Smolderwatch ("the game", "we", "us") is a single-player idle role-playing game. This policy explains what information the game handles, why, and the choices you have. We keep data collection to the minimum needed to show optional ads, sync your saved game, and process purchases.
Data deletion requests
To request deletion of your data, email jerryymkim@gmail.com with the subject line "Smolderwatch data deletion". We respond to deletion requests within 30 days.
What gets deleted: your cloud-saved game progress (zones, currencies, upgrades, settings) stored via Google Play Games Saved Games. You can also delete this yourself at any time through Google Play Games ("Delete Play Games data"). If you are on the leaderboards, your leaderboard entry (hero name, avatar, scores) is deleted too, including the recovery copy described under "Leaderboards" below; you can also remove your entry yourself with Leave Leaderboards on your Profile screen.
What is kept: nothing that identifies you. The optional anonymous analytics use a random install ID that is not linked to your identity, so there is no personal record to delete. Your local save lives only on your device and is removed when you uninstall the app. Retention of advertising and identifier data handled by Google AdMob is governed by Google.
What we collect
The game itself does not ask you for your name, email address, or any personal profile. The information involved is collected and processed by the third-party Google services the game uses, plus an optional first-party analytics feature you control.
1. Advertising — Google AdMob
When you choose to watch a rewarded ad, Google AdMob may collect and process:
- your device's advertising identifier (Advertising ID),
- device information (model, operating-system version, language, coarse region),
- ad-interaction data (which ads were shown and completed).
Google uses this to serve and measure ads. Ads are optional — they load only when you tap a "watch ad" button for a bonus. See Google's Privacy Policy and how AdMob handles data.
2. Cloud save — Google Play Games Services
If you sign in to Google Play Games, the game stores your saved progress in your Google account (Play Games "Saved Games" / Snapshots) so you can restore it on another device. This uses your Play Games player ID and your saved-game data — which is only your in-game progress (zones, currencies, upgrades, settings). Cloud save is optional; the game works fully offline with a local save if you don't sign in.
3. Purchases — Google Play Billing
In-app purchases are processed entirely by Google Play. The game receives only a confirmation that a purchase succeeded (so it can grant the item) — it never sees or stores your payment-card details.
4. Anonymous analytics (optional)
The game includes a built-in analytics feature. In the EEA, the UK and Switzerland it is off until you turn on "Send anonymous analytics" in Options yourself; nothing is sent before that. Everywhere else it is on by default. While that option is enabled, the game sends the following to a first-party endpoint (a private Google Sheet operated by the developer):
- A random install ID — a 32-character hex string generated by the game on first run. It is not linked to your Google account, device advertising ID, name, email, or any other identifier. It exists only to group events from the same install in the data.
- Gameplay events and totals: session start and end, zones reached and cleared, prestige, hero death, upgrades bought, abilities used, special events, offline rewards claimed, rewarded ads watched (which button, not which ad), and purchases completed (the item bought — never payment details). These carry in-game numbers such as zone, play time, gold, gems, and tap and kill counts, plus the app version. No location, no device model, no OS version.
Opting out: toggle "Send anonymous analytics" off in Options at any time. Future events stop immediately. The random install ID is not linkable to your identity, so there is nothing to delete — the data is anonymous numbers.
This feature is entirely the developer's own code — it does not use any third-party analytics SDK.
5. Leaderboards (optional)
The game has leaderboards that other players can see. In the EEA, the UK and Switzerland you are not on them until you tap Join on the Leaderboards screen; nothing is sent before that. Everywhere else you are placed on them automatically, and the game tells you so the first time you open the Leaderboards screen. While you are on the leaderboards, the game sends the following to a first-party endpoint (a private Google Sheet operated by the developer):
- the hero name you chose and your chosen avatar — shown to other players,
- your scores: highest zone, number of prestiges, and total kills — shown to other players,
- the random install ID described above — used only to find and update your own entry; it is not shown to other players.
Your hero name is whatever you typed, so do not use your real name if you do not want it shown. Leaving: tap Leave Leaderboards on your Profile screen at any time. Your entry is removed from the leaderboards right away and nothing further is sent unless you join again. A copy of the removed entry is kept for up to 30 days in a private recovery log that other players cannot see, so that an unauthorised removal can be undone, and is then deleted automatically; email the contact address above to have it erased sooner.
We do not use any other separate analytics or tracking SDK, and we do not sell your personal information.
How the information is used
- To show the rewarded ads you choose to watch, and keep them relevant (AdMob).
- To back up and restore your game progress across devices (Play Games).
- To deliver the items you purchase (Play Billing).
Your choices and consent
- Ads are opt-in per view — you only ever see one when you tap to watch.
- EEA / UK (GDPR): before any personalized ads load, the game shows Google's consent dialog (UMP). You can change or withdraw consent at any time from Settings → Privacy → "Ad privacy & consent" inside the game. The game's own anonymous analytics stays off in these regions unless you switch it on (see "Anonymous analytics" above); agreeing to the ads dialog does not switch it on.
- Advertising ID: you can reset or delete it in your device settings (Settings → Google → Ads), which limits ad personalization.
- Cloud save: decline the Google Play Games sign-in to keep all of your data local to your device.
Retention and deletion
- Your local save lives on your device; uninstalling the app removes it.
- Cloud saves live in your Google account — you can delete them through Google Play Games ("Delete Play Games data") or by emailing the contact address above.
- Retention of advertising and identifier data is governed by Google.
See the Data deletion requests section above for step-by-step instructions.
Children
Smolderwatch is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your region). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The "Effective date" above will change, and material updates will be noted on the store listing.
Contact
Questions or data-deletion requests: jerryymkim@gmail.com