Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Starclaim (“Starclaim,” “we,” “us”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use the Starclaim game and website (the “Service”). By using the Service you agree to this Policy. Starclaim is a free, ad-supported game that also offers an optional, one-time paid “Supporter Boost.” Real-money payments are handled by our payment processor, Stripe; we do not collect or store your full payment-card number. We receive only limited transaction details from Stripe, as described below.
1. Information we collect
- Account & identity. If you create an account, your email address or a third-party sign-in identifier (for example, a Google account ID) via our authentication provider, plus your chosen handle/empire name. You can also play as an anonymous guest, in which case we use a randomly generated identifier rather than your real identity.
- Game progress. Your in-game state — Stardust balance, claimed territory, sovereignty, expansion, and the names you assign — so we can save and restore your empire across sessions and devices.
- User content. Names and labels you submit (empire, galaxy, system names), which are stored and may be visible to other players.
- Purchase & transaction data. If you buy an optional Supporter Boost, our payment processor (Stripe) collects the payment details needed to complete the transaction under Stripe’s own privacy policy. We receive and store only limited transaction information — for example a Stripe checkout/session and payment identifier, the amount, currency, the tier purchased, and the date — and we use it to deliver your purchase, keep records, and prevent fraud. We do not receive or store your full card number.
- Usage & device data. Basic logs and analytics such as approximate actions, session timing, browser/device type, and general (non-precise) location inferred from IP, used to operate, secure, and improve the Service.
- Local storage. We store preferences and flags (for example, your handle, settings, and whether you have seen the tutorial) in your browser’s local storage.
- Advertising data. If you choose to watch optional rewarded ads or play through a third-party game portal, advertising partners may collect data (such as device identifiers and interaction data) under their own policies (see Section 5).
2. How we use information
We use information to:
- provide, operate, save, and restore your gameplay and account;
- process optional purchases, deliver them, keep required financial records, and prevent payment fraud;
- secure the Service and prevent cheating, abuse, and fraud;
- understand and improve the Service through analytics;
- show optional advertising and measure rewards; and
- comply with law and enforce our Terms.
3. Legal bases (EEA/UK)
Where the GDPR or UK GDPR applies, we process information to perform our contract with you (running the game, your account, and any purchase you make), for our legitimate interests (securing and improving the Service, basic analytics, preventing fraud), with your consent where required (for example, certain advertising/analytics cookies), and to comply with legal obligations (for example, tax and accounting records for purchases).
4. How we share information
We do not sell your personal information for money. We share information with:
- Service providers who run the Service on our behalf — for example authentication, database, and storage (such as Supabase), hosting/CDN, analytics (such as Vercel Analytics), and payment processing (Stripe).
- Advertising / game-portal partners that serve optional ads or distribute the game, subject to their own privacy practices.
- Other players, who can see public information such as your handle/empire name and the names you assign to territory.
- Legal & safety recipients when we believe disclosure is needed to comply with law, enforce our Terms, or protect rights, safety, and the Service.
- Business transfers — in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, subject to this Policy.
Some advertising or analytics partners may use cookies or identifiers to deliver or measure ads; depending on your jurisdiction this may be considered “sharing” or “targeted advertising.” See Section 7 for your choices.
5. Cookies, local storage & similar technologies
We use local storage and similar technologies to keep you signed in and remember preferences. Third-party analytics and advertising partners may set their own cookies or use device identifiers. You can usually control cookies through your browser settings; blocking some may affect functionality.
Advertising partners. We work with third-party advertising partners (which may include Google and Google-affiliated ad networks) to display ads. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to Starclaim and other websites, and Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on those visits. You can opt out of personalized advertising in Google Ads Settings, opt out of some other vendors’ cookies at aboutads.info/choices, and read how Google uses data from sites that use its services at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites. Where required by law, we will ask for your consent before advertising cookies are set.
6. Data retention
We keep information for as long as needed to provide the Service and your account, to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Records of purchases and payments may be retained longer where needed to comply with tax, accounting, and other legal obligations. We may delete or anonymize inactive guest data and reset game data when we rebalance or wipe the universe.
7. Your choices & rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, port, or restrict/object to the processing of your personal information, and to withdraw consent. Residents of California and certain other US states may have rights under the CCPA/CPRA and similar laws, including to access or delete information, to opt out of “sale” or “sharing” of personal information for targeted advertising, and not to be discriminated against for exercising those rights. To exercise any right, contact us at privacy@starclaim.space. We will verify and respond as required by law. You can also delete your account, which removes associated personal data subject to legal retention.
8. Children’s privacy
Starclaim is a general-audience game and is not directed to children under 13(or the higher minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under that age. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.
9. International transfers
We and our providers may process information in countries other than where you live, including the United States. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for cross-border transfers.
10. Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information, but no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
11. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by the “Last updated” date above and, where appropriate, additional notice.
Privacy questions or requests? Contact privacy@starclaim.space.