Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Pocket Star handles information when you use Picture Crossword: Word Puzzle (the App). The App is a crossword game with picture clues, computer-controlled rivals and daily puzzles. You do not need an account to play.

The advertising, Firebase and purchase services described below apply to the Android version distributed through Google Play. Versions without these services keep gameplay data locally.

2. Information stored on your device

The App saves the following information locally so you can continue playing:

• Unlocked levels, stars, puzzles and matches in progress, and completed daily challenges
• Coins, hints, trophies, daily reward dates and login streaks
• Sound, music and vibration settings, and whether you finished the tutorial
• First-play date, number of puzzles finished, and rating-prompt dates and counts
• Purchased items, Remove ads and VIP status, and purchase tokens used to prevent duplicate rewards

We do not upload your saved puzzle boards to our own servers. Clearing the App's storage or uninstalling it may erase local progress. Your device's backup settings may also affect whether local data is backed up or restored.

3. Usage statistics (Firebase Analytics)

The Android App uses Google Firebase Analytics to understand how the game is used and improve it. Analytics may process app instance identifiers, device and app information (such as model, operating system, language and app version), session information and usage events. These identifiers distinguish app installations; they do not make the data completely anonymous.

Events sent by the App include level starts and results, game mode, level identifier, wins and stars, hint use, rewarded-ad rewards, purchased product identifiers, and rating-prompt interactions. The App does not include your entered puzzle letters, purchase tokens or payment card details in these events. Google may also collect events automatically and process advertising identifiers where enabled and permitted.

Analytics and crash-report collection start disabled. The App enables them when Google's consent flow reports that consent is not required or has been obtained. There is no separate analytics or crash-reporting switch in the App's Settings.

Learn more in the Google Privacy Policy and How Google uses information from apps that use its services.

4. Crash reports (Firebase Crashlytics)

When collection is enabled, Google Firebase Crashlytics helps us find and fix errors. Reports may contain installation identifiers, crash traces, device and operating system details, app version, crash time and diagnostic logs. The App also records gameplay event names in diagnostic logs. We do not set a name or email address as a Crashlytics user identifier.

See Privacy and security in Firebase for Google's information about crash data, retention and security.

5. Advertising (Google AdMob)

The Android App uses Google AdMob to show banners on puzzle screens, full-screen ads between puzzles, and rewarded ads you choose to watch for in-game rewards. Google may display a consent form depending on your region and its requirements.

To deliver and measure ads and prevent fraud, Google and its advertising partners may process your IP address (including an approximate location inferred from it), Advertising ID and other device identifiers, app and device information, ad views and taps, and diagnostic information. The information used depends on your consent choices, device settings and Google's policies.

Remove ads and an active VIP subscription stop banners and full-screen ads between puzzles. Optional rewarded ads remain available. These purchases do not turn off Firebase Analytics or Crashlytics, and the advertising service may still initialize to provide rewarded ads.

More information: Google Privacy Policy, Google advertising technologies and AdMob data disclosures.

6. Purchases and subscriptions (Google Play)

Optional purchases include a starter pack, hint packs, Remove ads, and monthly or yearly VIP subscriptions. Google Play Billing processes payments. We do not receive your full payment card number, bank details or Google password.

Google Play provides the App with product identifiers, purchase status and purchase tokens so it can deliver items, check VIP status and restore eligible purchases. The App stores tokens locally to avoid granting the same purchase twice. Purchased product identifiers may also be sent to Firebase Analytics as described above.

You can use Restore purchases in the shop or Settings. Manage or cancel VIP subscriptions in Google Play. Uninstalling the App does not cancel a subscription. Google's handling of payment and purchase records is covered by the Google Privacy Policy.

7. Other app features and permissions

• Internet access is used for ads, enabled analytics and crash reports, purchases, purchase restoration and store features. Included puzzles can be played offline.
• Vibration provides optional haptic feedback and can be turned off in Settings.
• Ratings may use Google Play's review dialog or open the store page when you tap Rate us. Google handles the review you submit.
• Picture clues are supplied with the game. The App does not need access to your camera or photo library to show them.
• Rivals are controlled by the game; matches do not require a player profile, chat or sharing your puzzle board with another player.

8. Information you provide and data sharing

If you email us, we receive your email address and any information you include. We use this to answer your question or handle your request. Please avoid sending passwords or payment card details.

The App does not request your contacts, precise GPS location, microphone recordings or personal files. Google services process the data described above for advertising, game improvement, diagnostics and purchases. We may also disclose information when required by law or to protect legal rights.

9. Children

The App is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 or the applicable minimum age in their region. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us so we can investigate and take appropriate action.

10. Data retention and security

Local game data remains until it is cleared or removed, subject to device backup and restore settings. Analytics data is retained according to the settings in our Google Analytics project and Google's applicable policies. Google states that Crashlytics keeps crash reports and associated identifiers for 90 days before beginning removal from its live and backup systems. Advertising and purchase records follow Google's applicable retention policies.

Support correspondence is kept as needed to address your request and meet applicable obligations. Firebase and AdMob use encryption in transit. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure.

11. Your choices and privacy requests

• Make advertising consent choices in Google's form when it is shown.
• Use your device's Google or Android privacy settings to manage ad personalization and reset or delete your Advertising ID where available.
• Choose whether to watch rewarded ads, and purchase Remove ads or VIP to stop banners and full-screen ads between puzzles.
• Clear local data through Android Settings > Apps > Picture Crossword > Storage > Clear storage, or uninstall the App.
• Contact us about access, correction, deletion, objections to processing or withdrawal of consent, where those rights apply.

Clearing storage or uninstalling does not automatically delete records already held by Google, remove device backups or cancel subscriptions. Because there is no game account, we may need additional information to locate records associated with your installation. We will explain what we can identify and delete, and any applicable limits. Google account, advertising and payment records may need to be managed directly with Google.

12. International processing

Google and its partners may process information outside your country. Their applicable privacy policies and data processing terms describe the safeguards they use for international processing.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the App or its services change. We will post the revised policy on this page and update the date above. Where required, we will provide additional notice or request consent.

14. Contact

For privacy questions, support or a data request, contact:

Developer: Pocket Star
Email: xiliangxu@gmail.com
App: Picture Crossword: Word Puzzle (com.minikara.picture.crossword)