SQWARE Games Privacy Policy

Last Updated: April 18, 2025

At SQWARE Games, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our gaming platform, website, and related services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

When you create an account or use our services, we may collect:

• Basic account details (username, email address, password)
• Profile information and gaming preferences
• Payment information for in-game purchases
• Social media information if you connect external accounts
• Profile pictures or avatars

1.2 Gameplay Data

During your gaming sessions, we collect information about:

• Game progress, achievements, and statistics
• Leaderboard data and competitive rankings
• Session data (play time, frequency, patterns)
• In-game purchases and virtual item transactions
• Game preferences and settings

1.3 Technical Data

To provide and improve our services, we collect:

• Device information and identifiers
• Operating system and browser information
• IP address and general location data
• Performance metrics and crash reports
• Connection quality and network information

1.4 Communications Data

When you use in-game communication features, we may collect:

• Voice chat recordings and transcriptions
• Text chat logs and messages
• Communications with our support team

We collect voice data primarily for moderation, safety monitoring, and feature implementation. You'll be notified when voice features are active.

1.5 Anti-Cheat Data

To maintain fair gameplay, we may collect:

• Game performance metrics
• Hardware configuration information
• Application data to detect unauthorized programs
• Input patterns and system monitoring
• Account activity patterns

This data is used exclusively for protecting the integrity of our games and ensuring fair play.

1.6 Social Interaction Data

If you use social features, we may collect:

• Friends lists and connections
• Team or guild memberships
• Player interactions and relationships
• Feedback about other players
• Community contributions and forum posts

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Service Provision and Personalization

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your game accounts
• Authenticate your identity and manage sessions
• Deliver personalized gaming experiences
• Track achievements and maintain leaderboards
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Suggest content based on your interests and activities
• Process in-game transactions and deliver purchases

2.2 Communication and Support

We use your information to:

• Respond to your inquiries and provide support
• Send service-related notifications and updates
• Facilitate player-to-player communication
• Manage tournaments and competitive events
• Collect feedback to improve our services

2.3 Platform Improvement

We analyze data to:

• Develop and enhance our games and services
• Identify and fix technical issues and bugs
• Optimize game performance and stability
• Understand player behavior and preferences
• Test new features before full release

2.4 Security and Integrity

We use data to:

• Detect and prevent cheating and fraud
• Identify and block unauthorized access
• Enforce our Terms of Service and game rules
• Moderate player behavior and content
• Ensure fair competition in ranked play
• Protect our community from harassment and abuse

2.5 Marketing

With your consent, we may use your information to:

• Send updates about new games and features
• Provide personalized offers and recommendations
• Run targeted advertising campaigns
• Administer promotional activities and rewards

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time.

2.6 Legal Compliance

We use information as required to:

• Comply with applicable laws and regulations
• Respond to legal requests from authorities
• Establish or defend legal claims
• Protect the rights and safety of users and others

3. Information Sharing

3.1 With Other Players

Some information is visible to other players as part of the gaming experience:

• Username and avatar
• Game statistics and achievements
• In-game status and activity
• Team affiliations and social connections
• Public chat messages and communications

You can often adjust what information is shared through your privacy settings.

3.2 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third parties who provide services on our behalf:

• Game hosting and server infrastructure providers
• Payment processors for purchases
• Customer support platforms
• Analytics and performance monitoring services
• Anti-cheat and security services
• Marketing and communication providers

These providers are bound by confidentiality obligations and may only use information as instructed by us.

3.3 Business Partners

We may share limited information with:

• Other SQWARE products and services for integrated experiences
• Tournament organizers and sponsors (with your consent)
• Marketing partners for co-branded promotions

3.4 Business Transfers

If SQWARE Games undergoes a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email or platform notice of any change in ownership or use of your information.

3.5 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with laws, regulations, or legal processes
• Enforce our Terms of Service and agreements
• Protect against fraud or illegal activity
• Safeguard the rights, property, or safety of our users, ourselves, or others
• Respond to emergency situations

3.6 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you give us explicit consent to do so.

4. Data Security and Retention

4.1 Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption of sensitive data
• Access controls and authentication systems
• Regular security assessments
• Monitoring for suspicious activities
• Staff training on data protection

While we take reasonable precautions, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

4.2 Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. Retention periods vary based on:

• The type of information
• The purpose for which it was collected
• Legal requirements and obligations
• Active disputes or investigations

Typical retention periods include:

• Account information: Duration of your account plus a reasonable period thereafter
• Game data: While your account is active
• Communications: 30-90 days (longer if flagged for violations)
• Transaction records: Per tax and accounting requirements (typically 7 years)
• Usage data: In anonymized form for up to 3 years

When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.

