Privacy Policy

## 1. Introduction

Welcome to **SoundPrey**! This Privacy Policy explains how PixelForge Apps ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you use the SoundPrey mobile application (the "App").

By using SoundPrey, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use the App.

**Age Restriction:** SoundPrey's age rating is determined by regional content rating systems (typically **7-12+** depending on country/region). **Parental supervision is recommended** for children under 13 due to outdoor gameplay and location sharing features. We do not knowingly collect personal information from young children without parental awareness. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at **apps@pixelforge-apps.com**.

## 2. Information We Collect

### 2.1 Personal Information

When you create an account, we may collect:

- **Email address** (optional - only if you choose email/password registration)

- **Display name/username** (chosen by you)

- **Authentication credentials** (securely encrypted via Firebase Authentication)

**Guest Mode Available:** You can play as a guest without providing any personal information. Guest accounts have limited features (no cloud save, no leaderboard participation, progress not synced across devices).

### 2.2 Location Data (GPS)

SoundPrey is a **location-based game** and requires access to your device's GPS location to function. We collect:

- **Real-time GPS coordinates** (latitude, longitude, accuracy)

- **Movement data** (distance walked, speed)

- **Location updates during active hunts** (only while playing)

**IMPORTANT - Location Privacy:**

- Location data is **ONLY collected when you are actively playing a hunt** (Solo or Multiplayer mode)

- Location sharing **stops immediately** when you exit a hunt or close the app

- We do **NOT track your location in the background** when the app is closed or minimized

- **Background location access is NEVER used** - we only use foreground location

**Multiplayer Location Sharing:**

- In **Multiplayer mode**, your real-time GPS location is shared with other players (hunters or prey) **during the active hunt only**

- Other players can see your approximate location to enable gameplay

- Location sharing is **limited to a 500m radius** around the hunt zone

- Location data is **NOT stored permanently** - it's only used during the hunt session

### 2.3 Gameplay Data

We automatically collect gameplay statistics:

- **Hunt results** (victories, defeats, time elapsed, final distance to prey)

- **XP and level progression**

- **Achievement unlocks and progress**

- **Ability usage statistics** (SCAN, LOCK usage counts)

- **Leaderboard rankings** (username, level, XP, win/loss ratio)

- **Total hunts played, success rate, distance walked**

### 2.4 Device Information

We collect non-personal device data for app performance and crash reporting:

- **Device model and manufacturer** (e.g., Samsung Galaxy S21)

- **Operating system version** (e.g., Android 13)

- **App version** (e.g., SoundPrey 1.0.0)

- **Screen resolution**

- **Device language settings**

- **Internet connection type** (mobile data, WiFi)

### 2.5 Analytics Data

We use **Firebase Analytics** (Google) to understand how users interact with the App:

- **Screen views** (which screens you visit)

- **Session duration** (how long you play)

- **Feature usage** (which game modes you play, which abilities you use)

- **Crash reports** (if the app crashes, to help us identify and fix bugs)

**Analytics data is aggregated and anonymized** - we cannot identify individual users from this data.

---

## 3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

### 3.1 Core Gameplay Functionality

- **GPS tracking** - To enable location-based hunting gameplay

- **Multiplayer matching** - To find nearby hunts within 500m radius

- **Real-time synchronization** - To share location between hunters and prey during active hunts

- **AI pathfinding** - To spawn AI prey on valid roads and sidewalks using map data

### 3.2 Game Progression & Features

- **Save your progress** - XP, level, achievements, stats (cloud sync for registered accounts)

- **Leaderboard rankings** - Display your username and stats on global leaderboards

- **Achievement tracking** - Record unlocked achievements and XP rewards

### 3.3 App Improvement & Support

- **Performance optimization** - Identify slow screens, laggy features, or battery drain issues

- **Bug fixing** - Understand crash causes and fix issues in updates

- **Feature development** - See which features are popular to prioritize updates

- **Customer support** - Respond to your inquiries and troubleshoot issues

### 3.4 Account Management

- **Authentication** - Verify your identity when logging in

- **Account recovery** - Help you recover access if you forget your password

- **Multi-device sync** - Allow you to play on multiple devices with the same account

