1. Who we are
This Privacy Policy describes how Yohann Taieb (“we,” “us,” or “the operator”) handles information in connection with the WordSearch Winners application, also referred to as WordSearch International (the “App”).
The App is an open-source word-search game. Source code and project discussion are available through the public GitHub project for WordSearch International.
2. What this policy covers
This policy applies to the App and to related online features we operate for it, including optional accounts, scores, leaderboards, and multiplayer. It does not apply to third-party websites or services that we do not control, such as GitHub if you choose to contact us there.
3. Information we collect
We collect only what is needed to provide the App and the features you choose to use.
3.1 Play without an account
You can use the App without creating an account. Local gameplay, settings, and progress may be stored on your device. We do not require your name, email address, or other contact details to play locally.
3.2 Optional account
If you create an account, we may collect:
- Account credentials, such as a username, email address, and password (stored in hashed form by the account system).
- Profile information you choose to provide (for example, a display name).
3.3 Scores, leaderboards, challenges, and multiplayer
If you use online scores, leaderboards, challenges, achievements, or multiplayer, we may collect and store:
- Game results, scores, rankings, challenge or achievement progress, and related gameplay statistics.
- Multiplayer session data needed to run or resume a match (for example, room or game identifiers, moves, and outcomes).
- Your account identifier or display name so results can be associated with you on a leaderboard or in a match.
These online features are provided through a self-hosted PocketBase backend operated for the App. PocketBase is the software used to store and serve this data; it is not an advertising network.
3.4 Technical data for operating the service
When the App talks to the backend, hosting infrastructure may receive basic request data such as an IP address, user-agent, and timestamp. We use this to operate, secure, and diagnose the service—not for advertising.
3.5 Contact and support
If you contact us, we receive the information you include in that message (for example, a GitHub username and the text of an issue). GitHub processes that information under its own terms and privacy policy.
3.6 Information we do not collect for advertising
The App does not include ads and does not use advertising SDKs to track you across other companies’ apps or websites for advertising.
4. How we use information
We use the information described above to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the App.
- Create and manage optional accounts.
- Provide scores, leaderboards, challenges, achievements, and multiplayer.
- Respond to questions, issues, and requests.
- Protect the security and integrity of the service (for example, preventing abuse of accounts or leaderboards).
- Comply with law where applicable.
We do not sell your personal data. We do not share personal data with third parties for their own marketing.
5. How we share information
We share information only in these limited cases:
- Public or other-player features you use. Display names, scores, and leaderboard standings may be visible to other players. Multiplayer data is shared as needed to run a match.
- Service operation. Data for optional accounts, scores, leaderboards, and multiplayer is stored on our self-hosted PocketBase server. We do not send this gameplay data to advertising companies.
- Legal and safety reasons. We may disclose information if required by law, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect users, the App, or others.
- Business transfer. If the App’s operation is transferred (for example, as part of a project handoff), information may move with it, still subject to this policy or a successor notice.
The App is open source. Publishing source code does not mean we publish your personal account or gameplay records.
6. Retention
We keep account and online gameplay data for as long as your account remains active and as needed to provide leaderboards, multiplayer, and related features. Local data remains on your device until you delete the App or clear it yourself.
If you ask us to delete an account, we will delete or de-identify associated personal data unless we must retain a limited record (for example, to resolve a dispute or comply with law).
7. Security
We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect personal data, including hashed passwords for accounts and access controls on the self-hosted backend. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Children’s privacy
The App is a word-search puzzle game and is not directed to children under 13. Local play does not require an account. If you create an account or use online features, you must be old enough to do so under the laws of your country, or you must have a parent or guardian’s consent where that is required.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your region) without required parental consent. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, please contact us so we can delete it.
Do not put sensitive personal information in public usernames, scores, leaderboard entries, or public GitHub issues.
9. Your choices and rights
You may:
- Use the App without creating an account.
- Decline optional online features (scores, leaderboards, multiplayer).
- Update or delete account information through available App or account controls, or by contacting us.
- Uninstall the App to remove local data stored on your device.
Depending on where you live, you may also have rights to access, correct, delete, or export personal data, or to object to or restrict certain processing. To make a request, contact us using the details below. We will not discriminate against you for exercising privacy rights. We do not sell personal information as that term is commonly used in U.S. state privacy laws (including the “Do Not Sell” rights under the CCPA/CPRA).
10. International processing
The self-hosted PocketBase server and the operator may be located in a country different from yours. If you use optional online features, your information may be processed in those locations.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The effective date at the top of this page will change when we do. Continued use of the App after an update means you should review the revised policy. If changes are material, we will provide a more prominent notice where reasonable (for example, in the App or on this page).
12. Contact
For privacy questions, account deletion requests, or other privacy-related concerns, contact:
Yohann Taieb
Support page: https://yohann305.github.io/app-legal/wordsearch-winners/support.html
GitHub Issues: https://github.com/yohann305/app-legal/issues
Please do not include passwords or other sensitive credentials in a public issue. If your request involves personal data, say so in the issue and we will follow up in a more private way where possible.