Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Gustball ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, stores, and shares information when you use the Gustball game, website, and related online services.

By using Gustball, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use Gustball or its services.

1. Information We Collect

Account Information

When you create a Gustball account, we collect:

• Email address
• Username
• Password, stored securely through our authentication provider
• Account verification status

Users are not required to verify their email address to browse or download community content. Email verification is required before publishing content, uploading avatars, or accessing certain community features.

Profile Information

Users may provide:

• Username
• Avatar image
• Time zone

Community Content

We collect and store content you choose to create or publish, including:

• Custom levels
• Level titles and descriptions
• Comments
• Likes and favorites
• Reports submitted against content or users

Direct Messages

Gustball allows users to send direct messages to other users. Messages may be stored for up to one (1) year for service operation, abuse prevention, moderation, and user support purposes.

Support Communications

If you contact us, we may collect your email address, message contents, and related account information needed to assist you.

Device and Technical Information

To operate the service, we may collect limited technical information such as IP address, device type, operating system, application version, authentication data, and security information.

2. How We Use Information

We use collected information to:

• Create and manage accounts
• Authenticate users
• Verify email addresses
• Operate community features
• Store and display user-created content
• Deliver direct messages
• Respond to support requests
• Enforce our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines
• Detect abuse, fraud, cheating, or unauthorized access
• Comply with legal obligations

3. Community Features

Information that you intentionally publish may be visible to other users, including usernames, avatar images, published levels, comments, likes, and favorites.

Please avoid sharing personal information through community content.

4. User-Generated Content

You are responsible for any content you publish through Gustball. Published content may be reviewed, moderated, reported, or removed when necessary to enforce our Terms of Service or Community Guidelines.

5. Account Verification

Email verification helps us reduce spam, abuse, and fraudulent activity. Certain community features, including publishing content and uploading custom avatars, require a verified email address.

6. Newsletters and Community Updates

Users may choose to opt in to receive community updates, product announcements, and development news. Users may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe mechanism provided in the email or by contacting us.

7. Analytics and Crash Reporting

Gustball does not currently use third-party analytics or crash-reporting services. If analytics, crash reporting, or similar services are added in the future, this Privacy Policy will be updated accordingly.

8. Advertising

Gustball does not display third-party advertising. We do not sell personal information to advertisers.

9. Purchases

Gustball may be distributed through third-party storefronts including Steam, Google Play, and the Apple App Store. Purchase transactions are processed by the applicable platform and are subject to that platform's privacy policies and terms. We generally do not receive payment card information from users.

10. Avatar Storage

Custom avatar images are stored using Supabase Storage. Users may replace or remove uploaded avatars at any time. Replaced avatars are removed from active use and may be deleted from storage according to our retention practices.

11. Reporting and Moderation

Users may report levels, comments, and user profiles.

Reports may contain:

• Reporter identity
• Report reason
• Moderator notes
• Enforcement records

We use this information to investigate abuse, enforce community standards, and maintain the safety of the Gustball community.

12. Data Retention

We retain information only as long as reasonably necessary to operate Gustball and comply with legal obligations.

• Account information is retained while the account remains active.
• Direct messages may be retained for up to one year.
• Moderation records may be retained as reasonably necessary for enforcement and abuse prevention.
• Support communications may be retained as reasonably necessary to provide assistance.

13. Account Deletion

Users may request deletion of their account. When an account is deleted:

• Personal account information will be removed or anonymized where reasonably practical.
• Uploaded avatars may be deleted.
• Direct messages may be removed according to operational requirements.
• Published levels and community contributions may remain available to preserve community functionality.

If community content remains available after account deletion, the original username may be replaced with "Deleted User" or a similar anonymous identifier.

14. International Users

Gustball is available worldwide. By using Gustball, you understand that your information may be stored and processed in countries where our service providers operate.

15. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including accessing your information, correcting inaccurate information, requesting deletion, objecting to certain processing activities, or withdrawing consent where applicable.

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected].

16. Children's Privacy

Gustball is intended for players of all ages. Parents or guardians who believe a child has provided personal information inappropriately may contact us, and we will review and address the request as appropriate.

17. Security

We take reasonable measures to protect user information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. However, no method of storage or transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When changes are made, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this document. Continued use of Gustball after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

19. Contact Us

Questions about this Privacy Policy may be directed to: [email protected].