Privacy Policy

1. Scope and responsibility

DDBlue Home is developed and published by DDBlue Studio, a game and app studio based in New Jersey, United States. In this policy, “DDBlue Studio”, “we” and “us” refer to the business that operates under that name. This policy covers the game, including its test builds, and communications you send us about it. The studio website has a separate website Privacy Policy, and use of the game is also subject to our Terms of Use.

2. Services used by DDBlue Home

DDBlue Home uses: Firebase Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics (Google); Google AdMob for ads, with Google’s User Messaging Platform for consent where required; Apple StoreKit for in-app purchases; App Store Server Notifications, received by a small purchase-record service we run on Cloudflare; optional Cloud Save through Apple iCloud (CloudKit); a list of our other apps downloaded from our website; and device-local saves. Each is described below. DDBlue Home does not use Game Center, does not ask for App Tracking Transparency permission and has no player accounts.

3. Categories of information processed

Depending on the feature you use, processing includes the following categories:

• Usage and gameplay information: app launches, sessions and gameplay events reported through analytics, such as levels completed, hints used, purchase steps and ad events.
• Technical information and identifiers: app version/build, device model, operating-system version, language/locale, and app-instance or installation identifiers used by the SDKs. Approximate country or region may be derived by the analytics and advertising services from network information; this is not precise GPS location.
• Diagnostics: crash traces, error details, device/app context and diagnostic identifiers.
• Saved game information: level progress, story progress and settings stored locally, and synchronized through Cloud Save if you turn it on.
• Purchase information: the name of the product you bought, recorded in analytics, and purchase and refund notifications from Apple (see section 9). We do not receive your name, email address or payment details from Apple.
• Advertising information: information processed by Google AdMob to show and measure ads (see section 10).
• Communications: your email address and the contents or attachments you voluntarily send for support or privacy requests.

DDBlue Home does not provide a player-account system or social login, and no user ID is set in analytics or crash reports. Ordinary gameplay does not ask for your real name, phone number, contacts, precise location, social profile, payment-card details or Apple ID password. SDK installation identifiers should not be understood as anonymous simply because they do not contain your name.

4. Purposes of processing

We use information to run the game and preserve progress; understand use and improve levels, features and game balance; detect and resolve crashes; respond to questions and privacy requests; and maintain reliability and security. We use purchase information to deliver and restore purchases and to answer purchase questions, and advertising information to show ads and offer optional rewards. We do not intentionally include names, email addresses, passwords or unnecessary sensitive information in analytics events or diagnostic reports.

5. Analytics

Firebase Analytics, a Google service, helps us understand sessions, level progress, feature use and engagement. It may process usage events, app-instance identifiers and device/app information described above. Network information can be processed by the provider to deliver the service and derive approximate geography. DDBlue Home uses the version of Firebase Analytics that does not access your device’s advertising identifier, and advertising-related Analytics features are turned off. We use analytics to improve DDBlue Home; we do not use analytics data for cross-app advertising tracking. Analytics collection is off each time the app starts until Google’s consent tools have checked whether consent is needed. In regions where consent is required, including the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, Analytics collection starts only after you agree through the in-app consent message, and you can change your choice later in Settings → Support & Privacy → Privacy choices. If you withdraw consent, collection stops and analytics data not yet sent is cleared from your device.

6. Crash diagnostics

Firebase Crashlytics, a Google service, processes crash and non-fatal error reports so we can identify technical failures and assess their impact. Reports may include stack traces, app version, device model, operating-system information and Crashlytics installation identifiers. We do not attach player names, email addresses or user IDs. Google describes the service’s processing and retention in its Firebase privacy documentation.

7. Local saves

DDBlue Home stores progress and settings on your device between sessions. Local data may include the levels you have unlocked and your results, the level you are currently playing, story progress and settings. Local storage is distinct from sending gameplay events to analytics. Deleting the app generally removes its app-local data, but device backups and platform restore behavior may preserve or restore copies. Deleting local data does not automatically delete reports already sent to Firebase.

