Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 17, 2026

BirdBrainz (“the App”) is developed by Shark River Studios LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”).
We are committed to respecting your privacy and collecting as little data as possible.

This Privacy Policy explains what information is handled when you use the App.

1. Overview

BirdBrainz is designed to be privacy-respecting by default.

• Your puzzle progress and preferences live primarily on your device.
• We do not operate user accounts. There is nothing to sign up for.
• We do not collect names, email addresses, or contact information.
• We do not collect precise location data.
• We do not track you across apps or websites.

We do use a privacy-focused analytics service to understand basic app usage patterns — how many people finish a puzzle, where they ask for hints, when they give up — all in an anonymous, aggregated way.

2. Anonymous Analytics (TelemetryDeck)

BirdBrainz uses TelemetryDeck, a privacy-first analytics service.

TelemetryDeck is designed to collect anonymous, aggregated usage information without building user profiles or tracking individuals.

TelemetryDeck uses anonymized identifiers designed to measure overall app usage without identifying individual people.

What may be collected

TelemetryDeck may collect limited technical and usage information such as:

• App version
• Device model (general category, not a unique identifier)
• Operating system version
• Country (derived from IP, not stored as exact IP)
• Basic app events (e.g., puzzle started, puzzle completed, puzzle given up on, hint requested, onboarding progress, error occurred, interstitial shown, bird placement made)
• The puzzle identifier, chosen difficulty tier, and outcome of a session (e.g., completed, given up on)

BirdBrainz does not collect any free-form text from you. The game involves placing birds on a grid; there is nothing you type or speak that is transmitted anywhere.

Analytics events are sent without account information or direct personal identifiers, and we do not use analytics data to identify individual users or devices.

What is NOT collected

TelemetryDeck does not collect:

• Names
• Email addresses
• Exact location
• Advertising identifiers (IDFA)
• Cross-app tracking data
• Behavioral advertising profiles
• Personally identifiable information intentionally provided by users

We do not store IP addresses ourselves. TelemetryDeck is designed to minimize retention of identifying network information.

Why we use analytics

We use anonymous analytics to:

• Understand which features are used most
• Identify puzzles or difficulty tiers that players commonly give up on
• See where the hint system provides the most value
• Improve app performance and stability
• Make design decisions based on real usage patterns

Analytics are used strictly to improve the app experience.

3. Ads

BirdBrainz shows (or will show) advertisements to support ongoing development. Ads may appear between puzzles, at natural break points, or in place of certain interstitials.

The specific ad network has not yet been finalized. When it is, this policy will be updated to document:

• The ad network in use
• What data the ad SDK collects
• Whether the app requires an App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompt
• Any settings available to reduce ad personalization

Where possible, we intend to choose ad networks that respect user privacy and minimize cross-app tracking.

4. In-App Purchases

BirdBrainz is free to play. Every puzzle in the catalog is available without payment.

The App may also offer optional paid features. Under consideration:

• Hint packs (a small one-time fee for a bundle of hints)
• Ad removal (a one-time fee to remove ads from the app)

Available purchase options may change over time, and specific pricing will be shown in the App Store at the point of purchase.

All purchases are handled entirely by Apple through the App Store.

We do not have access to:

• Your payment information
• Your Apple ID
• Your billing history

Apple processes purchase data according to Apple’s own Privacy Policy.

5. Data Storage

Puzzle progress, preferences, and related app data are stored primarily on your device.

We do not operate user accounts.
We do not maintain user databases.
We do not sell or share personal information.

Unless restored through Apple-provided backup or device transfer mechanisms, uninstalling the App or switching devices may reset locally stored progress.

6. Children’s Privacy

BirdBrainz is not directed to children under 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

7. Data Security

TelemetryDeck is designed with privacy and data minimization as core principles.
All analytics data is transmitted securely.

Because we do not collect directly identifying personal information, the privacy risk profile of the App is intentionally minimal.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have additional privacy rights under applicable law.

9. Changes to This Policy

If this Privacy Policy changes, the updated version will be posted within the App and/or on the associated website with a revised effective date.

10. Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, you may contact:

Shark River Studios LLC
support@sharkriverstudios.com