Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

SettleUp ("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 mobile application (the "App") and website (settleupgame.com).

By using SettleUp, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the application.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect information provided through your authentication method:

• Apple ID (if using Sign in with Apple) — email address and display name
• Email address and display name
• Profile avatar selection

2.2 Game Data

We collect data about your gameplay to provide the game experience:

• Game actions, moves, and results
• Chat messages in multiplayer games
• Game settings and preferences
• Win/loss statistics

2.3 AI Interaction Data

When you play against AI opponents, your game state is processed by third-party AI services to generate opponent moves. This includes:

• Current board state and resource information
• Game history and move sequences
• No personal identifying information is sent to AI providers

2.4 Analytics Data

If you opt in, we may collect anonymous usage analytics including app launch frequency, feature usage patterns, and crash reports to improve the app experience.

2.5 Voice Chat Data

Premium subscribers can use voice chat during online multiplayer games. When you use voice chat:

• Voice audio is transmitted in real time through Agora, a third-party service, and is not recorded or stored by SettleUp or Agora
• We collect voice chat presence metadata (e.g., whether you are connected, muted, or speaking) to display status to other players
• If you report another player for voice chat abuse, the report details (reason, description) are stored for moderation purposes

No voice audio content is ever recorded, stored, or used for any purpose beyond real-time transmission to other players in your game session.

2.6 Advertising Data

When ads are displayed to free-tier users during gameplay, the following data may be collected by Google AdMob:

• Device advertising identifier (IDFA, when App Tracking Transparency is approved)
• IP-based coarse location (used for ad targeting and regional compliance)
• Ad interaction data (impressions, taps)
• Ad performance and diagnostic data

Premium subscribers are never shown ads and no advertising data is collected from them.

3. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services:

• Firebase (Google) — Authentication, database, cloud functions, hosting, and analytics
• Apple — Sign in with Apple, App Store, and StoreKit for subscriptions
• AI Model Providers — Google (Gemini), Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI (GPT), and xAI (Grok) for AI opponent gameplay. Game state data (no personal information) is sent to generate AI moves.
• Google AdMob — Ad serving for free-tier users. AdMob may collect device identifiers, IP-based location, and interaction data to serve and measure ads. See Google's advertising privacy policy.
• Agora — Real-time voice chat for premium subscribers during online multiplayer games. Agora processes voice audio for real-time transmission only; no audio is recorded or stored. See Agora's privacy policy.

Each third-party service has its own privacy policy governing their use of your data.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and maintain the game experience
• Process AI opponent moves and game actions
• Enable multiplayer functionality, including voice chat
• Manage your subscription and account
• Display ads to free-tier users and measure ad performance
• Respond to support tickets and bug reports
• Improve the app based on usage patterns (if analytics enabled)
• Send important account-related notifications

5. Advertising & Your Choices

Free-tier users may see ads powered by Google AdMob during opponent turns in online games. Ads are never shown during your own turn or while you are actively making decisions.

5.1 App Tracking Transparency (iOS)

On iOS 14.5 and later, we will request your permission via the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompt before accessing your device's advertising identifier (IDFA). If you decline, ads will still be shown but will not be personalized to you.

5.2 Opting Out of Personalized Ads

You can limit personalized advertising through:

• Declining the ATT prompt on iOS (Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking)
• Resetting your device advertising identifier
• Upgrading to a Premium subscription, which removes all ads entirely

5.3 Grace Period

New accounts receive a grace period before any ads are shown, so you can experience the game without interruption before deciding whether to subscribe.

6. Data Retention

We retain your account data and game history for as long as your account is active. You can request deletion of your data at any time through the app's Privacy Settings or by contacting us at the address below.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information, including encrypted data transmission (TLS), secure authentication via Firebase Auth and Apple Sign In, and server-side validation of all game actions. However, no method of electronic storage or transmission is 100% secure.

8. Children's Privacy

SettleUp is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Opt out of analytics data collection
• Opt out of personalized advertising (via ATT or device settings)
• Export your data

California Residents (CCPA)

California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, request its deletion, and opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell your personal information. Ad-related data collected by AdMob may constitute "sharing" under the CCPA; you can opt out by declining the ATT prompt or contacting us.

EEA/UK Residents (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, you have additional rights including the right to object to processing, data portability, and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. Personalized ads require your consent via the ATT prompt; non-personalized ads are served based on our legitimate interest in funding the free tier.

You can manage analytics, crash report, and ad personalization settings within the app under Settings > Privacy Settings. For data deletion requests, use the "Delete All Data" option in Privacy Settings or contact us.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us through our support page.