Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

The Ultimate Grid ("we", "us", "our") is a free web-based sports trivia game available at theultimategrid.com. We are the data controller for the personal information described in this policy.

To contact us about your data: admin@theultimategrid.com

2. Information We Collect

When you create an account:

• Email address (required for authentication)
• Gamertag / username (chosen by you)
• Profile preferences (avatar emoji, background colour)

When you play:

• Game statistics (daily streak, total points, grids completed, correct answers)
• Trophy and ranking data
• Friends list (usernames and user IDs of friends you add)
• Inbox messages (friend requests and game challenges)
• DIY grid codes you create or receive

We do NOT collect:

• Real names or physical addresses
• Payment information
• Precise location data
• Device identifiers beyond what Firebase and Google AdSense collect automatically (see section 5)

3. How We Use Your Information

• To create and manage your account
• To save your game progress, statistics and streak
• To power leaderboards and enable competitive features
• To enable live multiplayer matchmaking (Race Mode, Tic-Tac-Toe Mode)
• To deliver in-game messages (friend requests, grid challenges)

4. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

• Contract: Processing is necessary to provide the game service you have signed up for (e.g. saving your account, enabling leaderboards).
• Legitimate Interests: We may process aggregated, anonymised game statistics to improve the game experience.
• Consent: Where consent is required for advertising cookies, it is obtained and recorded through Google's consent management for publishers before those cookies are used, and you may withdraw it at any time (see section 8).

5. Third-Party Services

We use Google Firebase to power the game. This includes:

• Firebase Authentication — stores your email address and password hash securely.
• Cloud Firestore — stores your game data, statistics, and profile.
• Firebase Hosting — serves the website.

Google's data processing is governed by the Firebase Privacy Policy. Firebase servers may be located in the United States and the European Union. By using The Ultimate Grid, you acknowledge that your data may be processed in these regions.

We also use Google AdSense to serve advertisements. Google and its partners may use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads and, where you have consented, to personalise them based on your browsing activity. Google acts as an independent controller for this processing. You can learn more at Google's Privacy Policy and at How Google uses information from sites that use its services.

6. Data Retention

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. If you wish to delete your account and all associated data, please contact us at admin@theultimategrid.com and we will process your request within 30 days.

7. Your Rights (UK GDPR)

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate data (your gamertag can be updated in-game).
• Erasure: Request deletion of your account and all associated data.
• Restriction: Request that we limit how we process your data.
• Portability: Request your data in a portable, machine-readable format.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.

To exercise any of these rights, contact: admin@theultimategrid.com

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

8. Cookies and Browser Storage

The Ultimate Grid uses browser session storage and Firebase authentication cookies to keep you logged in between visits. We do not use any first-party tracking or marketing cookies.

Google AdSense sets its own cookies to serve and personalise advertising. You can review and adjust how Google personalises ads for you at myadcenter.google.com, and you can opt out of personalised advertising from participating vendors at optout.aboutads.info. Your browser settings also let you block or delete cookies for this site at any time.

9. Children's Privacy

The Ultimate Grid is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has created an account, please contact admin@theultimategrid.com and we will delete the account promptly.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date at the top. Continued use of the service following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact

For any privacy-related enquiries, please contact: admin@theultimategrid.com