Word Wheel is a mobile word puzzle game operated by Matthew McCarthy. This Privacy Policy explains what information Word Wheel collects, how it is used, how it is shared, and what choices you have.
This policy covers the Word Wheel iOS app and related Word Wheel web pages, including the support and privacy pages.
1. Summary
Word Wheel does not require an account, does not include user generated content, and does not include public profiles, chat, or social features. Normal gameplay can be used without providing a name, email address, phone number, or account password.
Word Wheel may use Apple iCloud/CloudKit to sync your progress across your own Apple devices, Apple StoreKit for in-app purchases, local notifications for daily puzzle reminders, and Google AdMob with Google's User Messaging Platform for ads and consent where required.
2. Information We Collect
Gameplay and Progress Information
Word Wheel may store gameplay information on your device and, if iCloud is available, in your private iCloud database so your progress can sync across your Apple devices.
- Completed levels and side quests
- Best star ratings
- Coins, hints, unlocked backgrounds, and other inventory state
- Daily puzzle progress
- Settings such as selected background and notification preference
This progress data is used only to operate the game, restore your state, and sync your state between your own devices. Word Wheel does not use a custom account system.
Support and Feedback
If you contact support through the support form or by email, Word Wheel may collect the information you choose to provide, such as your name, email address, device model, iOS version, app version, category, and message. This information is used to respond to your request and improve the app.
Purchases
Word Wheel may offer in-app purchases, such as removing ads or buying coins. Purchases are processed by Apple through the App Store. Word Wheel does not receive your credit card number, bank account, or full billing details. The app may receive StoreKit transaction information needed to unlock purchased items, restore purchases, prevent fraud, and provide support.
Ads, Consent, and Tracking Permission
Word Wheel may show ads to free users. Word Wheel uses Google AdMob for banner, interstitial, rewarded, and rewarded interstitial ads. Word Wheel uses Google's User Messaging Platform to request and store advertising consent choices where required, including in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.
Word Wheel may request App Tracking Transparency permission before showing consent prompts or requesting ads. If you allow tracking, Google and advertising partners may use the iOS advertising identifier and other data for personalized ads and ad measurement, subject to your consent choices and applicable law. If you deny tracking or decline consent, ads may still be shown, but they may be less personalized.
Depending on your settings, region, and consent choices, ad partners may process:
- Device identifiers
- Advertising identifier, if permitted by iOS and App Tracking Transparency
- IP address
- Approximate location inferred from IP address
- App interactions and ad performance data
- Device type, operating system, language, and technical information
- Consent status and privacy preferences
Notifications
Word Wheel may ask for permission to send local notifications, such as daily puzzle reminders. Local notifications are scheduled on your device. Word Wheel does not need a custom server account to send these reminders.
Diagnostics
Word Wheel may receive crash or diagnostic information from Apple or app infrastructure to help identify and fix bugs.
3. How We Use Information
Word Wheel uses information to:
- Operate the game and save progress
- Sync progress across your Apple devices using iCloud when available
- Deliver in-app purchases and restore purchases
- Show ads, rewarded ads, and ad consent choices
- Schedule local daily puzzle reminders if you allow notifications
- Respond to support and feedback
- Diagnose crashes, bugs, and gameplay issues
- Improve game balance, economy, and user experience
4. Sharing
Word Wheel does not sell personal information. Word Wheel may share information with service providers that help operate the app and website, including Apple, Google AdMob, Google User Messaging Platform, Resend, Vercel, and similar hosting, diagnostics, purchase, or support providers.
Word Wheel may also disclose information if required by law, to protect rights and safety, or in connection with a business transfer such as a merger or acquisition.
5. Your Choices
- You can enable or disable notifications in iOS Settings.
- You can manage App Tracking Transparency permission in iOS Settings.
- Where required, you can review or change Google ad consent choices through the app's privacy options.
- You can restore purchases through the app or Apple App Store systems.
- You can disable iCloud for the app in iOS Settings if you do not want progress synced through iCloud.
6. Children
Word Wheel is not intended for children under 13. The app is configured as 13+ in App Store Connect. Word Wheel does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information, please contact me so it can be addressed.
7. Retention
Gameplay progress is kept as long as needed to operate the app and preserve your saved state. Support messages may be retained as long as needed to respond, diagnose issues, and maintain records. Purchase records may be retained as needed to verify purchases and comply with legal or platform obligations.
8. Contact
For privacy questions, support requests, or feedback, contact mccarthy44@gmail.com.