This Privacy Policy describes how TRK Studios ("we," "us," or "our") handles information in connection with the Chess Pane mobile application (the "App").
1. Information We Collect
The App does not require you to create an account, sign in, or provide any personal details, and we do not collect analytics. The App uses the internet and outside services only for the following:
- Ads. The App shows an AdMob banner ad at the bottom of its screens. Google's advertising SDK may collect and process your device's advertising identifier and related data, including approximate location derived from your IP address, as described in Google's Privacy Policy. Where required, a consent form (Google's User Messaging Platform) is shown before ads load, and you can change your choice later under Settings › Ads › Privacy settings.
- Purchases. "Remove ads" is a one-time purchase handled by Google Play Billing. The App only learns whether it was bought, and remembers that on your phone. We never see your payment details.
- Ratings. Google Play's in-app review card may appear after a win. Any review you leave goes to Google Play, not to the App or to us.
- Start-up check. When it starts, the App reads a small status file from trk-studios.com to see which features are switched on. The request carries nothing about you beyond what any web request includes (such as your IP address), and identifies itself only as "TRK Studios Chess Pane (Android)".
2. Playing a Friend Nearby
Nearby play is only used when you open it. It uses Google Nearby Connections to find the other phone over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which is why Android asks for Bluetooth, nearby-device and location permissions at that point. The App never reads your phone's location. Your chosen player name, the game's setup and the moves go directly to the other phone, encrypted, and nowhere else.
3. What Stays on Your Device
Everything you do in the App stays inside it and is never uploaded:
- Games and stats. Unfinished games, the results of finished games, and your puzzle progress and streak.
- Your boards. Boards you design in the editor.
- Settings. Your settings and player name.
4. How We Use Information
We don't receive any personal information from the App. Advertising data is used by Google to serve and measure ads as described in their policy. We do not track how you use the App.
5. Sharing of Information
We do not sell your information. The App communicates with Google for ads, purchases and ratings, acting under its own privacy terms. When you use "Share the moves" or share a board as a code, the text goes only to the app you pick in Android's share menu; Chess Pane doesn't send it anywhere itself.
6. Data Retention
Games, stats, puzzle progress, your boards and settings are kept inside the App until you delete them or uninstall the App.
7. Permissions
The App uses Internet access. For nearby play only, it asks for Bluetooth (scan, advertise and connect), nearby Wi-Fi devices, Wi-Fi state, and location; location is requested only in the nearby lobby, only while the App is open, and is never read for your position. The advertising SDK also adds network-state access and the advertising ID. The App does not request camera, microphone, contacts or storage permissions.
8. Children's Privacy
The App is intended for users 13 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone, including children under the age of 13.
9. Changes to This Policy
If this policy changes in the future (for example, if online play is added), this page will be updated and the "Last updated" date above will reflect the change.
10. Contact
If you have questions about this privacy policy, contact: contact.trkstudios@gmail.com.