion status
• Stars earned per puzzle
• Time spent on puzzles
• Hints used
• Current puzzle progress
• Achievement unlock status
• Daily login streak

User Preferences:

• Sound settings (on/off)
• Haptic feedback settings (on/off)
• Dark mode preference (on/off)
• Reduced motion preference (on/off)
• Font size preference (small/medium/large)
• Tutorial completion status

Monetization Data:

• Daily hint count (resets at midnight)
• Purchased hint count
• Premium feature unlocks (unlimited hints, ad removal)
• In-app purchase status

1.2 Information Collected by Third-Party Services

We use third-party services that may collect information about you:

Google AdMob (Advertising):

• Advertising ID (unique device identifier for ads)
• Device information (model, OS version, screen size)
• IP address (approximate location)
• Ad interaction data (views, clicks)
• App usage data (how you interact with ads)

Google Play Billing (In-App Purchases):

• Purchase transaction data (what you bought, when, price)
• Google account information (for purchase verification)
• Device information (for purchase validation)

Google Play Services:

• Crash and diagnostic data (app crashes, performance)
• Device information (for compatibility)

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2. How We Use Your Information

Local Storage

The following data is stored locally on your device using SharedPreferences:

• Game progress and completed puzzles
• Settings preferences (sound, haptic, dark mode, etc.)
• Statistics (time played, hints used, best scores)
• Achievement progress
• Daily login streak
• Hint counts and purchases

This data is NOT transmitted to our servers and remains on your device.

2.1 Locally Stored Data

Your local game data is used to:

• Save and restore your game progress
• Track achievements and statistics
• Maintain your daily login streak
• Manage hint availability
• Remember your settings and preferences
• Provide personalized experience

2.2 Advertising

We use Google AdMob to display advertisements. AdMob uses your data to:

• Show relevant ads based on your interests
• Measure ad performance (views, clicks)
• Prevent fraud and invalid activity
• Provide rewarded ads for in-game rewards

Ad Personalization:

• By default, we show personalized ads when you allow tracking and provide consent
• Personalized ads are more relevant to your interests
• You can opt-out at any time (see instructions below)

2.3 Analytics and Improvement

Anonymous usage data helps us:

• Fix bugs and crashes
• Improve game performance
• Optimize user interface
• Add requested features
• Balance puzzle difficulty

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3. Third-Party Services

3.1 Google AdMob (Advertising Network)

What they collect:

• Advertising ID (resettable unique identifier)
• Device information (make, model, OS version)
• IP address (for approximate location)
• Ad interaction data (what ads you see and click)
• App activity (when you use the app)

Purpose:

• Display personalized advertisements
• Measure ad effectiveness
• Prevent fraud

Their Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Opt-Out: https://adssettings.google.com/

3.2 Google Play Billing (In-App Purchases)

What they collect:

• Purchase transaction details
• Payment information (handled by Google, not us)
• Google account information
• Purchase history

Purpose:

• Process payments securely
• Verify purchase legitimacy
• Enable purchase restoration

Their Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

3.3 Google Play Services

What they collect:

• Crash reports
• Performance data
• Device compatibility information

Purpose:

• Improve app stability
• Fix bugs
• Optimize performance

Their Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

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4. Information Sharing

We DO NOT:

• ❌ Sell your personal information to third parties
• ❌ Share your game data with other companies
• ❌ Transmit your progress to external servers
• ❌ Share your achievements or statistics
• ❌ Access your contacts or photos

We DO share information with:

• ✅ Google AdMob - For displaying ads (they collect data directly)
• ✅ Google Play - For processing purchases (they handle payment)
• ✅ Google Play Services - For crash reporting

Note: When you use the "Share" feature, you control what is shared and where.

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5. Data Security

We take data security seriously:

Local Data Protection:

• All game data is stored locally on your device
• Protected by your device's security features
• Not accessible by other apps (Android sandboxing)
• Encrypted by Android system

Third-Party Security:

• AdMob and Google Play use industry-standard encryption
• Purchase data transmitted over secure connections (HTTPS)
• We do not store payment information

Our Practices:

• We do not transmit your game data to external servers
• No user accounts or passwords required
• Minimal data collection approach

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6. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Age Rating: Letter Ladder is rated for Everyone (all ages).

Children Under 13:

• We do NOT knowingly collect personal information from children under 13
• The app does NOT require personal information to play
• Parental consent is NOT required (no personal data collected)
• All game data is stored locally, not transmitted

Third-Party Services:

• Google AdMob complies with COPPA for children-directed apps
• We do NOT use behavioral advertising for children
• Ads are contextual, not personalized for children

Parental Controls:

• Parents can disable ads via in-app purchase ($1.99)
• Parents can monitor gameplay (local data)
• No social features or chat

If you are a parent and believe your child provided information, contact us immediately.

