Privacy Policy
zhimastudio ("we," "us," or "our") is an individual developer of the Android application Sudoku (package name com.antstudio.sudoku, the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains what information the App handles and how you can contact us. If you do not agree, please stop using the App.
1. Scope
This Policy applies to the App on Google Play, including classic puzzles, the daily challenge, hints, notes, statistics, Sudoku Academy, themes, and optional Premium purchases. It does not apply to third-party sites or services you open from the App, including Google Play.
2. Information stored on your device
The App is built to work offline. Gameplay and settings stay on your device. We do not operate an account system, and we do not upload your puzzles, progress, statistics, or settings to a server of our own.
| Data | Purpose | Where it stays |
|---|---|---|
| Game progress | Board, entries, notes, time, and mistakes so you can resume | On device (local database) |
| Statistics | Completed games, best time, average time, and streaks | On device |
| Daily challenge | Today's puzzle, completion, and streak | On device |
| Settings | Sound, timer, highlight, error check, mistake limit, theme, language, and hint count | On device |
| Premium cache | Remember the plan last confirmed by Google Play | On device; the purchase itself is processed by Google |
| Academy progress | Remember lessons you have finished | On device |
If you turn on Android backup or device transfer, Google may include the App's progress database and settings in the backup tied to your Google Account. The Premium cache may also be restored, but Premium access is always re-checked with Google Play on launch. That backup is controlled by your device settings and by Google, not by us.
3. Information we do not collect
The App does not:
- ask you to create an account or collect your name, phone number, or government ID;
- show third-party ads or use advertising identifiers for ad targeting;
- send gameplay or in-app analytics events to us or to an analytics provider;
- sell or rent your information.
The App requests the Internet permission only for Google Play billing and the optional review prompt, for loading this Policy and the Terms inside the App, and for links you choose to open.
4. Google Play
Purchases, subscriptions, refunds, and restore are handled by Google Play. Google receives the payment and purchase details under the Google Privacy Policy and Google Play terms. We receive entitlement status (for example, whether Monthly, Yearly, or Lifetime Premium is active) so the App can unlock Premium features. We do not receive your full payment card number.
The App may ask Google Play to show an in-app review prompt. Whether you rate the App, and what you write, is between you and Google.
5. Feedback and sharing
If you choose Feedback, your email app opens a message to ningbowanhu@gmail.com. The draft includes the app name, app version, device model, and Android version so we can reproduce issues. You can edit or delete that text before sending. We use the message only to answer you and to fix the App, and we keep it only as long as needed for that purpose.
If you use Share, Android opens the share sheet. We do not receive the message or learn which app you picked.
6. Viewing this Policy and the Terms in the App
When you open the Privacy Policy or Terms of Service from the App, the App loads these pages from our website (zhimastudio.com) in an embedded web view. As with any web page, the hosting provider receives the standard connection data needed to deliver the page, such as your IP address and browser type. We do not use that data to identify you and do not link it to your gameplay. If you are offline, the page is not loaded and the App shows a retry option.
7. How we use information
- to run puzzles, the daily challenge, hints, notes, statistics, and Academy;
- to save and restore progress on your device;
- to unlock Premium features after Google Play confirms a purchase;
- to reply to email you send us;
- to meet legal duties.
8. Sharing
We do not sell your personal information. Information leaves your device only in these cases:
- You email us, or you share text through an app you choose.
- Google Play processes a purchase, subscription, restore, or review.
- You open this Policy or the Terms in the App, which loads the page from our website.
- Android backup, if you have enabled it, stores app data with your Google Account.
- The law, a court, or a government request requires disclosure, or disclosure is reasonably needed to protect users or our rights.
9. Retention and security
Local data remains until you reset statistics in the App, clear the App's storage, or uninstall it. Uninstalling removes the App's local data from that device, except copies you or Android backup already made. Feedback email is kept for a reasonable time after we handle it, or longer if the law requires.
No storage or email transmission is perfectly secure. Protect your device and your Google Account.
10. Your choices
- Change sound, timer, highlights, error check, mistake limit, theme, and language in the App.
- Reset statistics in the App. Clear storage or uninstall to delete local games and progress.
- Manage or cancel a subscription in Google Play: Subscriptions.
- Turn Android backup off in system settings if you do not want app data backed up.
- Email ningbowanhu@gmail.com for a privacy request. Because we do not keep a gameplay account, most data can only be deleted on your device.
11. Children
The App is a general-audience puzzle game. It is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has sent us personal information, email us and we will delete it.
12. International processing
We do not run our own servers for the App. Google may process Play purchases, backups, and reviews in countries other than yours. That processing is covered by Google's terms and privacy policy. Our website that hosts this Policy and the Terms may be served from a country other than yours.
13. Changes
We may update this Policy. The date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of the App after an update means you accept the revised Policy. If you do not agree, uninstall the App.
14. Contact
zhimastudio
Email: ningbowanhu@gmail.com