In short: Common Ground does not require an account. Gameplay data is stored primarily on your device. The app uses Google Mobile Ads for limited interstitial and optional rewarded ads, requests non-personalized ads, and uses Google’s User Messaging Platform (UMP) where applicable.
1. Who this policy covers
This Privacy Policy applies to the Common Ground mobile application and the website at playcommonground.app (together, the “Services”). “Common Ground,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Alexander Bill, the individual developer of the Services.
2. Information handled by the Services
Information stored locally on your device
The app may save game progress, completed puzzles, scores, streaks, statistics, preferences, consent-related state, and similar gameplay settings on your device. This information supports the app’s core features and does not require you to create an account. Because this data is stored locally, deleting the app, clearing its data, or changing devices may remove it.
Common Ground’s core gameplay does not ask you to provide a name, phone number, contacts, photos, health information, or financial information.
Analytics and diagnostic information
The app includes infrastructure that may record or route limited product and diagnostic events, such as app launches, feature interactions, puzzle starts and completions, ad-related events, app version information, and crash or performance information. This infrastructure is intended to help maintain reliability and understand how features perform.
An analytics abstraction does not by itself establish that an external analytics provider is active. If a third-party analytics or diagnostics provider is enabled in a released version, that provider’s handling of information is also governed by its own terms and privacy policy, and this policy should be updated if the change is material.
Advertising information
The app uses Google Mobile Ads to display limited interstitial ads at result moments and optional rewarded ads for certain Practice and Last Link features. The app is configured to request non-personalized ads. Google and its advertising partners may still process information such as IP address, general location inferred from IP address, ad interactions and impressions, diagnostics, and device or usage information to deliver contextual ads, limit frequency, measure performance, and prevent fraud.
The current app configuration is not intended to request App Tracking Transparency authorization or use Apple’s advertising identifier (IDFA) to track users across other companies’ apps or websites. Platform behavior and third-party processing remain subject to Apple and Google requirements and policies.
Website information
The current website is a static informational site and does not include first-party analytics, advertising scripts, account sign-in, or contact forms. As with most websites, the hosting provider may process ordinary request information such as IP address, browser or device type, requested pages, and timestamps for delivery, security, and server operations.
| Category | Why it may be handled | Where it is handled |
|---|---|---|
| Game progress and preferences | Save state, settings, and continuity of play | Locally on your device |
| Usage and diagnostic events | Understand features, fix problems, and improve performance | Through the app’s analytics layer and any configured provider |
| Advertising and device information | Serve, measure, limit, and protect ads; grant eligible rewarded-ad benefits | Google Mobile Ads and advertising partners |
| Consent and privacy choices | Present and remember choices where required or available | The app, your device, and Google UMP |
| Support messages | Respond to questions, feedback, and bug reports | Our support communication systems |
3. Consent and advertising choices
Common Ground uses Google’s User Messaging Platform (UMP) to request, record, and communicate consent or privacy choices where applicable. The message and options you see may vary based on region, eligibility, device settings, and Google’s requirements. Where an in-app privacy-options control is available, you may use it to revisit available choices.
Common Ground requests non-personalized ads. Privacy choices do not necessarily stop all ads or all processing; information may still be used to deliver contextual ads, prevent fraud, limit ad frequency, measure performance, or comply with law.
4. How information is used
Information handled through the Services may be used to:
- Provide daily puzzles and preserve app state and preferences
- Operate interstitial and rewarded advertising
- Understand how features perform and are used
- Identify, diagnose, and correct technical problems
- Respond to support requests and feedback
- Protect the Services and comply with applicable obligations
5. Sharing and service providers
We may allow service providers to handle information on our behalf when needed to operate the Services. This currently includes Google in connection with Mobile Ads and UMP, and may include a configured analytics or diagnostic provider. Those providers may process information under their own privacy policies and legal terms.
We may also disclose information if reasonably necessary to comply with law, respond to valid legal process, protect rights or safety, investigate abuse, or complete a business transaction such as a merger or asset transfer, subject to applicable requirements.
6. Sale of personal information
The developer does not sell personal information. Some privacy laws define “sale,” “sharing,” or “targeted advertising” broadly. Common Ground is configured to request non-personalized ads, while Google and its partners may still process limited information for contextual advertising, measurement, frequency control, security, and fraud prevention. Where required, UMP or device controls may provide relevant choices.
7. Data retention
Locally stored game data generally remains on your device until the app removes it, you clear the app’s data, or you uninstall the app. Retention of advertising, analytics, consent, and diagnostic information handled by third parties is controlled by those providers and may vary by data type, configuration, and legal requirements. Support messages may be retained as reasonably needed to respond, keep appropriate records, improve support, and meet applicable obligations.
8. Data security
We use reasonable measures appropriate to the nature of the Services to protect information under our control. No storage or transmission method is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Your choices and requests
Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding personal information, subject to exceptions and verification requirements. You can contact us to ask a privacy question or make a request. Because Common Ground does not require an account and local game state is stored on your device, we may not be able to identify or retrieve local data or data held by another provider from an email address alone.
You can remove local app data using your device’s controls or by uninstalling the app. You may also use available in-app, UMP, or device settings to review advertising and privacy choices.
10. Children’s privacy
The Services are intended for a general audience. We do not knowingly request that users submit children’s personal information through the app. Advertising providers may apply age-related or regional protections based on app configuration, user eligibility, consent signals, and applicable requirements. If you believe a child has provided personal information directly to us through support, contact us so we can review the request.
11. Third-party policies
For more information about Google’s handling of data in advertising products, see Google’s Privacy Policy and How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services.
12. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the Services, providers, or legal requirements change. The “Last updated” date will show when the policy was most recently revised. Material changes may also be communicated in the app or through another appropriate method.
13. Contact
For privacy questions or requests, use the contact method on the Common Ground Support page.