Privacy Policy
Words to Weave is a word-puzzle game operated by MR ANDREW GLEN MARTIN CHALMERS, a sole trader based in New Zealand. This Privacy Policy explains what information Words to Weave may process, why it is used, who it may be shared with, and the choices available to you. This policy is intended to operate consistently with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020. Under that Act, personal information includes information about an identifiable individual, so an account identifier or account-linked gameplay information can be personal information even when it does not contain your real name.
Information we process
Guest and account information. You can play as a guest where guest play is available. Guest play may use an anonymous Firebase Authentication account in the background. Firebase assigns that guest a unique identifier so Words to Weave can provide account-like technical functions, including verifying some Daily results and preserving them if the guest later registers. Guest play does not require you to provide a name or email address. If you create or use a registered account, Firebase Authentication and the sign-in provider you choose may provide Words to Weave with an account identifier and information such as your email address. Social providers may also supply basic profile information according to the permissions shown by that provider.
Leaderboard identity and results. Signed-in players may have a Words to Weave public player ID, a generated public display name, verified leaderboard scores, ranks, followed-player relationships and finalized monthly ranking history. These are used to operate the leaderboard and preserve historical results. Your public leaderboard identity and scores may be visible to other players.
Gameplay and progress. Words to Weave stores gameplay progress, puzzle results, settings and similar state needed to operate the game. Some information is stored locally on your device or browser. Some guest results and account-backed features may also be stored in cloud services so results can be verified, progress can be retained, or account-backed features can work across sessions.
Custom and shared weaves. Custom Weaves may be stored locally. If you choose to share a weave, the link may include information needed to recreate the puzzle. When a signed-in player shares a Custom Weave they created, the link also includes an automatically assigned account ID: a string of characters used to recognise the original creator for theme unlocks. The ID itself does not contain the creator's real name, email address or sign-in details, but Words to Weave can link it to the creator's account. Anyone with the link can access the puzzle and see that ID.
Support communications. If you contact support, we receive the email address you use, the contents of your message and any information you choose to provide.
Technical and security information. Hosting, authentication and database providers may process routine technical information needed to deliver and secure the service, such as network requests, timestamps, device/browser information and service logs.
Where information comes from
Some information comes directly from you, such as an email address you enter or a support message you send. Some information is created when you use Words to Weave, such as gameplay results, settings and account identifiers. Some account information may be received from the sign-in provider you choose.
How we use information
- to provide, maintain and secure Words to Weave;
- to authenticate registered accounts and support anonymous guest sessions;
- to save and verify puzzle progress and results;
- to operate leaderboards, player IDs, following and monthly history;
- to provide sharing and Custom Weave functionality you choose to use;
- to investigate faults, abuse or security problems; and
- to respond to support, privacy and account requests.
Who we share information with
Words to Weave currently uses Google Firebase services for functions such as authentication, hosting, cloud functions and cloud data storage. Depending on the sign-in method you choose, authentication may also involve Google, Apple, Meta/Facebook or X. Those providers may process information under their own privacy terms as well as providing services used by Words to Weave.
Information may also be made visible to other players or other people when that is part of a feature you use. For example, leaderboard identity and scores may be public, and anyone who receives a shared Custom Weave link can access the information contained in that link.
Information may be disclosed where reasonably necessary to comply with law, respond to lawful requests, protect the security or integrity of Words to Weave, or investigate abuse. Words to Weave does not sell your personal information.
We do not currently describe advertising, paid subscriptions or product analytics here because those systems are not part of the current Words to Weave implementation. This policy will be updated before such features are introduced if they involve additional personal-information processing.
International processing
Some technology providers may store or process information outside New Zealand. Where personal information is disclosed overseas, Words to Weave will take reasonable steps appropriate to the service and applicable New Zealand privacy requirements.
Retention
Guest accounts are intended for temporary use. Unregistered guest accounts, and data associated with them, may be deleted after a period of inactivity. Registering an account allows your account and associated progress to be retained until you delete the account or we are otherwise required to remove the data.
Information is kept only for as long as reasonably needed for the purpose for which it is used, legal or security requirements, or operation of persistent game features. After you delete your account, account information and related records may be kept for up to 28 days before being deleted. If particular information must be retained for a legal or security reason, it will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for that reason. During that deletion period, if you sign in again with the same account and the retained data is still recoverable, Words to Weave may offer you the choice to restore the previous account or start with a new account while deletion of the previous account continues. Local guest data remains subject to the storage and deletion behaviour of your device or browser.
Your choices and rights
You may choose guest play where it is offered. You may also request access to or correction of personal information Words to Weave holds about you. To delete your account, use Delete account in the signed-in account menu or visit the account-deletion page directly. After confirmation, the account is unavailable for normal play and its public profile and leaderboard entries are hidden. If you sign in again before deletion has finished and the retained data is still recoverable, you may be offered the choice to restore that account or start fresh. Choosing to start fresh does not restore the previous account and its remaining data continues through deletion. Once deletion has completed, signing in again starts a new account and the previous account data is no longer recoverable through this flow. Account-linked data is removed from current and historical rankings, subject to information that must be retained for legal or security reasons. Information stored only on your device may remain there until you clear it.
Security
Words to Weave uses reasonable technical and organisational safeguards appropriate to the information it handles. No internet service can guarantee absolute security.
Children
Official Words to Weave puzzles and game content are intended to be family-friendly. Custom Weaves are created by users and may be shared directly with other people; they are not necessarily reviewed or approved by Words to Weave before being accessed and may not be suitable for children. Guest play does not require a child to provide a name or email address. Parents and guardians should supervise account creation, third-party sign-in and access to user-created Custom Weaves where appropriate. A parent or guardian with a privacy request concerning a child can contact the Privacy Officer using the details below.
Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated when Words to Weave's features, providers or legal obligations change. The updated version will show a new “Last updated” date. Where appropriate, additional notice of significant changes may also be provided in the game.
Contact
MR ANDREW GLEN MARTIN CHALMERS is the Privacy Officer for Words to Weave. For privacy questions, access or correction requests, or account-deletion requests, email support@wordstoweave.com.
If you have a privacy concern that is not resolved, you can also contact the New Zealand Office of the Privacy Commissioner at privacy.org.nz.