VortexGames INC. ("VortexGames," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal data of our users ("User," "you," or "your"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our mobile casual gaming applications (the "Services").
By accessing or using our Services, you consent to the data practices described in this Privacy Policy. This policy is incorporated into and is subject to our Terms of Use. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Services.
1. INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE
VortexGames INC. ("VortexGames," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal data of our users ("User," "you," or "your"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our mobile casual gaming applications (the "Services").
By accessing or using our Services, you consent to the data practices described in this Privacy Policy. This policy is incorporated into and is subject to our Terms of Use. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Services.
2. SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR MINORS
VortexGames recognizes the critical importance of protecting the privacy of children in the online interactive environment.
2.1 Age Restrictions and Compliance
Our Services are intended for a general audience and are not specifically targeted at children under the age of 13. We operate in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). We do not knowingly collect, maintain, or use personal information from children under 13 years of age without prior verifiable parental consent.
2.2 Verifiable Parental Consent
In the event that a game is identified as having a high appeal to minors or if a user identifies themselves as being under the age of 13 (or the relevant age in their jurisdiction), we will:
Not collect "Personal Information" (as defined by COPPA) until we have obtained verifiable parental consent.
Provide parents with a description of the specific types of data collected.
Give parents the opportunity to review, delete, or prohibit further collection of their child's data.
2.3 Identification of Minor Users
If we discover that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take immediate steps to delete that information from our systems and terminate the associated account. If you believe we might have any information from or about a child under 13, please contact us at [email protected].
3. INFORMATION WE COLLECT
To provide a seamless casual gaming experience, we collect information in three primary ways: information you provide, information collected automatically, and information from third parties.
3.1 Information You Voluntarily Provide
Account Data: When you register, we may collect your username, email address, and age.
Customer Support: Correspondence sent to [email protected] is retained to resolve your inquiries and improve our Services.
Surveys and Promotions: Information provided during voluntary participation in game surveys or contests.
3.2 Information Collected Automatically (Device Identifiers)
When you use our Services, we automatically collect certain information about your hardware and software. This includes:
Hardware Identifiers: We may collect unique device identifiers such as the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), Media Access Control (MAC) address, and IDentifier for Advertisers (IDFA/GAID).
Device Characteristics: Device model, operating system version, screen resolution, and battery level.
Usage Data: IP addresses, time stamps, game-play progress, and interaction logs.
3.3 Information from Third Parties
If you link your Account to a third-party service (e.g., Facebook, Google Play, or Apple Game Center), we may receive information such as your name, profile picture, and friend lists, subject to the privacy settings you have established with those providers.
4. DETAILED DISCLOSURE ON DEVICE IDENTIFIERS (IMEI/MAC)
VortexGames utilizes hardware and software identifiers to maintain the integrity and functionality of our casual games.
4.1 Purpose of Collecting IMEI/MAC and Other IDs
We collect and use identifiers such as IMEI, MAC addresses, and advertising IDs for the following specific purposes:
Anti-Fraud and Security: To prevent "botting," multi-accounting exploits, and unauthorized hacking. These identifiers allow us to unique-link a device to an account, ensuring that bad actors cannot easily return to our community after a ban.
State Management: To ensure your game progress (In-Game Utility Items, levels, and scores) is accurately saved and synchronized across sessions, even if you have not registered a formal email account.
Analytics: To understand how different device models perform with our software, allowing us to optimize graphics and performance for specific hardware configurations.
Attribution and Advertising: To measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns and to provide relevant, non-intrusive advertisements within our casual games.
4.2 Retention Period for Identifiers
VortexGames adheres to the principle of "data minimization." We retain device identifiers for as long as your Account is active or as needed to provide you with the Services.
Active Accounts: Identifiers are retained for the duration of the account lifecycle.
Inactive Accounts: If an account remains inactive for a period of twenty-four (24) months, we will move the associated identifiers to a cold-storage archive or obfuscate them (anonymization).
Deletion Requests: Upon a valid request for data deletion, we will purge these identifiers from our production databases within thirty (30) days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate fraud-prevention purposes.
4.3 Opt-Out Options for Identifiers
Hardware IDs (IMEI/MAC): Because these are essential for core game functionality (such as progress saving and anti-cheat), users cannot "opt-out" of their collection while continuing to use the Services. If you do not wish for these to be collected, you must stop using the Services and uninstall the applications.
Advertising IDs (IDFA/GAID): These are resettable by the user. You can opt-out of tracking by adjusting the "Limit Ad Tracking" settings on your iOS device or "Opt out of Interest-Based Ads" on your Android device.
5. USER EXIT AND OPT-OUT MECHANISMS
We believe users should have full control over their relationship with VortexGames. We provide the following "Exit Mechanisms" to allow you to discontinue our use of your data.
5.1 Account Deletion
You may request the permanent deletion of your Account and all associated personal data at any time. To do so:
Navigate to the "Settings" menu within the application and select "Delete Account."
Alternatively, send a formal request to [email protected] from your registered email address.
Upon deletion, all game progress and In-Game Utility Items will be forfeited and cannot be recovered.
5.2 Unsubscribing from Communications
If you have opted-in to receive promotional emails, you may "exit" these communications by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any email or by adjusting your notification settings in the game.
5.3 Application Uninstallation
To stop all future collection of data by the application, you must uninstall the app using the standard uninstallation process for your mobile device. Please note that uninstalling the app does not automatically delete your data from our servers; you must perform an Account Deletion request (Section 5.1) to purge your records.
5.4 Data Portability
Users in certain jurisdictions (such as the EU or California) may request a copy of the data we have collected about them in a machine-readable format before they exit our Services.
6. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
VortexGames processes your information based on three legal grounds: your consent, our contractual necessity to provide the Services, and our legitimate business interests.
To Provide Services: Managing your Account, providing customer support, and enabling game-play features.
To Improve Services: Analyzing usage patterns to design better levels and social features.
To Communicate: Sending technical notices, security alerts, and administrative messages.
Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, such as tax obligations or responding to legal requests from law enforcement.
7. DATA SHARING AND DISCLOSURE
VortexGames does not sell your personal data to third parties. We only share information in the following circumstances:
7.1 Service Providers
We share data with third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as:
Cloud Hosting: Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud for data storage.
Analytics Providers: Services like Unity Analytics or Firebase to monitor game performance.
Payment Processors: Apple or Google to handle financial transactions.
7.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to:
Comply with a legal obligation (e.g., a court order or subpoena).
Protect and defend the rights or property of VortexGames INC.
Protect the personal safety of users or the public.
7.3 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, user information may be one of the transferred assets. You will be notified via email or a prominent notice on our Services of any change in ownership.
8. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
VortexGames is headquartered in Ohio, United States. Information collected through the Services will be stored and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers maintain facilities.
If you are accessing our Services from the European Union, Asia, or other regions with laws governing data collection and use, please note that you are transferring your personal information to the United States. The United States may not have the same data protection laws as your jurisdiction. By using the Services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the U.S. and the use of your information as described in this Policy.