8. Cloud Save

Cloud Save is optional and off until you turn it on in Settings. When on, DDBlue Home stores long-term progress in your private iCloud database through Apple CloudKit: unlocked levels and results, story progress and selected settings. The level in progress stays on the device. Cloud Save records are stored in your private iCloud database under Apple’s privacy terms. By default, these records are accessible to your iCloud account and are not visible to us through the CloudKit developer dashboard. DDBlue Home does not receive your Apple ID password and does not create a separate studio account. You can turn Cloud Save off at any time. You may also be able to manage or delete associated iCloud data through Apple’s available account and device settings. Contact us at [email protected] if you need assistance with your Cloud Save data.

9. Purchases

In-app purchases (Remove Ads) are processed by Apple through the App Store. DDBlue Studio never receives your credit-card number or Apple payment credentials. The app uses StoreKit to verify transactions, deliver and restore Remove Ads. When analytics is allowed, a purchase event records which product was bought, without the price or any payment details.

Apple also sends us App Store Server Notifications about purchases and refunds. A small service we operate on Cloudflare stores, for each notification: the notification type, product ID, transaction IDs, dates, app bundle ID and environment. These records do not include your name, email address or payment details. We use them only to answer purchase and refund questions and for accounting.

10. Advertising

DDBlue Home shows ads through Google AdMob: automatic interstitial ads between some levels, never during a level, and optional rewarded ads that you choose to watch for a reward. Remove Ads turns off the automatic ads and makes all hints free.

To show and measure ads, Google may process device and app information, IP address, approximate location derived from it, and ad interactions, as described in How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services. DDBlue Home does not ask for App Tracking Transparency permission and does not access your device’s advertising identifier (IDFA). Where required, including in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, DDBlue Home uses Google’s consent management tools (User Messaging Platform) to request and manage your advertising consent choices, and you can change them later in Settings → Support & Privacy → Privacy choices when that option is shown. We do not sell your information.

11. “More from DDBlue Studio” list

Settings shows a list of our other apps and games. To keep it up to date, the app downloads this list from our website, ddbluestudio.com, which is hosted by Cloudflare, at most about once an hour. As with any web request, our hosting provider receives your IP address and basic technical information. The request contains no identifiers or game data, does not depend on your consent choices and is not used to track you. Tapping an entry opens our website or the App Store.

12. Support communications

If you email us, we receive your email address, message and any attachments or device/app details you choose to include. Contact Support in Settings pre-fills an email with app version, iOS version, device model and basic game details (no purchase or transaction details); you can see and edit this before sending, and nothing is sent automatically. We use these to investigate your issue, reply and maintain a record of the request. Please send only information needed for the issue and avoid passwords, authentication codes and full payment details. Player support is available at [email protected]; privacy requests should go to [email protected].

13. Service providers and disclosures

Our providers are: Google (Firebase Analytics, Firebase Crashlytics, AdMob and the User Messaging Platform); Apple (StoreKit, App Store Server Notifications and iCloud/CloudKit); Cloudflare (hosting the purchase-record service, our website and the app list); and our email provider for support messages. Providers process information needed for their services under their own terms. See Firebase privacy information, Google’s Privacy Policy, Apple’s Privacy Policy and Cloudflare’s Privacy Policy.

Information may also be disclosed where required by applicable law or reasonably necessary to respond to a lawful request, protect rights or security, or address abuse. We do not sell personal information.

14. Retention and deletion

Local saves remain subject to app deletion, device storage and backup behavior. Cloud Save records are managed through Apple’s iCloud services and remain subject to Apple’s data management and deletion processes.

Purchase notification records that we maintain are generally retained for up to seven years for accounting, tax, purchase support, refund investigations and applicable legal obligations. Support emails and related correspondence are generally retained for up to two years after the last relevant communication. Information may be retained longer where reasonably necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, investigate fraud or protect legal rights. We delete or securely dispose of records when they are no longer required under this retention policy.

Analytics event-level retention follows the configured Analytics settings and provider rules; aggregated reports can have different retention. Crash reports are retained according to Google’s Firebase Crashlytics documentation.

We review deletion requests in light of data we can identify and control. Backup cycles, provider procedures and legal requirements may affect deletion timing. Removing the app does not itself remove provider-held analytics, crash reports or correspondence.

15. Security and authorized access

We use the platform and provider security features available for the described services and seek to limit unnecessary information in events, reports and support exchanges.

