Privacy Policy
Last updated: February 2, 2026
Your Privacy Depends on Your Plan
| Your Plan | Ads | Tracking | Data Sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad-Supported (Free) | Yes | Yes, by ad partners | Some data shared with Google AdMob |
| Explorer or Historian (Paid) | None | None | Your data stays on your device |
Subscribe to remove ads AND remove tracking. Paid subscribers enjoy a completely private experience.
1. Information We Collect
What We Collect Directly
| Data Type | When Collected | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Bug reports | If you submit one | Fix issues |
| Device info | With bug reports | Technical context |
| Email address | If you contact support | Respond to you |
What We Do NOT Collect
- Your name (unless you tell us)
- Your precise location
- Your contacts, photos, or files
- Your payment information (Apple handles this)
- Your browsing history outside the App
2. Information Stored Locally
The following stays on your device only and is never sent to us:
- Player name (display in game)
- Game scores and history
- Saved timelines and game history
- App preferences
- Subscription status (synced with Apple, not our servers)
To delete this data: Uninstall the App or reset it in iOS Settings.
3. Advertising and Tracking (Ad-Supported Only)
This section applies ONLY if you use the free, ad-supported version.
If you subscribe to Explorer or Historian, skip this section — we disable all advertising and no ad-related data collection occurs.
What Ads You'll See
| Ad Type | When | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Interstitial (full-screen) | Between games | Max 1 per game session |
| Rewarded video | Your choice | When you opt in |
Our Advertising Partner
We use Google AdMob to show advertisements. When you use the ad-supported version, AdMob may collect:
- Advertising ID (IDFA): To personalize ads (you decide via iOS prompt)
- IP address: For approximate location
- Device info: To serve compatible ads
- Ad interaction data: To measure ad performance
For details, see Google's Privacy Policy.
App Tracking Transparency (ATT)
Before any personalized tracking, iOS will ask your permission:
- "Allow" = Personalized ads based on your activity across apps
- "Ask App Not to Track" = Non-personalized (contextual) ads only
Either way, you still see ads on the free tier. The difference is whether ads are personalized.
Change this anytime: iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking
How to Stop All Ad Tracking
| Method | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Subscribe to Explorer or Historian | All ads disabled, all ad tracking stops |
| Deny ATT permission | Ads continue but are not personalized |
| Limit Ad Tracking (iOS) | Reduces personalized ads system-wide |
Subscribing is the only way to eliminate ads entirely.
4. Subscriptions and Payments
What We Offer
| Tier | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-Supported | Free (with ads) | 8 categories at launch, new categories via monthly cascade |
| Explorer | Monthly sub, Annual sub, or Lifetime purchase | All 12 categories, ad-free, new categories on release day |
| Historian | Monthly sub, Annual sub, or Lifetime purchase | All 12 categories, ad-free, plus expansion packs, History Pinpoint game mode, and expansion voting |
How Payments Work
- All payments are processed by Apple through the App Store
- We never see your credit card, Apple Pay, or payment details
- Subscriptions auto-renew unless you cancel
- Manage subscriptions: iOS Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions
What Subscription Data We Receive
| What Apple Tells Us | What Apple Does NOT Tell Us |
|---|---|
| Whether you have an active subscription | Your payment method |
| Which tier (Explorer or Historian) | Your billing address |
| When it expires or renews | Your Apple ID email |
5. How We Use Your Information
| Purpose | Ad-Supported | Subscribers |
|---|---|---|
| Provide the App | Yes | Yes |
| Save your progress locally | Yes | Yes |
| Respond to support requests | If you contact us | If you contact us |
| Show advertisements | Yes | No |
| Share data with ad networks | Yes | No |
| Track for ad targeting | With your ATT consent | No |
7. Your Privacy Choices
The Simplest Choice: Subscribe
Subscribing to Explorer or Historian:
- Removes all advertisements
- Stops all ad-related data collection
- Prevents any data sharing with Google AdMob
- Gives you a completely private experience
Other Privacy Controls
| What You Want | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| Stop personalized ads | Deny ATT permission when prompted |
| Delete local game data | Uninstall App or reset in iOS Settings |
| Delete bug report data | Email privacy@sortinghistory.com |
| Manage subscription | iOS Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions |
8. Local Network Usage (Multiplayer)
The App includes optional local multiplayer that uses your Wi-Fi network.
| What It Does | What It Doesn't Do |
|---|---|
| Discovers nearby devices running the App | Send data over the internet |
| Shares game state between devices | Connect to our servers |
| Works without internet | Track your location |
iOS will ask for "Local Network" permission. This is optional and only affects multiplayer.
9. Data Retention
| Data Type | How Long We Keep It |
|---|---|
| Bug reports | 2 years, then deleted |
| Support emails | 2 years after last contact |
| Local game data | Until you delete the App |
| Subscription status | Managed by Apple |
| AdMob data | Per Google's retention policies |
10. Children's Privacy
Sorting History is suitable for all ages, including families with children.
For children under 13:
- We do not knowingly collect personal information from children
- We recommend parents subscribe to Explorer or Historian to provide an ad-free, tracking-free experience
- The ad-supported tier shows contextual ads (not targeted to children specifically)
If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, contact us at privacy@sortinghistory.com and we will delete it.
11. Your Rights (GDPR)
If you're in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland:
| Your Right | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Access | Get a copy of your data |
| Rectification | Correct inaccurate data |
| Erasure | Delete your data |
| Restriction | Limit how we use your data |
| Portability | Get your data in a portable format |
| Object | Object to processing (including ads) |
| Withdraw Consent | Change your ATT choice anytime |
To exercise these rights: Email privacy@sortinghistory.com
Legal Basis for Processing:
- Consent: Ad tracking (withdraw via ATT settings)
- Contract: Providing the App and subscriptions
- Legitimate Interest: Improving the App, responding to support
12. California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)
If you're a California resident:
Your Rights
- Know: What personal information we collect and why
- Delete: Request deletion of your information
- Correct: Request correction of inaccurate information
- Opt-Out of "Sale/Sharing": Stop data sharing for targeted ads
- Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of your choices
Do We "Sell" or "Share" Your Information?
| Your Plan | "Sale" or "Sharing"? |
|---|---|
| Ad-Supported | Yes — data shared with Google AdMob for ads |
| Explorer or Historian | No — we don't share subscriber data with ad networks |
How to Opt Out
- Subscribe to Explorer or Historian (stops all ad data sharing)
- Deny ATT permission (limits personalized ad sharing)
- Email privacy@sortinghistory.com with subject "CCPA Opt-Out"
13. Contact Us
For privacy questions or to exercise your rights:
Email: privacy@sortinghistory.com
General support:
Email: privacy@sortinghistory.com
Website: sortinghistory.com
Quick Reference: Ad-Supported vs. Subscriber Privacy
| Aspect | Ad-Supported (Free) | Subscriber (Paid) |
|---|---|---|
| See advertisements | Yes | No |
| Ad tracking (with ATT consent) | Yes | No |
| Data shared with Google AdMob | Yes | No |
| IDFA collected | With ATT consent | No |
| Local game data | Stays on device | Stays on device |
| Privacy level | Standard | Enhanced |
Want complete privacy? Subscribe to Explorer or Historian.