The short version
- You can play without an account. Your progress is then saved only on your device.
- If you choose to sign in with Google, we save your game progress to your account so you can continue on other devices.
- The Android app shows ads from Google AdMob. Where the law requires it, you're asked for consent first, and you can change your choice in Settings. The website has no ads.
- The Android app sends anonymous usage stats (which games are played, wins and quits) through Google Firebase Analytics, and the app and website send anonymous error reports. You can switch both off in Settings.
- We don't sell your data.
- You can delete your cloud data and account at any time in the app, or by emailing us.
Who we are
BrainlyBits is a puzzle game made by an independent developer, available at brainlybits.com and as an Android app on Google Play. In this policy, "we" and "us" mean the BrainlyBits developer.
Questions or requests: support@brainlybits.com
What we collect and why
Game progress on your device
Your levels, stars, statistics, settings and similar game data are stored on your device (in the app's or browser's local storage). This stays on your device unless you sign in. Uninstalling the app or clearing the browser's site data deletes it.
If you sign in with Google (optional)
Sign-in uses Google Firebase Authentication. We receive your Google account's name, email address, profile picture and a unique user ID. Your game progress is then stored in Google Cloud Firestore, linked to that ID, so it's kept safe and synced between your devices. We use this only to provide the cloud save; we never email you or share it with anyone else.
Ads in the Android app
The Android app is free and shows ads through Google AdMob: occasional full-screen ads between puzzles, and optional videos you can choose to watch for a bonus. To show, measure and limit ads and to prevent fraud, Google may collect information such as your device's advertising ID, IP address (and a rough location derived from it), device and app information, and how you interact with ads.
- In the European Economic Area, the UK, Switzerland and some US states, Google's consent form asks for your choice before ads are personalized. You can change it any time in the app under Settings → Ad privacy choices (shown where it applies).
- You can reset or delete your advertising ID, or opt out of personalized ads, in your Android settings (Settings → Google → Ads, or Settings → Privacy → Ads).
- Ads are limited to content suitable for general audiences with parental guidance.
Learn more in How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services and the Google Privacy Policy.
Usage stats in the Android app
To see which games people enjoy and where puzzles are too hard, the Android app uses Google Firebase Analytics. It records things like opening the app, starting, finishing or leaving a puzzle (game, level, result, time, moves and hints used), watching an optional video, sharing a challenge, and the app's language. Firebase adds an app-instance ID (a random ID for this install, not your name or email), your device model and Android version, and a rough location (country) derived from your IP address. The advertising ID can be included, as it is for ads. We use this only in aggregate, to improve the game; it is not linked to your Google sign-in. Turn it off any time in Settings → Share usage stats. Google keeps this data for up to 14 months.
Error reports
When something goes wrong in the app or on the website, a short error report is sent to Sentry, an error-monitoring service: the error message and technical details, the screen and level you were on, your last few taps in the game (which buttons, not what you typed), the app version, the platform (app or website), the browser/device description and the language. It contains no account, name, email or device ID, and we've set Sentry not to store IP addresses. Reports are kept for up to 90 days. Switching off Share usage stats in the Android app also stops error reports.
Other features
- Sharing and challenge links use your device's normal share menu. We don't see who you share with. A challenge link contains only the puzzle and a move count.
- Rating prompt: the Android app may show Google Play's built-in review window. That's handled by Google Play; we only see the public review if you post one.
- Website hosting: the website is hosted by Netlify, whose servers process standard request data such as IP addresses to deliver and protect the site.
Who we share data with
We don't sell or rent personal data. We use these service providers, which process data for the purposes above under their own privacy policies:
- Google (Firebase Authentication and Cloud Firestore for the optional cloud save; Firebase Analytics for usage stats in the Android app; AdMob for ads in the Android app; Google Play)
- Sentry (Functional Software, Inc.) for error reports
- Netlify (website hosting)
We may also disclose information if required by law.
Delete your data
- In the app: Settings → Account → Delete my cloud data. This deletes your cloud save and your BrainlyBits sign-in record, and signs you out. (If the sign-in record can't be removed right away, email us and we'll remove it.) Progress on the device stays until you reset it.
- Delete your progress but keep your account: Settings → Reset all progress. This erases all your game progress (levels, stars, streaks, trophies and pictures) on this device and, if you're signed in, in your cloud save too. Your sign-in account stays, so you can keep playing and syncing from a fresh start.
- Progress on your device only: uninstall the app or clear the website's data.
- By email: write to support@brainlybits.com from the Google account you signed in with, and we'll delete your account and cloud data within 30 days.
Data held by Google for ads is managed by Google; see the ad settings above.
How long we keep data
Your cloud save is kept until you delete it or ask us to. If an account is unused for 3 years, we may delete it. Error reports are kept for up to 90 days, and usage stats are kept by Google for up to 14 months. Data on your device stays until you remove it.
Your rights
Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR in Europe or privacy laws in some US states), you may have the right to access, correct, delete or export your personal data, to object to or limit its use, and to withdraw consent at any time. To use these rights, email us. You can also complain to your local data protection authority.
Where the GDPR applies, we rely on your consent (personalized ads), on providing the service you asked for (the optional cloud save), and on our legitimate interest in keeping the game running, free and working well (non-personalized ads, security, error reports and usage stats, which you can switch off in Settings).
Children
BrainlyBits is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13. We don't knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child has signed in, contact us and we'll delete the data.
Security and international transfers
Data is sent over encrypted connections (HTTPS). Cloud saves can only be read and written by the signed-in player. Our providers may process data in countries other than yours, including the United States, with the safeguards they provide.
Changes
If we change this policy, we'll update the date at the top. For important changes, we'll let you know in the app.