Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 29, 2026

Word Ladder ("the App") is developed and operated by Standard Operations LLC ("we," "us," or "our"). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your choices.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Purchase Information: If you purchase Word Ladder Premium, Apple processes the transaction. We receive confirmation of your purchase status but do not receive your payment details, name, or Apple ID.

Information Collected Automatically

• Game Data: Your puzzle completion history, statistics (streaks, win rate, scores), and game preferences are stored locally on your device and optionally synced via iCloud to your other devices. This data is tied to your iCloud account and is not accessible to us.
• Analytics: We use PostHog to collect anonymous usage events such as puzzles started, puzzles completed, features used, and errors encountered. These events do not contain personally identifiable information. No names, email addresses, IP addresses, or device identifiers are collected by our analytics. PostHog's privacy policy is available at posthog.com/privacy.
• Advertising Data: For non-premium users, we display ads through Google AdMob. If you grant App Tracking Transparency (ATT) permission, AdMob may use your device's advertising identifier to serve personalized ads. If you deny permission, you will receive non-personalized ads. Google's privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy.
• Game Center: If you are signed into Game Center, Apple may process achievement data according to Apple's privacy policy. We do not receive your Game Center identity.
• Crash Data: Apple may collect crash reports through standard iOS mechanisms if you have opted in via your device settings. We receive anonymized crash reports through App Store Connect.

Information We Do Not Collect

• We do not collect your name, email address, phone number, or physical address.
• We do not create user accounts.
• We do not collect precise location data.
• We do not access your contacts, photos, camera, or microphone.

2. How We Use Information

• Game functionality: To save your progress, statistics, and preferences.
• iCloud sync: To synchronize your game data across your devices if you have iCloud enabled.
• Analytics: To understand how the App is used, identify bugs, and improve the experience. Analytics data is aggregated and anonymous.
• Advertising: To display ads to non-premium users and sustain free access to the App.
• Purchase verification: To confirm your premium status and unlock premium features.

3. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only with the following service providers, which process data on our behalf:

• PostHog: Anonymous analytics events.
• Google AdMob: Ad serving for non-premium users. Subject to your ATT consent choice.
• Apple: iCloud sync, Game Center, App Store purchase processing, and crash reporting, governed by Apple's privacy policy.

4. Data Storage and Security

• Game data is stored locally on your device using encrypted storage provided by iOS.
• If iCloud is enabled, game data is synced via Apple's CloudKit infrastructure, encrypted in transit and at rest by Apple.
• Analytics data is processed by PostHog on servers in the United States.
• We do not maintain our own servers or databases containing your personal information.

5. Your Choices and Rights

• Ad Tracking: You can control ad personalization through iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking, or when prompted by the App's tracking authorization dialog.
• iCloud Sync: You can disable iCloud sync for the App in iOS Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
• Analytics: Anonymous analytics can be disabled in the App's settings.
• Delete Your Data: You can delete all local game data using the "Reset Statistics" option in the App's settings. To delete iCloud data, disable iCloud sync and delete the App.
• Remove Ads: Purchase Word Ladder Premium to remove all advertising and associated ad tracking.

6. Children's Privacy

The App is rated for all ages and does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or the applicable age in your jurisdiction). The App does not require account creation and does not collect personally identifiable information from any user.

7. International Users

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or other jurisdiction with data protection laws, anonymous analytics processing is based on our legitimate interest in improving the App. Ad personalization is based on your explicit consent via the ATT prompt. You may exercise your rights under applicable law by contacting us below.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by updating the effective date at the top of this page. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.