Privacy Policy

What Data We Collect

When you use Hangeru, we may collect the following information:

• Account information: First name and email address (only if you choose to sign in for the leaderboard)
• Game data: Scores, completion times, words used, and puzzle dates
• Event analytics: Gameplay actions such as letter entries, navigations, and session activity (only with your consent)
• Marketing preferences: Whether you opted in to receive updates about new features, games, and tournaments
• Session identifiers: Randomly generated session IDs to group activity within a visit

Why We Collect It

• Leaderboards: To display your name and scores on the community leaderboard
• Game progress: To save your scores and track completed puzzles across sessions
• Improving the game: Anonymous analytics help us understand how the game is played so we can make it better

How Data Is Stored

Your data is stored in a PostgreSQL database hosted on DigitalOcean. All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted in transit via SSL/TLS (HTTPS).

Cookies & Local Storage

Hangeru uses browser local storage (similar to cookies) for two purposes:

• Essential (always active): Game state, scores, completed dates, sign-in info, and consent preferences. These are required for the game to function.
• Optional (requires consent): Analytics event tracking to help us understand gameplay patterns. You can decline this without affecting gameplay.

Data Retention

Game completion data and leaderboard entries are kept indefinitely so that leaderboard rankings remain accurate. You may request deletion of your data at any time (see below).

Third Parties

We do not share, sell, or provide your personal data to any third parties. Your data is used exclusively for operating the Hangeru game.

Your Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area, you have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
• Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format

Your Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights:

• Right to Know: Request what personal information we have collected about you
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale: We do not sell personal information, so this right does not apply

User-Generated Content

When you create custom puzzles or other content through Hangeru, you grant Hangeru a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, and display that content in any medium.

• Hangeru may feature, share, or redistribute user-created puzzles at its discretion
• You retain ownership of your content, but the license granted above is irrevocable once the content is submitted
• Hangeru is not liable for user-generated content — you are solely responsible for the content you create

Content Standards & Enforcement

• You agree not to create content that is obscene, offensive, defamatory, hateful, or otherwise objectionable
• Hangeru reserves the right to remove any user-generated content at its sole discretion, without notice
• Violations of content standards may result in suspension or permanent ban of your account
• Hangeru is not obligated to monitor user-generated content but may do so at any time

Email Communications

We use your email address to send verification codes when you sign in. If you opt in to marketing communications, we may send occasional emails about new Hangeru features, games, and tournaments. You can opt out at any time by contacting privacy@hangeru.co.

Assignment & Change of Ownership

Hangeru is operated by FriendPod, Inc. In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or similar transaction, your personal data and this agreement may be transferred to the acquiring entity or successor. The acquiring party will be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy with respect to any data collected prior to the transfer. We will notify you via email or a prominent notice within the app before your data is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

Terms of Service

By using Hangeru, you agree to the following terms:

• License to use: FriendPod, Inc. grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use Hangeru for personal, non-commercial purposes
• Intellectual property: Hangeru, including its name, logo, game mechanics, code, and visual design, is the intellectual property of FriendPod, Inc. All rights reserved
• Acceptable use: You agree not to reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract the source code of Hangeru; use automated systems or bots to interact with the game; or interfere with the operation of the service
• Assignment: FriendPod, Inc. may assign, transfer, or delegate its rights and obligations under these terms to any third party without prior notice or consent. You may not assign your rights under these terms
• Termination: We may suspend or terminate your access to Hangeru at any time, for any reason, without notice
• Disclaimer: Hangeru is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. FriendPod, Inc. is not liable for any damages arising from your use of the service
• Governing law: These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Iowa, without regard to conflict of law provisions
• Modifications: We may update these terms at any time. Continued use of Hangeru after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms

Contact & Data Requests

To exercise any of your data rights, or if you have questions about this privacy policy, please contact us at:

Email: privacy@hangeru.co