The short version
- We only ask Google for your name, email and profile photo.
- We never sell your data. Single player shows ads from Google AdMob; multiplayer and Battle Trivia never do.
- Delete your account in the app any time, and your data goes with it.
01What we collect
Synapse is run by NodeNinja ("we", "us"). When you sign in with Google we receive your name, email address and profile photo. As you play we store your display name, country, match results, points and leaderboard positions.
Like any website or online service, our servers and our network provider see your IP address and basic request details. We use them to keep the service running and to stop abuse, for example rate limits on sign-in. We do not collect your contacts, location, photos or files, and the app only uses your advertising ID for ads (see Ads and purchases). When the app crashes or hits an error, it sends us a crash report so we can fix the bug: your device model, Android version, the app version, the error and its stack trace, and your account ID (not your name or email). Crash reports are kept for 90 days.
The app also records how it is used, such as which screens you open, the games you play and their scores, and settings you change, together with device and app information (device model, Android version, app version, rough location from your IP address) and an app instance or advertising identifier linked to your account ID. We use this to improve the game and to measure and improve ads. Where the law asks for consent, the app asks first, and you can change your choice any time under Menu › Settings › Privacy choices.
02How we use it
- To create and run your account and keep you signed in.
- To match you with other players, score games and show leaderboards.
- To review questions players report as wrong.
- To find and fix problems and to protect the service from abuse.
- To see how the game is played, so we can improve it and its ads.
We use your data because you asked for the service (to play, we need an account and scores), and for our legitimate interest in keeping it secure and working. Where the law asks for consent, we ask first.
03Where it is stored
Our database is a cloud database hosted in South Africa. Live game state and leaderboards are kept on our own servers in South Africa. Traffic to the app and this site passes through a network protection and delivery provider, which may handle it in data centres outside your country.
Data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS) and the database is encrypted at rest. Only we can reach the database and the admin tools, which are not on the public internet.
05Ads and purchases
Synapse is free to play. Single player shows occasional ads; quick matches and Battle Trivia never do. There are no purchases today.
- Ads are served by Google AdMob, which uses your device's advertising ID and IP address to show and measure ads. Where required we ask for your consent first, and you can reset or delete the advertising ID in your Android settings.
- Purchases would go through Google Play Billing. Google handles payment, and we receive only a purchase record (what you bought and when), never your card details.
We will update this policy before purchases go live.
06Keeping and deleting
We keep your account for as long as you have it. You can delete it at any time in the app under Menu › Settings › Delete account, or by email. See Delete your account for the steps.
When you ask to delete your account, you are signed out on every device and taken off the leaderboards straight away. The account itself is deleted 14 days later; if you sign in again before then, the deletion is cancelled and your account and scores come back. After 14 days we delete your Google name, email and photo, your display name and country, and your single-player games and stats. Some records stay, without anything that identifies you:
- Matches you played with others stay in their history, with you shown as "Deleted player".
- Question reports you sent stay, without your name.
- If you finished in the top 100 of a past weekly or monthly leaderboard, or on a weekly podium, that archived result stays, without your name or country.
- Your data may stay in a database backup until our single database backup is next replaced.
Network and server logs are kept for a short time for security.
07Children
You must be at least 13 years old to use Synapse. If you are under 18, you may only use Synapse with the consent of a parent or guardian, and by signing in you confirm that they have agreed. Under POPIA, a parent or guardian can ask us at any time to see or delete a child's data. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 13. If you believe a younger child has an account, or a parent did not agree, contact us and we will delete it.
08Your rights
Depending on where you live (for example under POPIA in South Africa or the GDPR in Europe), you can ask to see the data we hold about you, correct it, delete it, get a copy of it, or object to how we use it. You can change your display name and country, and delete your account, in the app yourself. For anything else, email us and we will reply within 30 days.
You can also complain to your data protection authority, such as the Information Regulator in South Africa.
09Changes
If we change this policy we will update the date at the top. For important changes we will also tell you in the app before they take effect.
10Contact
NodeNinja, South Africa. Email appsupport@node-ninja.dev.