Privacy Policy

Introduction

SudokuIQ is an independent web puzzle application. We process limited data to provide gameplay, remember puzzle progress, retain game sessions, preserve local settings, and support future optional cross-device puzzle tracking.

This policy explains what information may be collected when you use SudokuIQ, how it is used, and the controls available to you.

Who We Are

SudokuIQ is operated as an independent puzzle project. For privacy questions, contact us at kodikaracs@gmail.com.

Data We Collect

Browser Storage

The application may use browser LocalStorage and SessionStorage to keep the game usable between visits. This can include:

• Current puzzle state, filled cells, notes, mistakes, and elapsed time.
• Local statistics, streaks, progress, boost counts, and achievement state.
• Theme choices, board color choices, and other local configurations.
• Challenge or shared puzzle information needed to reconstruct a board.

Anonymous Technical Data

If analytics, security, hosting, or advertising tools are enabled, they may process basic technical information such as browser type, device type, approximate region, pages visited, timestamps, IP address, cookie identifiers, or other anonymous or pseudonymous identifiers.

Cross-Device Features

Cross-device puzzle tracking is planned as an optional feature. If account-based or cloud sync features are introduced, this policy will be updated before those features are used to store identifiable account or sync data.

Why We Use Data

• To provide Sudoku gameplay and restore saved sessions.
• To remember settings, board preferences, progress, and local achievements.
• To support puzzle sharing, challenge links, and future cross-device continuity.
• To improve reliability, performance, security, and abuse prevention.
• To serve and measure advertising where ads are enabled.

Third-Party Advertisers

We utilize Google AdSense and third-party advertising frameworks to serve ads. These networks may use cookies, web beacons, IP addresses, or other identifiers to serve personalized or non-personalized ads based on your visits to this and other websites.

Third-party vendors, including Google, may use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to SudokuIQ and other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on visits to this site and/or other sites on the internet.

• You can manage Google ad personalization in Google Ads Settings.
• You can learn how Google uses data on partner sites at Google's partner sites policy page.
• You may opt out of some third-party personalized advertising through aboutads.info, where available.

User Data Control

Browser Storage

You can clear SudokuIQ's locally saved puzzle data by clearing site data for this domain in your browser settings. This may reset saved games, notes, settings, progress, and local statistics.

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → View permissions and data.
• Safari: Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data.
• Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data.

Cookies and Advertising Choices

You can block, delete, or limit cookies through your browser settings. You can also adjust personalized advertising preferences through Google Ads Settings and other ad industry opt-out tools.

Legal Bases for UK Users

Where UK GDPR applies, we rely on appropriate legal bases depending on the activity:

• Legitimate interests for basic gameplay, session retention, security, and improvement.
• Consent where required for optional cookies, personalized advertising, or similar technologies.
• Performance of a service where a requested feature needs saved game or challenge data.

US and California Privacy Notice

Depending on which features are enabled, categories of information may include identifiers, internet or network activity, approximate location derived from technical data, and gameplay preference data. We do not sell directly identifying personal information. Advertising partners may process cookies or identifiers for interest-based advertising where permitted by law and user choices.

Data Sharing

We may share limited data with service providers such as hosting, analytics, security, and advertising partners. These providers process data to help operate, protect, measure, or monetize the site.

Data Retention

LocalStorage and SessionStorage data remains in your browser until you clear it, reset site data, or the browser removes it. Server-side logs, analytics, or advertising records, where used, are retained according to the relevant provider's retention practices and our operational needs.

Children's Privacy

SudokuIQ is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

International Processing

Hosting, analytics, and advertising providers may process data in countries outside your country of residence. Where required, appropriate safeguards or provider compliance measures are used.

Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, delete, correct, restrict, or object to certain processing of personal data. You may also have the right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

UK users may raise privacy concerns with the UK Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as SudokuIQ develops. Material changes will be reflected by updating the effective date on this page.