Privacy Policy

1. About Connect Four for Kids

2. Information We Collect

Connect Four for Kids does not require an account and does not ask you to provide your email address, phone number, precise location, contacts, photos, camera access, microphone access, or health information.

2.1 Local App Settings and Scores

The app stores gameplay preference and score data locally on your device so the game can function properly. This may include:

• Optional player display names (for example, Red and Yellow)
• Sound on/off preference
• Reminder on/off preference
• Last selected game mode and computer difficulty
• Win counts and games played
• Last active timestamp used for optional play reminders
• Simple UI hint flags and the app language / locale preference

This local data is stored on your device using the platform’s local storage mechanisms (for example, preferences / UserDefaults-style storage and locale preferences). We do not upload these settings or scores to our servers. Computer opponents run on your device and do not require a game server.

2.2 Advertising and Device Information

Connect Four for Kids uses Google AdMob to display banner and interstitial advertisements on Android and iOS. Google AdMob may collect or process information such as device identifiers, advertising identifiers (for example, Google Advertising ID on Android or Identifier for Advertisers / IDFA on iOS where permitted), IP address, approximate location inferred from IP address, app interactions, ad views, diagnostics, and other data described in Google's policies.

We configure AdMob with child-directed treatment and a maximum G-rated ad content setting. However, Google's handling of advertising data is governed by Google's own privacy policies and consent requirements. On Android, you can manage advertising identifiers and ad personalization in your Google settings. On iOS, you can manage App Tracking Transparency and related privacy settings in iOS Settings.

2.3 Developer App Catalog Request

The app may request a public list of other developer apps from https://healthplate.org/api/projects. This request does not require an account and does not send your Connect Four board state, scores, or saved settings. When thumbnails are available, the app may load those thumbnail images over the network.

Like most web requests to healthplate.org, our server may receive standard technical information such as IP address, request time, and user agent string for security, reliability, and server operations.

2.4 Local Notifications

If you allow notifications and enable optional play reminders, Connect Four for Kids may schedule a local on-device reminder (for example, about 24 hours after you last played). Reminder content is generic and does not include personal account information. These reminders are scheduled locally and are not push messages from our servers.

3. How We Use Information

We use information only to operate and improve the app experience:

• Save and restore your game preferences and scores on your device
• Provide on-device computer opponents and same-device two-player play
• Show advertisements through Google AdMob
• Display links and thumbnails for other apps from the same developer when available
• Schedule optional local play reminders when enabled
• Maintain security, troubleshoot server issues, and prevent abuse of public endpoints

4. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We do not share your local Connect Four settings or scores with third parties.

Information may be processed by third-party services used by the app, including Google AdMob and platform services from Google Play or the Apple App Store, as described in their own privacy policies. We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect our rights, users, or services.

5. Third-Party Services

Connect Four for Kids uses or may interact with the following third-party services:

• Google AdMob: Displays banner and interstitial advertisements on Android and iOS and may process advertising identifiers and ad interaction data.
• Google Play / Apple App Store: Distribute the app and may provide platform services such as in-app review prompts and updates.
• Device backup services: If enabled on your device, Android/Google backup or Apple iCloud / device backup features may back up app data according to your device and account settings.

We encourage you to review Google's privacy policy, AdMob disclosures, and Apple's privacy documentation for more information about those parties' data practices.

6. Data Retention

Your app preferences and scores remain on your device until you clear app data or uninstall the app. We do not keep a server copy of your Connect Four settings, scores, or game activity.

Server logs for requests to healthplate.org may be retained for a limited period for security, diagnostics, and operational purposes. Advertising data retained by Google is governed by Google's policies.

7. Your Choices and Rights

• You can change player names, sound, and reminder preferences in the app settings.
• You can delete local app data by uninstalling the app, clearing app storage (Android), or offloading/deleting the app (iOS).
• You can deny or revoke notification permission in your Android or iOS device settings.
• You can reset or limit advertising identifiers and manage ad personalization or tracking in your Google settings (Android) or iOS privacy / tracking settings (iOS).
• You can contact us with privacy questions or data requests using the contact information below.

8. Children's Privacy

Connect Four for Kids is designed to be family-friendly. The app does not require accounts and does not knowingly collect personal information from children. Ads are configured for child-directed treatment and G-rated ad content. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, please contact us and we will take appropriate action.

9. Security

We use reasonable safeguards to protect our services. Local app data is protected by the Android or iOS app sandbox and device security features. Gameplay against the computer runs on your device and does not require sending board state to our servers. No method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. International Users

If you use Connect Four for Kids outside the United States, information processed by third-party services or our public server endpoints may be processed in the United States or other countries where those services operate.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the app after an update means you accept the updated policy.

12. Contact Information