Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 2025-12-05

Introduction

Chess.PhD: Puzzles & Tactics ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our chess puzzle mobile application (the "App"). Please read this Privacy Policy carefully.

Information We Collect

Automatically Collected Information

Analytics Data
- App usage patterns and interactions
- Puzzle solving performance and timing
- Feature usage statistics
- Device information (operating system, app version)
- Session duration and frequency of use

Game Progress Data
- Chess puzzle attempts and solutions
- ELO rating changes and history
- Solving streaks and achievements
- Time spent on puzzles
- Hint usage and difficulty preferences
- Theme selection and customization choices

Technical Data
- Anonymous user identifiers
- Error reports and crash data
- Performance metrics

Information You Provide

Initial Setup
- Chess skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
- Playing experience and rating estimates
- Puzzle difficulty preferences

App Interactions
- Push notification preferences
- Theme and color selections
- Filter settings (difficulty, themes, colors)

How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information to:
- Improve Your Experience: Provide personalized puzzle recommendations based on your skill level and solving history
- Track Progress: Maintain your ELO rating, solve streaks, and achievement progress
- Optimize Performance: Analyze app usage to improve features and fix bugs
- Send Notifications: Deliver daily puzzle reminders and streak notifications (only if you opt-in)
- Prevent Abuse: Ensure fair play and prevent misuse of the app

Data Storage and Security

Local Storage
- Your progress data, preferences, and settings are stored locally on your device
- Local data includes ratings, streaks, attempted puzzles, and UI preferences
- This data remains on your device and can be deleted by uninstalling the app

Cloud Storage
- We use Firebase for anonymous user authentication
- Puzzle attempt data and ratings are synchronized with our secure backend servers
- All data transmission is encrypted using industry-standard protocols

Data Retention
- Local data is retained until you delete the app
- Server-side data is retained for account continuity and service improvement
- Rating history is automatically cleaned to retain only the last 90 days of data


Subscriptions and Payments

We offer optional subscription plans inside the App. When you purchase a subscription, the payment is processed by the Apple App Store using your Apple ID account. We do not receive or store your full payment information (such as credit card numbers). Apple provides us only with transaction identifiers and basic subscription status (e.g., whether your subscription is active, expired, renewed, or refunded).
This information is used solely for enabling access to premium features, managing your entitlements, and providing customer support.

RevenueCat
We use a third-party service, RevenueCat, to manage in-app purchases and subscription status. RevenueCat processes non-sensitive purchase metadata such as:

• App user identifier
• Subscription product purchased
• Purchase date, renewal status, refund status
• RevenueCat does not receive your name, email, or payment card information.
• You can review RevenueCat’s Privacy Policy here: https://www.revenuecat.com/privacy/

Managing Subscriptions
Subscriptions are managed through your Apple ID account settings. You may modify or cancel your subscription at any time in the App Store. We do not have the ability to cancel subscriptions on your behalf.


Free Trials
If you start a free trial, Apple notifies us when the trial converts to a paid subscription or is cancelled. We use this information only to manage access to premium features.


Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect information:

Firebase (Google)
- Purpose: Anonymous user authentication and data synchronization
- Data Collected: Anonymous user IDs, authentication tokens
- Privacy Policy: [https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy](https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy)

Amplitude
- Purpose: Analytics and app performance monitoring
- Data Collected: Usage patterns, feature interactions, anonymous user behavior
- Privacy Policy: [https://amplitude.com/privacy](https://amplitude.com/privacy)

RevenueCat
-Subscription Management system

Children's Privacy

Chessly is appropriate for users of all ages, including children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:
- Posting the new Privacy Policy within the app
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- Sending an in-app notification for significant changes

Your continued use of the App after any modifications indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at:

Email: stovmasian.master@gmail.com
Subject: "Chessly Puzzles Privacy Policy Inquiry"

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.