4.3 Data Handling for Rule Violations

For accounts with serious rule violations, we may retain certain information longer to:

• Prevent creation of new accounts to bypass enforcement
• Protect our community from repeated violations
• Process appeals and review enforcement decisions
• Maintain records for legal purposes

5. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

5.1 Account Controls

You can access and update certain information through your account settings, including:

• Profile information and avatar
• Privacy and visibility settings
• Friend connections and social preferences
• Communication and notification settings
• Display name and other public information

5.2 Communication Preferences

You can control communications by:

• Adjusting notification settings in your account
• Using unsubscribe links in marketing emails
• Configuring in-game chat settings
• Contacting our support team for assistance

Note that even if you opt out of marketing, you will still receive essential service notifications.

5.3 Privacy Controls

We offer various controls to manage your privacy:

• Cookie preferences and tracking settings
• Data sharing options for social features
• Controls for who can see your activity or contact you
• Voice chat participation options

5.4 Your Legal Rights

Depending on your location, you may have legal rights regarding your personal information, including:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correction: Update inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Restriction: Limit how we process your information
• Objection: Object to certain processing activities
• Portability: Receive your information in a usable format
• Withdraw Consent: Revoke previously given consent

To exercise these rights, contact us using the information in the "Contact Us" section. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable laws.

5.5 Limitations

In some cases, we may not be able to fully fulfill your rights request if:

• We cannot verify your identity
• The request conflicts with our legal obligations
• The request would compromise others' privacy or rights
• The request is excessive or unfounded
• The information is necessary for security or fraud prevention

We will explain our reasoning if we cannot fully satisfy your request.

6. Children's Privacy

6.1 Age Restrictions

Our services are not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 13, we will promptly delete it.

6.2 Protections for Young Users

For users between 13 and 18 years old, we implement additional safeguards:

• More restrictive default privacy settings
• Limited communication features
• Reduced visibility in public areas
• Additional verification for certain actions
• Enhanced content moderation

Parents and guardians can contact us to discuss specific concerns regarding their child's account.

6.3 Parental Guidance

We encourage parents and guardians to:

• Monitor their children's online activities
• Discuss online safety with their children
• Review privacy settings together
• Utilize available parental controls
• Contact us with any questions or concerns

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

7.1 Types of Cookies We Use

We use various cookies and similar technologies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic functionality and security
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand platform usage
• Marketing Cookies: Support relevant advertising
• Social Media Cookies: Enable sharing and social features

7.2 Analytics and Performance

We use analytics tools to gather information about:

• How you interact with our games and features
• Technical performance and reliability
• Error reports and crash data
• Feature usage patterns
• User journeys and conversion paths

This data helps us optimize gameplay, fix issues, and improve user experience.

7.3 Cookie Management

You can control cookies through browser settings and preference centers. Most browsers allow you to:

• Block or delete cookies
• Accept or reject cookies from specific sites
• Set notification preferences for new cookies
• Use private browsing modes to limit tracking

Note that blocking essential cookies may impact core platform functionality.

8. International Data Transfers

We operate globally and may transfer your information across borders. When we transfer data to countries with different privacy laws, we implement appropriate safeguards:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by regulators
• Comprehensive data processing agreements
• Binding corporate rules for internal transfers
• Compliance with cross-border transfer frameworks
• Security measures for data in transit and at rest

By using our services, you acknowledge that your information may be transferred to and processed in various jurisdictions.

9. Legal Basis for Processing (EU/EEA Users)

For users in the European Union or European Economic Area, we process personal information based on one or more legal grounds:

• Contract Performance: Processing necessary to provide our gaming services
• Legitimate Interests: Processing that serves our valid business purposes while respecting your rights
• Consent: Processing based on your specific permission
• Legal Obligation: Processing required by law
• Vital Interests: Processing to protect life or safety (rare cases)

You can request information about the specific legal basis for particular processing activities by contacting us.

10. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. When we make material changes:

• We will post the revised policy with an updated effective date
• We will notify you through the platform or by email
• We will seek new consent when legally required

Your continued use after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this policy regularly.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

SQWARE Games
Email: [email protected]

For data protection inquiries:

Data Protection Officer
Email: [email protected]

We will respond to legitimate inquiries promptly and in accordance with applicable laws.

11.1 Complaints

If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concerns, you may have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. We encourage you to contact us first so we can address your concerns directly.

11.2 Response Time

We aim to respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days. For complex requests or when you have submitted multiple requests, our response may take longer. In such cases, we will notify you of the delay and keep you informed of our progress.