Legal
Privacy Policy
Last updated: 20 August 2026
1. Who we are
Controller: Scorthy Games
Website: https://scorthygames.com
Contact: [email protected]
2. Scope
This Policy covers:
- The Grocer Wars mobile application (Android). Other platforms (for example iOS) if later released.
- A Grocer Wars desktop version in development. It is not yet released. Current desktop builds do not use advertising or store billing.
- The Scorthy Games website and related pages (including this privacy page)
It does not cover third-party websites or services we link to (for example CraftPix, Freesound, or itch.io), which have their own policies.
3. Information we collect
3.1 Information stored only on your device
The Game stores data locally on your device (for example via app preferences / local storage), including:
- Audio settings (music and sound effect volumes)
- Tutorial progress and tutorial-related settings
- Optional in-game display name and chosen avatar portrait (fiction / cosmetic only; stored on-device with a save)
- Whether you have purchased the optional “Remove Ads” / Premium entitlement (as recorded on-device and/or restored via the store)
- Saved game progress for an in-progress run (when you choose to save)
- On desktop builds (when available): display/window settings, UI scale, keyboard bindings, and an optional produce watchlist
This data is used to run the Game on your device. We do not operate a Scorthy Games account system, and we do not require you to create an account or provide a real-world name, email address, or phone number to play. The Game does not include Scorthy Games analytics, crash-reporting, or account SDKs of our own.
On Android, if you have device backup (for example Google Backup) enabled, the operating system may copy this on-device Game data to your store or cloud account. That backup is controlled by you and Google, not by a Scorthy Games server.
3.2 Information collected by advertising partners (AdMob / Google)
If ads are enabled, the Game uses Google AdMob. Today that includes a top banner on hub screens; rewarded ads for optional extras (for example retrying a minigame, accepting a Kind Stranger cash gift in an event, continuing a finished run, or starting a new run from the scoreboard); and interstitial ads (for example before a free-tier save, and after a completed run). Market intel and travel tips in the Game are in-game upgrades or informant features, not ads. Google and its partners may collect and process information such as:
- Advertising identifiers (for example Google Advertising ID on Android)
- IP address and approximate location derived from IP
- Device information (model, OS version, app version, language, network type)
- Ad interaction data (views, clicks, reward completion)
- Diagnostic and fraud-prevention data related to ad delivery
In the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, the Game shows Google’s in-app consent form (User Messaging Platform) before requesting ads. You can choose whether to allow personalized advertising and related purposes. In certain US states, Google may also present a privacy / “Do Not Sell or Share” style message. Ads may still be requested as non-personalized where Google allows that after you decline some or all purposes; if Google cannot serve ads under your choices, those placements will not show.
This processing is governed primarily by Google’s policies. See:
- Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
- How Google uses data from apps: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites
Players who purchase Remove Ads / Premium will no longer be shown ads in the Game (subject to store entitlement status). Ad-related collection for serving ads in the Game stops while ads are disabled.
3.3 Purchases (Google Play Billing)
Optional in-app purchases (for example Remove Ads) are processed by Google Play. We do not receive your full payment card details. Google may share with us limited purchase/entitlement information needed to unlock Premium features and restore purchases. Google’s handling of payment data is described in Google’s privacy policy and Play terms.
3.4 Website
If you visit scorthygames.com, our hosting provider (Cloudflare Pages) may record standard technical data such as IP address, browser type, pages visited, and timestamps. We do not run first-party analytics, contact forms, or newsletters on the Site.
The Site loads fonts from Google Fonts. Google may receive your IP address and technical browser data when those fonts are requested. See Google’s privacy policy.
If we later add analytics, contact forms, or newsletters, we will update this Policy and, where required, request consent.
3.5 What we do not intentionally collect
We do not intentionally collect:
- Real-world names, emails, or phone numbers through the Game (unless you email us support). An optional in-game display name stays on your device.
- Precise GPS location
- Photos, contacts, or microphone/camera content
- Payment card numbers
4. How we use information
We use information to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Game and Site
- Save settings and optional run progress on your device
- Deliver and measure ads (when ads are enabled)
- Process and restore in-app purchases
- Diagnose crashes or technical issues when reported to us
- Comply with law and protect against fraud or abuse
We do not sell your personal information.
5. Legal bases (EEA/UK users)
Where GDPR/UK GDPR applies, we rely on:
- Legitimate interests: operating the Game/Site, security, and basic diagnostics
- Contract: providing features you request (including paid Premium)
- Consent: where required for personalized advertising or non-essential cookies/trackers (including via Google’s in-app consent form, and device / store prompts where shown)
Consent for ads personalization in the Game is obtained through Google’s User Messaging Platform, using the privacy messages published for Grocer Wars in AdMob. You can change or withdraw those choices later from Settings → Manage ad privacy when Google requires that entry point, and from your device / Google ad settings. Withdrawing consent does not affect processing that already happened lawfully.
6. Sharing of information
We share information only as needed with:
- Google (AdMob advertising; Play Billing / Google Play; Google Fonts on the Site)
- Cloudflare, which hosts scorthygames.com
- Professional advisors or authorities if legally required
Third parties act as independent controllers or processors under their own terms. Review their policies for details, including Cloudflare’s privacy policy.
7. International transfers
Our partners (including Google and Cloudflare) may process data in the United States and other countries. Where required, appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) may apply under those partners’ compliance programs.
8. Data retention
- On-device Game data remains until you clear app data, uninstall the Game, or overwrite/delete a save in-game. If Android backup is enabled, a copy may remain in your Google account until you delete it there.
- Ad, purchase, and font-related data retained by Google is governed by Google’s retention practices.
- Website logs retained by Cloudflare are governed by Cloudflare’s practices.
- Support emails you send us are kept only as long as needed to handle your request and for legitimate business/legal records.
9. Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures appropriate to a small indie studio. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. Please keep your device and store account secure.
10. Children’s privacy
Grocer Wars is a trading / strategy game with competitive and thematic content and is not directed at children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, contact us and we will take reasonable steps to delete it.
Parents/guardians: use device and store parental controls as appropriate. Advertising partners may offer ads personalization controls at the device/account level.
11. Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to certain processing, and to data portability. You may also lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
Because most Game data lives on your device, you can often exercise control by:
- Clearing app storage / uninstalling
- Changing ad consent in the Game (Settings → Manage ad privacy, when shown)
- Changing device ad settings / resetting advertising ID
- Managing Google account ad personalization settings
- Restoring or removing Play purchases via Google Play
For requests to us directly, email [email protected] with “Privacy Request” in the subject. We may need enough information to verify the request.
12. Your choices
- Ads: Purchase Remove Ads / Premium in the Game (where available). Where Google requires it, use Settings → Manage ad privacy to change or withdraw consent for personalized ads. You can also use device and Google account ad controls.
- Save data: Use in-Game save/load; clear app data to remove local saves.
- Settings: Change audio (and, on desktop, display and key bindings) in Settings. Clearing app data resets local prefs, tutorial progress, and saves.
- Privacy Policy in the Game: Opened from the main menu, Settings, and Credits (this page).
- Consent prompts: Follow the in-app Google consent / privacy form where shown, plus on-device and OS settings (including Apple ATT if an iOS version is later released).
13. Third-party links and content
The Game and Site may credit or link to third parties (for example art providers). Their sites are outside our control.
14. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date will change when we do. Continued use of the Game or Site after changes means you accept the updated Policy, except where consent is required by law.
15. Contact
Questions about this Privacy Policy or Grocer Wars privacy practices:
Scorthy Games
Email:
[email protected]
Web: https://scorthygames.com