We may allow authorized personnel and contractors to access information when reasonably necessary to operate, manage, maintain, secure and improve our apps and related services, for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy. They may only use it for those purposes and must keep it confidential. We implement reasonable measures to restrict access to authorized people and to protect information against unauthorized access, use or disclosure.

No transmission or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. Please contact the privacy address below if you believe information has been exposed or handled incorrectly.

16. International processing

Google, Apple and communication providers may process information in countries other than where you live. The applicable locations and protections depend on the service and its terms. Where data-protection law requires safeguards for an international transfer, the relevant provider arrangements and legally available mechanisms must apply. We do not claim that all information stays in your country or that DDBlue Studio holds a transfer certification. Contact us for information about the arrangements relevant to your request.

17. Your choices and requests

You can choose whether to send support information, remove the app and its local data, and use available device or platform privacy settings. You can turn Cloud Save on or off, choose whether to buy Remove Ads or watch optional rewarded ads, and, where offered, change analytics and ad consent choices in Settings. Device settings do not necessarily stop all Analytics or Crashlytics processing.

Depending on applicable law, you may request access, correction, deletion, a copy of your information, or restrictions on or objections to processing. Email [email protected] with enough context to understand your request. We may need proportionate verification, but please do not send identity documents or sensitive credentials unless a secure and necessary process has been agreed. Because there is no player-account system, we may not be able to locate a particular SDK record from your email address alone. We will explain applicable limits and respond as required by law. This policy does not promise deletion of data outside our control.

18. Children

DDBlue Home is not designed to collect children’s personal information through a registration or messaging system, and we do not knowingly solicit personal information from children under 13, or below a higher age threshold where applicable law requires it. Analytics and diagnostics can still process device and usage information; absence of registration does not mean absence of processing. If you believe a child has provided information that should not have been collected, contact us so we can investigate and take appropriate steps. DDBlue Home is a general-audience game and is not directed to children.

19. California and other U.S. state privacy rights

If a U.S. state privacy law applies to DDBlue Studio and your information, you may have rights to know or access categories and specific information, correct inaccuracies, request deletion or portability, and opt out of certain sales, targeted advertising or legally defined sharing. Certain laws also provide an appeal process, authorized-agent requests or limits on specified sensitive-information uses. Applicability depends on the law’s coverage and exceptions; this policy does not assert that every state law applies.

The categories, purposes, sources and recipients in the sections above describe the current processing. We do not sell personal information. Ads are provided by Google AdMob as described in section 10. Send applicable rights requests, agent requests or appeals to the privacy address. We will handle them under the applicable law and will not unlawfully discriminate for exercising privacy rights.

20. UK, Swiss and EEA privacy rights

Where UK, Swiss or EEA data-protection law applies, DDBlue Studio is responsible for the processing it determines, while providers may have separate responsibilities for their services.

The legal bases we rely on depend on the activity:

• Saving game progress, Cloud Save and delivering or restoring purchases: performance of a contract (providing the game and items you request).
• Crash diagnostics (Firebase Crashlytics) and keeping the game reliable and secure: our legitimate interests in operating a stable game.
• Analytics (Firebase Analytics): your consent, given through the in-app consent message. You can withdraw it at any time in Settings.
• Personalized advertising (Google AdMob): your consent, requested through Google’s consent tools where required. Where consent is not provided, the availability and type of ads shown depend on applicable law, your choices, and Google’s advertising requirements.
• Purchase notification records kept for tax and accounting: compliance with legal obligations, and our legitimate interests in handling refunds and purchase questions.
• Support requests: performance of a contract or our legitimate interests in responding to you.

Subject to applicable conditions, you may have rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability and objection, including objection to processing based on legitimate interests. Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw it without affecting earlier lawful processing. Contact us to exercise these rights or ask about the basis for a particular use. You may also complain to your local data-protection authority, including the UK Information Commissioner where relevant. These rights can have exceptions and do not guarantee access to records we cannot identify.

21. Changes to this policy

We will post updates on this page and revise the date above when practices change. Material changes will receive additional notice or consent where required by applicable law. We review this policy when we add or change services in the app.

22. Contact

For privacy questions and data requests: [email protected].

For gameplay and technical support: [email protected]. Please identify DDBlue Home and the app version, if available, so we can route your request.