Privacy Policy for Animal Detective

Last Updated: September 2025

Our Commitment to Privacy

At Metal Torch Labs (PixiePlay), we value your family's privacy and are committed to protecting it. Animal Detective is designed specifically for children and their families, and we understand the importance of creating a safe digital environment for young learners.

Information We Collect

We collect minimal information necessary to provide and improve our educational game:

Information We DO Collect:

App Usage Data:

• Game progress and level completion status
• Language preferences (English, Russian, Turkish)
• Volume settings and user preferences
• Which animals have been discovered in each level
• Current position within each level
• Loading preferences (fast vs. standard loading)

Device Information:

• Device type, operating system version, and app version to ensure compatibility
• Screen orientation and device capabilities
• Basic device locale information for language detection

Technical Data:

• Anonymous crash reports to help us fix bugs and improve app stability
• App performance metrics to optimize loading times
• Asset loading metrics for improved user experience
• Video loading performance data

Purchase Information (iOS only):

• In-app purchase status for unlocking additional levels
• Apple Pay transaction data (processed securely through Apple's systems)

Information We DO NOT Collect:

• Personal information from anyone without explicit consent
• Names, email addresses, or contact information
• Location data or GPS coordinates
• Photos, videos, or audio recordings from your device
• Browsing history or search queries
• Social media information
• Microphone recordings (permission requested but not used for data collection)

How We Use Information

Any information we collect is used solely for the following purposes:

• Game Functionality: Saving your child's progress, language preferences, and settings
• App Improvement: Fixing bugs and technical issues based on anonymous crash reports
• Performance Optimization: Ensuring app compatibility and improving loading times
• Educational Features: Maintaining progress tracking for educational value
• Purchase Processing: Managing in-app purchases securely through Apple's payment systems

Data Storage and Security

Local Storage Only:

• All data is stored locally on your device using secure storage mechanisms
• No personal data is transmitted to external servers
• Data is encrypted and protected using industry-standard security measures

Data Retention:

• Game progress and preferences are stored locally until you delete the app
• You can reset all game data at any time through the app's settings
• No data is retained on our servers

Third-Party Services

We are committed to keeping your child's experience safe and ad-free:

Apple Services (iOS only):

• Apple Pay: Secure payment processing for in-app purchases
• App Store: Standard app distribution and update mechanisms
• No Third-Party Advertising: Our app contains no advertising from external companies
• No Social Media Integration: We don't integrate with social media platforms
• No Data Sharing: We never sell, rent, or share personal information with third parties

Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Animal Detective is fully compliant with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). We:

• Do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone without explicit consent
• Require verifiable parental consent before collecting any personal information from children
• Provide parents with the right to review, delete, or refuse further collection of their child's information
• Maintain reasonable procedures to protect the confidentiality, security, and integrity of personal information
• Store all data locally on the device, not on external servers

Parental Controls

Reset Functionality:

• Parents can reset all game progress through the settings menu
• This will clear all locally stored data and return the app to its initial state
• No data recovery is possible once reset

Language Selection:

• Parents can change the app language at any time
• Language preference is stored locally and can be changed or reset

Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect any information we collect:

• Local Encryption: All data stored on your device is encrypted
• Secure Storage: Using React Native AsyncStorage with built-in security features
• No Network Transmission: Personal data never leaves your device
• Regular Updates: We regularly update the app to address any security concerns

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy within the app
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Providing notice through app updates

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: View all data stored locally on your device
• Delete: Reset all app data through the settings menu
• Control: Change language and volume settings at any time
• Opt-out: Delete the app to remove all associated data

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Email: pixieplayco@proton.me
Subject Line: Animal Detective Privacy Policy Inquiry

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days of receipt.