Privacy Policy for WordScout: Word Search Hunt
Last updated: October 28, 2026 · Effective: October 28, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how IYGroup ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses and shares information when you use the WordScout: Word Search Hunt mobile game ("WordScout" or "the App") on Android, iOS and iPadOS.
By using the App you agree to this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.
1. Information We Collect
You can play as a guest without giving us your name or email. We do not access your location (GPS), camera, microphone, contacts, photos or files, and we never receive your card or payment details.
1.1 Your Account
- Guest account. When the App first starts, Firebase Authentication silently creates an anonymous account with a random user ID (UID). The App gives you a random, unique display name.
- Google Sign-In (optional). If you link your Google account, we receive your Google account email, display name and Google user ID. We use your email only for account linking and recovery; it is not shown to other players.
- Game Center (iOS) / Google Play Games (optional). If you link them, we receive your player ID, used for sign-in, leaderboards and achievements.
- Display name and avatar. You can change your display name (2–24 characters, must be unique) and pick an avatar from the App's built-in images. You cannot upload photos or other content.
- Account details. Your sign-in provider type and whether you are a guest.
1.2 Game Data Saved in the Cloud
The following is stored in Google Cloud Firestore and linked to your UID:
- Progress: current level, stars per level, XP, player level, streak and best streak.
- Virtual items: coins, gems, hints, boosters, streak freezes, and unlocked avatars and themes.
- Gameplay stats: words found, bonus words, master levels cleared, fastest level times and daily challenge completions.
- Timestamps: when you were last active and when your data was last updated.
1.3 What Other Players Can See
Other signed-in players can see your display name, avatar and leaderboard stats: total stars, max level, player level, XP, streak, words found, per-level best times and daily challenge completions. Everything else (your email, UID, provider IDs, wallet and items) is private to you and protected by Firestore security rules. Please do not use your real name or personal information as your display name.
1.4 Purchases
If you subscribe, RevenueCat receives purchase and subscription records, store transaction IDs, an app user ID (which may be linked to your Firebase UID) and device and app information. Payments are processed by Apple or Google.
1.5 Information Collected Automatically
- Usage and analytics data (via Firebase Analytics): app usage events (e.g. levels started, completed and failed, hints used, ads shown and completed), device and app information, an app-instance ID, and approximate location derived from your IP address.
- Crash data (via Firebase Crashlytics): crash reports, stack traces, device and OS information and an installation ID.
- Advertising data (via Google AdMob): your device's advertising ID (Google Advertising ID on Android; IDFA on iOS only if you allow tracking), subject to your consent, plus IP address, device information and ad interactions.
1.6 Information Stored Only on Your Device
Settings, sound and music preferences, notification preferences, and cached progress and wallet are stored locally on your device.
2. How We Use Information
We use the information above to:
- Create and manage your account, and let you link Google, Game Center or Play Games
- Save your progress in the cloud and sync it across your devices
- Show leaderboards, profiles and achievements
- Provide subscriptions and restore purchases
- Show ads (and reward you for watching rewarded ads), and remember your ad consent
- Send local daily or streak reminders if you allow notifications
- Understand how the App is used, fix crashes and improve the game
- Prevent cheating and leaderboard manipulation, and comply with legal obligations
We do not sell your personal information.
3. Advertising
The App shows banner, interstitial, rewarded, rewarded-interstitial, app-open and native ads served by Google AdMob. Ads may be personalised or non-personalised depending on your choices. Ad content is rated for teens (T). Active Remove Ads and VIP Explorer Club subscribers do not see interstitial and banner ads.
- EEA, UK, Switzerland and US states with privacy laws: we ask for your choices through Google's User Messaging Platform before ads load. You can change them at any time in Settings → Privacy Settings in the App.
- iOS: the App asks for App Tracking Transparency permission ("This identifier will be used to deliver personalized ads to you."). If you don't allow tracking, ads are non-personalised. You can change this in Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.
- Android: you can reset or delete your advertising ID in Settings → Google → Ads (or Settings → Privacy → Ads).
Learn more: Google Advertising privacy
4. Notifications, Permissions and Other Features
- Notifications: daily and streak reminders are scheduled on your device only. We do not run a push server or collect a push token.
