Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Cosmic Defender (the "Game") and the website c-defender.dev (the "Site"), owned and operated by Mark Geden ("we," "us," or "our"), collect, use, store, and protect information about players and visitors ("you"). By using the Site or playing the Game, you agree to the practices described in this Policy.

We are committed to collecting the minimum amount of data necessary to operate the Game and Site.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Automatically Collected Technical Data

When you visit the Site or play the Game, we may automatically collect:

• IP address— collected as part of standard internet communication;
• General location details— approximate region derived from your IP address (e.g., country, state/region). We do not collect precise GPS location.

2.2 Gameplay Data

We collect information about your activity within the Game and on the Site, such as:

• Game scores and high scores
• Leaderboard rankings and display names/handles you choose
• Achievements and gameplay statistics
• Prize eligibility and prize history

2.3 What We Do NOT Collect

We do not collect personal information during normal use of the Site or Game. This means we do not collect:

• Real names
• Email addresses or phone numbers
• Home or mailing addresses
• Payment card or banking information
• Precise geolocation data
• Biometric data

The only exception is prize fulfillment, described in Section 4 below.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the limited data we collect only to:

• Operate, maintain, and secure the Site and the Game;
• Display scores, leaderboards, and gameplay achievements;
• Determine prize eligibility and administer prizes;
• Prevent cheating, fraud, and abuse;
• Comply with applicable legal obligations.

4. Prize Winners — Legal Information

If you win a prize or winnings through the Game or Site, we may need to collect certain legal information from you in order to pay out the prize and comply with the law. This may include your legal name, mailing address, and tax identification information.

How this information is handled:

• It is used solely for prize payment and legal/tax compliance;
• It is never sold, rented, or shared with third parties, except where disclosure is required by law (for example, tax reporting to government authorities);
• It is erased after the retention period required by the jurisdiction in which you reside, in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations governing individuals who receive prizes or winnings from a gaming website.

5. We Do Not Sell Your Data

We do not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise disclose for value any data collected by the Game or the Site about any player or visitor. This includes IP addresses, location details, gameplay data, and any legal information collected for prize payment.

6. Data Sharing

We do not share your data with third parties, except in the following limited circumstances:

• Legal compliance— when required by law, regulation, subpoena, or court order (including tax reporting for prize winners);
• Safety and security— to investigate fraud, cheating, or threats to the Site, the Game, or other users;
• Service providers— if we use hosting or infrastructure providers to operate the Site, they may process technical data (such as IP addresses) on our behalf, and only for that purpose.

7. Data Retention

• IP addresses and location details are retained only as long as necessary for security, anti-fraud, and operational purposes.
• Gameplay data(scores, leaderboard entries) is retained while relevant to the Game's leaderboards and features.
• Prize winner legal information is retained only for the period required by the laws and regulations of your jurisdiction, and is then erased as described in Section 4.

8. Data Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the data we hold from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Cookies and Tracking

The Site may use only strictly necessary cookies or local storage required for the Game and Site to function (for example, saving game progress or session state). We do not use advertising cookies or third-party tracking for marketing purposes.

10. Children's Privacy

The Site and Game are not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Because we collect no personal information during normal use, gameplay data is not linked to any child's identity. If you believe a child has provided personal information in connection with a prize, contact us and we will delete it.

11. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights regarding your data, including the right to:

• Request access to the data we hold about you;
• Request correction or deletion of your data;
• Object to or restrict certain processing.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us through the Site. We will respond in accordance with the laws applicable to your jurisdiction.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on the Site with a revised effective date. Continued use of the Site or Game after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.

13. Contact

For questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact the owner via the Site at https://c-defender.dev.