Privacy Policy

1. General

In order to provide its services, the game may request certain data from the user. The user is given full control of this data - they can refuse to provide it, they can change it or completely delete it from our servers.
This data is stored only on our servers. We do not provide this data to any other third party unless required by law.

The game is available on multiple platforms, this privacy policy covers data processed on all platforms. Each platform, the game's name on that platform and its corresponding URL are given below:

What data is requested and how it's used is explained below.

1.1. Creating a profile

By default the game does not require any user data. The users can play the game freely without providing any details. It is only if they choose to create a profile that the game collects certain personal details. The personal data the game may collect from the users is the following:

  • display name: the name that others will see in the leaderboard or when playing with that user. It doesn't need to be the user's actual name.
  • email address: used for sign in purposes and for various app functionalities such as receiving game invites. Not publicly displayed anywhere or shared with anyone. It can be a disposable email.
  • country: used for displaying a flag next to the display name.
  • profile image: this is an optional image that is displayed next to the display name and country flag.

1.2. Online chat

Some of the games provide an online chat service where the users can exchange instant messages. These messages are not recorded anywhere and only exist temporarily for the duration of the game in the RAM memory of our servers and the users' devices. The messages are exchanged securely over encrypted SSL channels.

1.3. Friends

The game allows the option for users to add friends which makes it easier to play online games with them. This information is stored only on our servers and is not shared with 3rd parties.

1.4. Game history

The game keeps a history of the online games played by users for statistical purposes and for creating leaderboards. If a user chooses to delete their account, their name is removed from the game and it becomes anonymous.
These games are not publicly visible.

1.5. IP addresses

Due to the way the Internet works, when playing online, the players' IP addresses become visible to our servers. This behaviour cannot be changed without signifficantly changing the architecture of the Internet. Users who find this problematic are free to use a 3rd party service such as a VPN which allows them to hide their real IP addresses. The game will still work without limiting any functionality.
The same thing happens when accessing the website - the IP address, browser and operating system become visible to our servers.
The server logs that contain this informaiton are periodically cleared and are not shared with other parties.

1.6. Platform specific data collection

The game runs on multiple platforms and each platform has its own features. As a result of that, some of the platforms may collect additional data. This will be explained below.

1.6.1. Meta Oculus

On the Meta Oculus platform the application is named "Virtual Chess". On this platform the game may collect the following additional details:

  • Oculus user ID - this is a unique user ID that is specific only for this application. It is used in case game achievements need to be unlocked. It is also used in case a user made a purchase and that purchase needs to be stored into our database (the Oculus user id identifies who made the purchase). It is also used to verify app purchases on our backend server.

1.6.2. Amazon

On the Amazon platform the game may collect the following additional details:

  • Amazon user ID - this is a unique user ID that is specific only for this application. It is used in case a user made a purchase and that purchase needs to be stored into our database (the Amazon user id identifies who made the purchase) .

2. Data collected from third parties

The game may use personal user data from several third-party services. How this data is used and stored is described below.

2.1. Sign in with Google

In order to provide easier sign up and sign in functionality, the game provides a "Sign in with Google" button. This way we receive a user's name, email address and profile picture from Google without the need for the user to manually fill this data in. This is an optional step for simplification and the user is not required to do this in order to use our services. How we use and store this data is described in Section 1 of this privacy policy.

2.2. Sign in with Facebook

In order to provide easier sign up and sign in functionality, the game provides a "Sign in with Facebook" button. This way we receive a user's name, email address and profile picture from Facebook without the need for the user to manually fill this data in. This is an optional step for simplification and the user is not required to do this in order to use our services. How we use and store this data is described in Section 1 of this privacy policy.

3. Mobile Ads

On some devices the free version of the game uses 3rd party ad services. Details about them are provided below.

3.1. Admob

Admob is used on Android devices (downloaded from Google Play) and only in the free version of the game. A detailed explanation of how Admob handles and protects users' data can be found here: https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6128543?hl=en.

3.2. Huawei Ads

Huawei Ads is used on Huawei devices (downloaded from AppGallery) and only in the free version of the game. A detailed explanation of how Huawei Ads handles and protects users' data can be found here: https://consumer.huawei.com/minisite/cloudservice/privacy/index.htm

4. Diagnostics data

4.1. Google Analytics

Both the website and the game use Google Analytics in order to collect anonymous usage data for the following purposes:
  • record the number of users per given period
  • record app crashes, bugs and other similar errors
  • keep track of whether and how much certain app features are being used
A detailed explanation of how this data is processed can be found here: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245.

4.2. Unity Analytics

The game also uses Unity Analytics for the following purposes:
  • record the number of users per given period
  • record app crashes, bugs and other similar errors
  • keep track of whether and how much certain app features are being used
A detailed explanation of how this data is processed can be found here: https://unity3d.com/legal/privacy-policy.

5. Links to other websites

Our website may link to external sites that are not operated by us. Please be aware that we have no control over the content and practices of these sites, and cannot accept responsibility or liability for their respective privacy policies.

6. Use of cookies

Our website uses cookies for some of the services we provide you. To learn more about how we use cookies, please see our cookie policy.

7. Deleting your account

You can delete your account and all personal information associated with it by logging in to the website, going to the "Profile" page (https://chesshold.com/profile) and clicking "Delete account".

It's also possible to delete the account from the mobile app. You need to be logged in, then go to the main menu, Settings -> Delete account.

Your continued use of the website or software applications will be regarded as acceptance of our practices around privacy and personal information. If you have any questions about how we handle user data and personal information, feel free to contact us at privacy@chesshold.com.

This policy is effective as of 21 December 2020.
It is last updated on 21 March 2023 to include details about platform specific data collection on Oculus and Amazon platforms as well as several formatting changes.