This Privacy Policy describes how Game Hound ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects your information. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data in compliance with global standards, including the GDPR (Europe), CCPA (California, USA), and LGPD (Brazil).
1. Information We Collect
To provide our library and wishlist management features, we collect the following types of information:
Authentication and Profile Data: When you log in with your Google account, we receive your name, email address, and profile picture.
Game Library Data: We collect the list of games you own and your wishlists for synchronization and organizational purposes within the App.
Telemetry and Observability Data: We collect technical data regarding app performance and backend stability. This includes device models, operating system versions, IP addresses, crash logs, and error traces. This data is pseudonymized and processed only for diagnostic and security purposes.
2. How We Use Your Data
The data we collect is processed to:
Synchronize your game library across different devices.
Enrich your experience with metadata (covers, descriptions, ratings) obtained via the IGDB API.
Monitor catalog changes (such as tracking IGDB deletion reports) to keep your library accurate.
Identify and fix bugs: We use telemetry data to monitor backend synchronization performance and diagnose mobile application crashes, ensuring a stable service.
Legal Bases for Processing: We process your data under the following lawful bases required by the GDPR and LGPD:
Contract Performance: Authentication data and game library data are processed to provide the core Service you requested (account provisioning, library synchronization, metadata enrichment).
Consent: By logging in with Google and creating an account, you consent to the collection of your profile data. You may withdraw consent at any time by deleting your account.
Legitimate Interests: Telemetry and observability data are processed to maintain service stability, diagnose technical issues, and ensure the security of our infrastructure.
3. International Data Transfers
Notice: Our core servers and databases are located in the United States. By using Game Hound, you acknowledge and consent that your personal data will be transferred to and stored outside your country of residence. We implement appropriate safeguards, including the European Commission's 2021 Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) for data transfers, to ensure this transfer meets the security requirements of the GDPR and LGPD.
4. Data Sharing and Third Parties
We do not sell your personal data. We only share information with trusted third parties in the following scenarios:
Infrastructure Providers: Cloud hosting services required to keep our backend and databases operational.
Observability Services: Third-party monitoring tools used exclusively for logging errors, tracking application performance, and analyzing crash reports.
External APIs: Communication with Steam and IGDB to fetch and validate game information.
Legal Obligations: If we are required to do so by law or subpoena.
5. Your Privacy Rights (GDPR, CCPA & LGPD)
Depending on your jurisdiction, you have the right to:
Access and Portability: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data.
Deletion (Right to be Forgotten): Request the permanent deletion of your account and all associated personal data from our active databases.
Opt-Out: California residents have the right to opt-out of the "sale" of personal data. As stated, we do not sell your data.
To exercise these rights, please contact us at: gamehound@gamehound.app.
6. Data Security
We implement technical and organizational security measures, including SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit and strict access controls on our servers, to protect your information against unauthorized access, loss, or alteration.
7. Data Retention
We retain your data only for as long as necessary to provide the Service. If you choose to delete your account, your data will be removed from our active systems within 30 days, except for information we are legally required to retain.
8. Contact Us
If you have any questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact our Data Protection Officer at: gamehound@gamehound.app.