- Permissions used: notifications, App Tracking Transparency (iOS, optional) and internet access.
- Share: opens your device's share sheet with the store link. We don't see who you share with.
- Rate the app: uses the native Apple / Google in-app review prompt.
- Update check: the App reads its public store listing to suggest updates.
5. Third-Party Services
We use the following service providers, each with its own privacy policy:
| Service | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase Authentication (Google) | Guest account; Google email and name if you link Google Sign-In | Link |
| Cloud Firestore (Google) | Cloud save, cross-device sync & leaderboards | Link |
| Firebase Analytics (Google) | App usage & gameplay events | Link |
| Firebase Crashlytics (Google) | Crash diagnostics & stability logs | Link |
| Google AdMob / Google Mobile Ads SDK | In-app advertising & rewarded ads | Link |
| Google User Messaging Platform (UMP) | Showing and storing your ad consent choices | Link |
| Google Sign-In | Optional account linking | Link |
| RevenueCat (RevenueCat, Inc.) | Managing subscriptions & purchase records | Link |
| Apple App Store / Google Play Billing | Processing payments | Link |
| Apple Game Center / Google Play Games Services | Optional sign-in, leaderboards & achievements | Link |
Google's privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy and Apple's at apple.com/legal/privacy.
6. Sharing of Information
We share information only:
- With the service providers listed above, to operate the App
- With other players, limited to your display name, avatar and leaderboard stats
- When required by law, or to protect the rights, safety and property of our users or ourselves
- With a successor in the event of a merger, acquisition or sale of assets
7. International Transfers
Google, RevenueCat and Apple process data in the United States and other countries outside your own. Where required, these providers rely on safeguards such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses.
8. Data Retention
- Account and game data (including guest accounts): kept while your account exists, and deleted within 30 days of a deletion request (see Section 10).
- Firebase Analytics: kept for up to 14 months.
- Firebase Crashlytics: crash reports are kept for up to 90 days.
- Advertising and purchase data: kept under Google's and RevenueCat's own retention settings. Apple and Google keep store transaction records under their own policies.
9. Security
Data is sent over encrypted HTTPS/TLS connections, and Firestore security rules limit who can read and change your data. No method of storage or transmission is 100% secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information.
10. Your Rights and Choices
- Delete your account and data: in the App, go to Settings → Delete Account. This opens a pre-filled email to us with your display name, player ID and sign-in email. You can also email us directly at iycreateapp@gmail.com with the subject "Delete my WordScout account". If you email us directly, include your display name (and the email you signed in with, if you linked Google). We will delete your account, progress and leaderboard entries within 30 days. Uninstalling the App removes local data but does not delete data saved online. Deleting your account does not cancel a subscription; cancel it in your Apple or Google account settings.
- Access, correct or export your data: change your display name in the App, or contact us at the same address.
- Ads: Settings → Privacy Settings in the App, plus iOS tracking and Android ad-ID settings (see Section 3).
- Notifications: turn them off in the App's settings or in your device settings.
- Withdraw consent or object: change your choices in the App or contact us.
Depending on where you live (for example the EEA/UK under GDPR, California under CCPA/CPRA, or India under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023), you may have extra rights, including the right to object, restrict processing, data portability and to complain to your local data-protection authority.
Our legal bases for processing (where GDPR applies) are performance of our contract with you (running the game, cloud save and subscriptions), our legitimate interests (analytics, security, crash fixing, anti-cheat) and your consent (personalised ads).
11. California Privacy Rights
We do not sell personal information for money. Sharing advertising identifiers and ad interaction data with Google AdMob may count as "sharing" for cross-context behavioural advertising under California law. You can opt out through the privacy message shown in the App, at any time from Settings → Privacy Settings, or by emailing us. We will not discriminate against you for using your rights.
12. Children's Privacy
The App is not directed at children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. We will post the new version on this page and update the effective date. Important changes will also be announced in the App.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at:
We aim to respond within 30 days.
This policy applies solely to the WordScout: Word Search Hunt mobile application and does not apply to third-party websites or services that may be linked from within the app.