---

## 4. Data Storage and Security

### 4.1 Where Your Data is Stored

Your data is stored on secure cloud servers provided by:

- **Firebase Authentication** - Google Cloud Platform (USA/Europe)

- **Firebase Realtime Database** - Google Cloud Platform (USA/Europe)

- **Firebase Firestore** - Google Cloud Platform (USA/Europe)

- **Firebase Analytics** - Google Cloud Platform (USA/Europe)

Google Firebase complies with **GDPR (EU), CCPA (California), and COPPA (USA)** regulations and uses industry-standard encryption.

### 4.2 Security Measures

We implement security safeguards to protect your data:

✅ **Encryption in transit** - All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS

✅ **Encryption at rest** - Firebase databases encrypt data stored on servers

✅ **Secure authentication** - Passwords are never stored in plain text; Firebase uses secure token-based authentication

✅ **Firestore Security Rules** - Database access rules prevent unauthorized reading/writing of user data

✅ **No payment data (currently)** - We do not currently collect credit card or payment information. If we introduce optional in-app purchases in the future (e.g., cosmetic items such as character skins, UI themes, or sound packs), payment processing will be handled securely by **Google Play Billing**. We will never store payment card details - all transactions are processed by Google. This Privacy Policy will be updated if payment features are added.

✅ **No sensitive data** - We do not collect social security numbers, financial data, or health information

**However:** No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data using industry-standard practices, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

---

## 5. Data Sharing and Third Parties

### 5.1 We DO NOT Sell Your Data

**We will NEVER sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes or advertising.**

### 5.2 Third-Party Services We Use

The App integrates the following third-party services:

**Firebase (Google LLC)**

- **Purpose:** User authentication, cloud database, analytics, crash reporting

- **Data shared:** Email (optional), username, location during hunts, gameplay stats, device info

- **Privacy Policy:** https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

**MapLibre / OpenFreeMap**

- **Purpose:** 3D vector maps for gameplay

- **Data shared:** Map tile requests (geographic coordinates for loading maps - no personal data, no user tracking)

- **Privacy Policy:** https://openfreemap.org

**OpenStreetMap (OSM)**

- **Purpose:** 2D street maps

- **Data shared:** Map tile requests (no personal data, no tracking)

- **Privacy Policy:** https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy

**ESRI World Imagery**

- **Purpose:** Satellite map tiles

- **Data shared:** Map tile requests (no personal data, no tracking)

- **Privacy Policy:** https://www.esri.com/en-us/privacy/overview

**Overpass API (OpenStreetMap)**

- **Purpose:** Fetching building and road data for AI pathfinding

- **Data shared:** Anonymous geographic queries (latitude/longitude bounding boxes - no personal identifiers)

- **Privacy Policy:** https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Overpass_API

### 5.3 When We May Disclose Data

We may disclose your information in the following limited circumstances:

- **Legal requirements** - If required by law, court order, subpoena, or government request

- **Safety and security** - To protect the rights, property, or safety of our users or the public

- **Business transfers** - If PixelForge Apps is acquired, merged, or sold, user data may be transferred to the new owner (you will be notified in advance)

- **With your consent** - We will share your data with third parties only if you explicitly consent

---

## 6. Location Data - Detailed Explanation

### 6.1 How Location is Used in Different Game Modes

**During Solo Hunt:**

- Your location is used to track your position relative to the AI prey

- Location is processed **locally on your device** - NOT shared with other users or our servers

- Location updates stop immediately when you exit the hunt

**During Multiplayer Hunt:**

- **As Prey:** Your real-time GPS location is shared with hunters participating in the same hunt

- **As Hunter:** You receive the prey's real-time location updates to track them on the map

- **Location sharing zone:** Only players within a 500m radius can see and join your hunt

- **Sharing duration:** Location sharing STOPS immediately when the hunt ends (victory, defeat, or exit)

### 6.2 Background Location Access

**We DO NOT track your location in the background.**

- Location is **ONLY collected when the app is open** and a hunt is active

- When you close the app, minimize it, or exit a hunt, **location tracking stops completely**

