Your privacy matters. This Privacy Policy explains what information Dropping Birds collects, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data. Dropping Birds is built and operated by Tech Artists ("we," "us," or "our"). This policy applies to the Dropping Birds mobile application and the droppingbirds.app website.
The TL;DR 🪺
- We don't ask for your name, email, or account. Dropping Birds works without any sign-up.
- Game progress is stored on your device. We don't have a cloud database with your data.
- Apple handles purchases. We never see your payment info.
- We may use anonymous crash reports and analytics to fix bugs and improve the game.
- Rewarded ads are always opt-in. You choose when to watch one — they never interrupt a run.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
Dropping Birds does not require you to create an account, and we do not ask you to submit personal information to play. The only situations where you may directly provide information are:
- Email signup on our website — if you enter your email at droppingbirds.app to receive product updates, we'll store that email address solely to send you updates about Dropping Birds. You can unsubscribe at any time.
- Support requests — if you email us, we'll have whatever you send us (your email address and your message).
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you use Dropping Birds, we (or services acting on our behalf) may automatically collect:
| Category | What it is | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Device data | Device model, iOS version, language, region | Make sure the game runs correctly on your device |
| Crash reports | Anonymous logs of crashes and errors | Find and fix bugs |
| Gameplay analytics | Anonymous events (e.g., runs played, cascades triggered, mode chosen, session length) | Improve game balance and design |
| Local game state | Your high score, last mode selected, and "Remove Ads" purchase flag — stored locally on your device via the game's own save file | Persist your best score across runs and remember your Remove Ads purchase |
| Rewarded-ad signals | Opt-in rewarded ad views and reward grants, anonymized | Operate the rewarded-ad system you choose to engage with |
This automatic data is collected in aggregate or pseudonymous form — we don't tie it to your real identity, name, or contact information.
1.3 Information from Apple
If we offer Apple's Game Center for leaderboards or achievements, Apple may share certain information with the game (such as a Game Center nickname or ID) to enable those features. Your use of Game Center is governed by Apple's privacy policy. We do not receive your full Apple ID or payment information.
2. How We Use Information
We use the information described above to:
- Provide, operate, and maintain Dropping Birds;
- Detect, diagnose, and fix bugs and crashes;
- Understand how players use the game so we can improve it;
- Operate the optional rewarded-ad system and remember your Remove Ads purchase;
- Respond to your support requests;
- Send you product updates and announcement emails, if you signed up for them;
- Comply with legal obligations.
We do not use your data for targeted advertising, and we do not sell your personal information.
3. About Ads in Dropping Birds
Dropping Birds is free to play. Its only ad model is opt-in, rewarded video ads that you choose to watch at moments of your choosing (for example, to refill a power-up or to continue a finished run). We never show unskippable interstitial ads during gameplay.
To serve rewarded ads, we use a third-party ad SDK (such as Google AdMob). That SDK may collect technical information necessary to deliver and verify the ad (device identifiers for advertising, ad-engagement events, IP address). On iOS, the SDK's use of the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) is gated by Apple's App Tracking Transparency prompt — if you decline, you'll still see rewarded ads, but they will be non-personalized.
If you purchase Remove Ads, the ad SDK is disabled for your device and rewarded ads no longer appear.
4. Legal Bases (for users in the EEA / UK)
If you are located in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, our legal bases for processing your personal data are:
- Performance of a contract — to provide the Dropping Birds service to you;
- Legitimate interests — to fix bugs, improve the game, and protect against fraud or abuse;
- Consent — for email signups, App Tracking Transparency for personalized ads, and any optional data collection where consent is required;
- Legal obligations — to comply with applicable law.
5. Children's Privacy
Dropping Birds is suitable for general audiences, but it is not directed at children under 13 (or under 16 in some jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.
6. How We Share Information
We share data only in these limited ways:
- Apple — for app distribution, payments, Game Center (if offered), and crash reporting via Apple's tools.
- Ad and analytics providers — service providers we engage to operate the rewarded-ad system and aggregate analytics, under contracts that restrict their use of the data to providing services to us.
- Legal compliance — when required by law, court order, or to protect rights, safety, and property.
- Business transfers — if Tech Artists is acquired or assets are transferred, your information may be part of that transfer, subject to this policy.
We do not sell or rent your personal information.
7. Data Retention
We keep information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy. Specifically:
- Local game data (high score, settings, Remove Ads flag) stays on your device until you delete the app or clear it.
- Email signups are kept until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
- Anonymous analytics and crash data are typically retained for up to 24 months.
- Support correspondence is retained as needed to resolve your issue and meet legal/recordkeeping obligations.
8. Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect data we hold, including encryption in transit (HTTPS) and access controls. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Your Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you;
- Correct inaccurate information;
- Delete your information;
- Restrict or object to certain processing;
- Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent);
- Receive a portable copy of your information;
- Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
To exercise any of these rights, email us at support@techartists.com. We'll respond within the timeframes required by applicable law.
For California residents (CCPA / CPRA)
California residents have the right to know what personal information we collect, to delete it, to correct it, and to opt out of sale or sharing of personal information. As noted above, we do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.
10. International Data Transfers
Tech Artists is based in the United States. If you access Dropping Birds from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the U.S. or other countries where our service providers operate. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses for these transfers.
11. Third-Party Services
Our app and website may include links to or use of third-party services (such as Apple's App Store, Game Center, Google AdMob, and email service providers). Those services have their own privacy practices, which we encourage you to review. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we'll update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. If we make material changes, we'll provide more prominent notice (such as in-app notification or via the website). Continued use of the Service after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.
13. Contact Us
For privacy questions, data requests, or anything else:
Tech Artists
Email: support@techartists.com
Website: techartists.com · droppingbirds.app