Aurora Sudoku ("we", "us", "the app") respects your privacy. This
document explains what information we collect, how it is used, and the
choices you have. By using the app you agree to this policy.
Summary
We collect only what is needed to run your account and the public leaderboard.
We do not sell your data. We do not use it for advertising.
Your gameplay is stored on your device and (if you sign in) in your account on Google Firebase.
You can delete your account at any time from the Settings screen.
Information we collect
Account information (only if you sign in with email)
Email address — used to authenticate you and recover your account.
Display name — shown to other players on the Hall of Fame leaderboard.
Country — shown on the leaderboard. You may type it manually or allow the app to detect it from your device location (see below). It is not shared with anyone outside the in-app leaderboard.
Approximate location (one-time, optional)
If you allow location access during sign-up, the app reads your device location once to pre-fill the Country field with the country name.
The raw coordinates never leave your device. Only the resolved country name is stored, and only with your input.
You can deny the prompt and type your country manually. Denying does not block any feature.
Anonymous guest accounts
If you choose "Continue as guest", Firebase creates an anonymous
session with no email and no personal information. Guest accounts do
not appear on the public leaderboard.
Game data
Your puzzle progress, statistics, streaks, time spent, and current game state are stored on your device and (if you are signed in with email) in your private account record in Firestore.
Aggregated public stats (score, country, display name, total puzzles solved) are visible to other signed-in users via the Hall of Fame leaderboard.
Game Center (Apple, iOS only — opt-in)
On iOS, you may opt in to Apple Game Center. If you do, Apple receives your Game Center identifier and the high scores you submit through the app.
We do not control what Apple does with that data. See Apple's privacy policy at apple.com/legal/privacy.
Game Center is fully optional and can be disabled in Settings.
Information we do NOT collect
We do not collect device advertising identifiers (IDFA / GAID).
We do not use third-party analytics or ad networks.
We do not access your contacts, photos, microphone, or camera.
How we use your information
Purpose
Data used
Authenticate you when you sign in
Email, password (stored only by Firebase)
Show you on the worldwide leaderboard
Display name, country, score, total solved
Restore your progress on a new device
Stats + completion progress synced through Firestore
Pre-fill your country during sign-up (one-time, optional)
Approximate device location resolved locally to a country name
We never share, sell, or rent any of this data to advertisers, brokers,
or third parties.
Where your data is stored
On your device — current puzzle, settings, and local progress, in the app's own sandboxed storage. Removed when you uninstall the app.
Firebase Authentication — your email and password, managed by Google.
Firestore (Google Cloud) — users/{uid} — your private profile and game statistics. Only you can read this record.
Firestore (Google Cloud) — leaderboard/{uid} — the public leaderboard row (display name, country, score). Anyone signed in can read it. Anonymous guests never appear here.
Google's data processing for these services is governed by Google's
privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy.
Your rights and choices
View your data — your private profile and stats are visible to you in the Stats and Settings screens.
Reset your stats — Settings → "Reset profile stats" clears all your progress while keeping the account.
Delete your account — Settings → "Delete profile" permanently removes your Firebase account, your Firestore records, and your leaderboard entry. Deletion is immediate and irreversible.
Sign out — Settings → "Sign out" clears your active session without deleting data.
Withdraw location consent — denying the location prompt at any time, or revoking the permission in iOS/Android settings, immediately stops the app from reading your location.
Children
Aurora Sudoku does not knowingly collect personal information from
children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction).
The app is rated 4+ but is intended for general audiences. If you
believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us at
the email below and we will delete the account.
Security
All data in transit between your device and Firebase/Firestore uses TLS encryption.
Authentication tokens are stored in the device's secure storage.
Our Firestore security rules restrict access so that you can only read and write your own private record; only signed-in users can read the public leaderboard; and anonymous guests cannot post to the leaderboard.
Changes to this policy
If we materially change this policy, we will update the effective
date at the top of this page. Continued use of the app after a change
constitutes acceptance. The current version is always reachable inside
the app via Settings → Privacy Policy.