- **No background location permission is requested** - we only use foreground location

- We do **NOT use location data for advertising, marketing, or analytics**

### 6.3 Location Data Retention

- **Real-time location during hunts:** NOT stored permanently - deleted when hunt ends

- **Aggregated distance statistics:** Stored (total distance walked - no GPS coordinates)

- **Hunt result locations:** NOT stored - only the final distance to prey is recorded

### 6.4 Your Location Controls

You have full control over location access:

- **Android Settings** - Revoke location permission at any time in Settings > Apps > SoundPrey > Permissions (app will not function without location)

- **In-app controls** - Exit a hunt to stop location sharing immediately

- **Guest mode** - Play without linking location to an account (location still required for gameplay, but not linked to your identity)

---

## 7. Data Retention

### 7.1 How Long We Keep Your Data

- **Account data** (email, username, password) - Kept until you delete your account

- **Gameplay data** (XP, achievements, hunt history) - Stored indefinitely for leaderboards and statistics (linked to your account)

- **Real-time location data** - **NOT stored after a hunt ends** (only used during active gameplay)

- **Analytics data** (aggregated usage stats) - Retained for up to **14 months** (Google Analytics default)

- **Crash reports** - Retained for up to **90 days** (for debugging purposes)

### 7.2 Account Deletion

You can request full account deletion at any time by contacting us at **apps@pixelforge-apps.com**.

**Deletion process:**

1. Send an email from your registered email address with subject "Delete My Account"

2. We will verify your identity and delete your account within **30 days**

3. Deleted data **cannot be recovered**

**What gets permanently deleted:**

- Username, email, authentication credentials

- XP, level, achievements, personal stats

- Hunt history and gameplay records

- Leaderboard entries

**What remains (anonymized, no personal identifiers):**

- Aggregated analytics (e.g., "X% of users play Solo Hunt mode")

- Crash reports (device model and OS version only - no usernames or emails)

---

## 8. Your Rights (GDPR Compliance)

If you are located in the **European Economic Area (EEA)** or **United Kingdom**, you have the following rights under GDPR:

### 8.1 Right to Access

Request a copy of all personal data we hold about you (we will provide a JSON export).

### 8.2 Right to Rectification

Correct inaccurate or incomplete data (e.g., update your username or email).

### 8.3 Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten)

Request permanent deletion of your personal data.

### 8.4 Right to Data Portability

Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format (JSON export) to transfer to another service.

### 8.5 Right to Object

Object to processing of your data for certain purposes (e.g., analytics, marketing).

### 8.6 Right to Restriction of Processing

Request temporary suspension of data processing while we investigate a complaint.

### 8.7 Right to Withdraw Consent

Withdraw consent for data processing at any time (e.g., delete account, disable analytics).

**To exercise your rights, contact us at:** apps@pixelforge-apps.com

**Response time:** We will respond to your request within **30 days** as required by GDPR.

---

## 9. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

SoundPrey's age rating is determined by regional content rating systems (typically **7-12+** depending on country/region).

**For children under 13 (USA - COPPA):**

- We recommend **parental supervision** for all children under 13

- We do **NOT knowingly collect personal information** from young children without parental consent or awareness

- **Guest mode** is available for children to play without providing personal information

- **Location sharing** in multiplayer requires parental awareness and consent

**Parents/Guardians:**

- If you believe your child has provided personal information to us without your awareness, please contact us immediately at **apps@pixelforge-apps.com**

- We will delete the information within **30 days** of verification

**Parental Controls:**

- Use Guest mode to prevent account creation

- Monitor your child's gameplay and location sharing

- Disable location permissions when not playing

---

## 10. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and stored on servers located in countries outside your residence, including:

- **United States** (Google Firebase servers)

- **European Union** (Google Firebase servers)

These countries may have different data protection laws than your country. By using SoundPrey, you consent to the transfer of your data to these jurisdictions.