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7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 Access Your Data

• In-App: View all your data in Statistics screen
• Local Storage: Access via device file manager (requires root)

7.2 Delete Your Data

• Uninstall the app - Removes all local data permanently
• Clear app data - Android Settings → Apps → Letter Ladder → Clear Data
• Reset achievements - Uninstall and reinstall

7.3 Control Advertising

• Change ad consent preferences:
  • In-App: Settings → Ad Consent Preferences (for users in GDPR/CCPA regions)
  • This allows you to update your consent choice for personalized vs. non-personalized ads
  • If the consent form is not available in your region, you'll see a message explaining why
• Opt-out of personalized ads:
  • Android: Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization
  • iOS: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → Disable tracking for Letter Ladder
• Reset Advertising ID:
  • Android: Settings → Google → Ads → Reset advertising ID
  • iOS: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → Reset Advertising Identifier
• Remove all ads: Purchase "Remove Ads" in-app ($1.99)
• Limit ad tracking: Device settings (varies by platform)

7.4 Control Data Collection

• Disable crash reporting: Not currently available (minimal data)
• Offline play: Game works offline (except ads)
• Manage permissions: Android Settings → Apps → Letter Ladder

7.5 California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information is collected
• Request deletion of your information
• Opt-out of sale of personal information (we don't sell data)
• Non-discrimination for exercising your rights

Consent Management:

• California residents may see a consent form when first opening the app
• You can choose whether to accept personalized ads or receive non-personalized ads
• Your consent choice can be changed at any time in Settings → Ad Consent Preferences
• We use Google's User Messaging Platform (UMP) to manage consent in compliance with CCPA

7.6 European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Rectify inaccurate data
• Erase your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restrict processing
• Data portability
• Object to processing
• Withdraw consent

Consent Management:

• When you first open the app in the EEA/UK, you will see a consent form asking for your permission to show personalized ads
• You can choose to accept or decline personalized advertising
• Your choice is saved and respected for all ad requests
• You can change your consent preference at any time in Settings → Ad Consent Preferences
• If you withdraw consent, you will receive non-personalized ads instead
• We use Google's User Messaging Platform (UMP) to manage consent in compliance with GDPR

To exercise your rights, contact us at support@mapsorix.com

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8. Data Retention

How Long We Keep Data:

• Local game data: Until you uninstall the app
• Purchase records: Retained by Google Play (per their policy)
• Ad data: Retained by Google AdMob (per their policy)
• Crash reports: Retained by Google Play Services (30-90 days)

We do NOT store your data on our servers, so there's nothing for us to delete.

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9. International Data Transfers

• Third-party services (Google) may transfer data internationally
• Google complies with Privacy Shield and GDPR requirements
• Data may be processed in the United States or other countries
• Appropriate safeguards are in place per Google's policies

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10. Permissions Required

Android Permissions Used:

INTERNET - Required for:

• Downloading and displaying ads
• Processing in-app purchases
• Downloading game updates

BILLING - Required for:

• Processing in-app purchases through Google Play

ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE - Required for:

• Checking internet connectivity before loading ads

iOS Permissions Used:

App Tracking Transparency (ATT) - Optional:

• Requested on iOS 14.5 and later
• Allows personalized advertising based on your interests
• You can deny this permission and still use the app
• If denied, you will see non-personalized ads instead

No other permissions are required or requested.

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11. Cookies and Tracking

We do NOT use:

• Cookies
• Web beacons
• Tracking pixels

Third-party services (AdMob) may use:

• Device identifiers for ad targeting
• Check their privacy policies for details

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12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect:

• Changes in our practices
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• New features or services

When we update:

• New "Last Updated" date will be shown
• Material changes will be notified in-app
• Continued use constitutes acceptance
• Review this policy periodically

Version History:

• v1.2 - November 24, 2025 - Added GDPR/CCPA consent management (UMP) information and in-app consent preferences
• v1.1 - November 24, 2025 - Added iOS App Tracking Transparency (ATT) information
• v1.0 - October 19, 2025 - Initial version

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14. Compliance

This Privacy Policy complies with:

• ✅ Google Play Developer Policy
• ✅ App Store Review Guidelines
• ✅ Android Developer Guidelines
• ✅ iOS App Tracking Transparency (ATT) Requirements
• ✅ COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act)
• ✅ GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
• ✅ CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
• ✅ Google AdMob Policies

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