Privacy policy

1. Progress and preferences

The game saves puzzle progress, postcards, points, scores, streaks, and settings locally. Browser play uses website storage and an offline cache; the native app uses local app storage. There is no Word Porch account, publisher-operated cloud save, or online leaderboard, and the game does not upload these records to a publisher-operated game server.

On iPhone and iPad, the points wallet and purchase/reward delivery identifiers are stored in the device Keychain to prevent duplicate credits and recover interrupted delivery. This wallet is device-only and can remain after app removal. Progress backups exclude points, scores, and purchase ownership.

The current game does not request precise location, contacts, camera, microphone, or access to your photo library. Import and share actions use files or system options you choose.

2. Advertising in the native app

The iPhone and iPad game integrates Google AdMob banners, full-screen ads at game breaks, and optional rewarded videos. Owning a destination pack removes banners and automatic ads; rewarded videos remain optional. Test builds may show Google test ads. The Word Porch marketing pages and sample puzzle do not load AdMob; the browser game uses labeled ad previews.

The current native implementation requests non-personalized ads, disables publisher first-party IDs, and does not request App Tracking Transparency permission or access to the advertising identifier (IDFA). Non-personalized ads still involve data processing. Google’s SDK may process IP addresses and approximate location, app- or device-bounded identifiers, ad views and interactions, crash reports, and performance information for advertising, measurement, security, and fraud prevention. We do not send your puzzle progress, postcards, or greetings to the ad SDK.

Production ad requests are gated by Google’s User Messaging Platform consent status. Required messages and available privacy choices depend on your region and Google’s configuration. In the game, open the Word Porch menu → More settings → Privacy choices when shown. Ad availability also depends on connectivity and inventory.

See Google’s privacy policy and Google’s SDK data disclosures.

3. Apple purchases

Apple StoreKit handles payments. Word Porch receives verified product, transaction, and ownership information to unlock destination packs, deliver points, and process refunds or revocations. We do not receive your payment-card details. Apple may process purchase and account data under its privacy policy. This website does not accept payments.

4. Sharing and exported files

Sharing is optional. The game creates postcards and score cards locally. A shared card or link may include artwork, a puzzle code, destination, score or streak, and an optional greeting you enter. A progress backup contains the progress and settings you choose to export.

When you save or send a file, the chosen device, storage provider, or messaging app receives it under its own privacy practices. We do not automatically post, message friends, or upload contacts. Share only information you intend recipients to see.

5. Website visits and support email

These Word Porch pages have no added analytics scripts, advertising pixels, or third-party fonts. The sample keeps answers in memory until the page reloads; only your optional larger-text preference is saved in localStorage.

GitHub Pages and its delivery infrastructure receive ordinary request data, such as IP addresses, requested pages, and browser headers, to serve and secure the site. See GitHub’s privacy statement. External links have their own privacy practices.

If you email us, we and our email provider receive your address, message, and any attachments. We use them to answer requests, troubleshoot, and maintain necessary support records. Do not send passwords, payment-card details, or unrelated sensitive information.

6. Retention, deletion, and controls

Local records remain until removed through browser or device controls. Clearing site data can erase browser progress and cached files. Removing the app can erase app progress, but Keychain wallet records may persist. We have no cloud account from which to recover or remotely erase your device’s records. Contact us for help with a deletion request; we cannot promise that uninstalling clears the Keychain. Operating-system backups and files you exported may retain separate copies.

We retain support correspondence only as reasonably needed to handle the request, maintain necessary business records, resolve disputes, or meet legal obligations. Hosting, store, email, and advertising providers apply their own retention policies. We use reasonable safeguards; no storage or transmission method is completely secure.

Use available ad privacy controls to change consent where offered. Depending on your location, you may also have rights to access, correct, delete, obtain a copy of, restrict, or object to processing; withdraw consent; opt out of legally defined sale or sharing; or complain to a privacy regulator. Email us to exercise applicable rights or appeal a request decision. We may need reasonable information to verify a request. We do not penalize you for exercising applicable rights. Requests about Apple’s or Google’s own records may need to go to that provider.

We do not sell puzzle progress or support messages. Advertising-related processing can fall within legal definitions of sharing in some regions; use available privacy choices or contact us for assistance.

7. Processing purposes and location

Where data-protection law requires a legal basis, we rely as applicable on providing requested services, legitimate interests in support and security, legal obligations, or consent for processing that requires it. Withdrawing consent does not affect earlier lawful processing. Our service providers may process information in the United States and other countries under their privacy terms and applicable transfer safeguards. Contact us with questions about a specific provider or processing activity.

8. Children, changes, and contact

Word Porch is intended for a general adult audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly seek personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us so we can address it.

We will update the date on this page when practices change and provide any additional notice or consent required by law. For Word Porch privacy matters, contact Fang Ventures at FangVentures.HQ@gmail.com.