**Firebase complies with:**

- **EU-US Data Privacy Framework** (for EEA users)

- **Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)** - GDPR-approved data transfer mechanism

- **GDPR requirements** for international data transfers

---

## 11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or app features.

**Notification of changes:**

- **Minor updates:** "Last Updated" date will be changed at the top of this page

- **Significant changes:** We will notify you via:

 - In-app notification when you open the app

 - Email (if you provided one and opted in to updates)

 - Prominent notice on our website

**Your rights after changes:**

- **Continued use** of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy

- **If you disagree** with the changes, you may delete your account and stop using the App

**Archive:** Previous versions of this Privacy Policy are available upon request at apps@pixelforge-apps.com.

---

## 12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data:

**PixelForge Apps**

Email: **apps@pixelforge-apps.com**

Website: https://pixelforge-apps.com

Privacy Policy URL: https://pixelforge-apps.com/app/soundprey/privacy-policy

**Data Protection Officer (GDPR inquiries):**

Email: **dpo@pixelforge-apps.com**

**Response time:** We aim to respond to all inquiries within **7 business days** (30 days for formal GDPR requests).

## 13. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the **European Economic Area (EEA)**, the legal basis for processing your data is:

- **Consent** - You consent to location tracking when enabling GPS permissions and agreeing to this Privacy Policy

- **Contract** - Processing is necessary to provide the game service you requested (gameplay, leaderboards, achievements)

- **Legitimate interests** - Analytics and app improvement serve our legitimate business interests (with your consent and opt-out rights)

**You can withdraw consent at any time by:**

- Disabling location permissions (app will stop functioning)

- Deleting your account (apps@pixelforge-apps.com)

- Opting out of analytics (contact us)

---

## 14. Third-Party Links and Services

The App may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., social media, support pages, map providers). We are **NOT responsible** for the privacy practices of these third parties.

**External links:**

- OpenStreetMap - https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy

- Firebase - https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

- ESRI - https://www.esri.com/en-us/privacy/overview

**Please review their privacy policies** before providing them with personal information.

---

## 15. Do Not Track (DNT) and Opt-Out Options

**Do Not Track (DNT):**

- SoundPrey does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" (DNT) browser signals, as there is no industry standard for DNT compliance in mobile apps

**However, you can control data collection via:**

- **Android location permissions** - Disable location access (app will not function)

- **Firebase Analytics opt-out** - Contact us at apps@pixelforge-apps.com to disable analytics for your account

- **Guest mode** - Play without creating an account (limited features, no cloud save)

## 16. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a **California resident**, you have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

### 16.1 Right to Know

Request disclosure of:

- Categories of personal information collected

- Sources of personal information

- Business purpose for collecting data

- Categories of third parties with whom data is shared

### 16.2 Right to Delete

Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal exceptions).

### 16.3 Right to Opt-Out

Opt-out of the "sale" of personal information. **Note: We do NOT sell personal information.**

### 16.4 Right to Non-Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.

**To exercise CCPA rights, contact:** apps@pixelforge-apps.com

**Verification:** We may request verification of your identity before processing requests.

## 17. Summary (Quick Overview)

**What we collect:**

- Email, username (optional - only for registered accounts)

- GPS location (during active hunts only - NOT in background)

- Gameplay stats (XP, achievements, hunt results)

- Device info and analytics (anonymized)

**How we use it:**

- Enable GPS-based gameplay and multiplayer

- Save your progress and display leaderboards

- Improve the app and fix bugs

**We do NOT:**

- Sell your data to third parties

- Track your location in the background

- Collect data from young children without parental awareness

- Show advertisements or use your data for advertising purposes

- Store payment card details (if IAP are added in future, Google Play handles all payments securely)

- Share your data without consent (except as required by law)

**Your rights:**

- Access, delete, or export your data

- Opt-out of analytics

- Withdraw consent anytime

- Play in Guest mode without account

**By using SoundPrey, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.**

**Privacy Policy Version:** 1.0

**Effective Date:** December 17, 2025

**Last Updated:** December 17, 2025

**App Version:** 1.0.0

**Contact:** apps@pixelforge-apps.com

**Privacy URL:** https://pixelforge-apps.com/app/soundprey/privacy-policy