Privacy Policy
Oware Heritage • Effective 30 October 2026
This policy explains what information the Oware Heritage game ("the game", "we", "us") collects, why, who can see it, and how to delete it. It applies to the Oware Heritage apps for Android and iPhone/iPad and to the web version at oware-world.expo.app.
Who the game is for
Oware Heritage is intended for players aged 13 and over. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 13. If you believe someone under 13 has an account, contact us (below) and we will delete it.
What we collect
| Information | What it is | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Guest account ID | A random code created the first time you go online. It is not linked to your email, phone or name unless you choose to sign in (below). | To keep your online games, points and profile together. |
| Email sign-in (optional) | If you choose "Sign in with your email" in the Profile tab: your email address, and the one-time 6-digit code we email you (no password). Your email is never shown to other players. | So your name, Cowries and progress follow you to another phone or the website. |
| Google Play Games (Android, optional) | If you are signed in to Google Play Games on your phone: your Play Games player ID, and your Play Games name if you choose to use it as your player name. | To bring your progress back automatically on a new Android phone. |
| Player profile | The player name you type, the avatar and portrait frame you pick, and the country you choose. | Shown to opponents, spectators and on the Rankings. |
| Scores and results | Online wins and losses, wins against the computer, random matches played, ranking points, and when you were last active. | Rankings, matchmaking, and finding a live opponent. |
| Online games | Game codes, the rules chosen, every move and collect, and the result. | So both phones show the same board, and so friends can watch. |
| Name reports | If you report a player's name: your guest account ID, their guest account ID, the name reported, the reason you pick, and the time. | To review and remove offensive names and keep the game safe. |
| Purchases | If you buy something with real money: which item, a receipt code from Apple or Google, the purchase date, and your guest account ID. We never receive your card details, billing address or store email. | To unlock what you bought and restore it on a new device. |
| Cheers | Cheers and emojis you send while watching a game (chosen from a fixed list), with your player name. | Shown to the players and other spectators of that game. |
| Comments | Short comments (up to 80 characters, no links) you type while watching a game, with your player name, and the quick reaction a player sends back. Rude words are filtered out. Comments are not stored — they pass live to whoever is watching and are gone afterwards. The one exception: if a player reports a comment as offensive, that comment, the sender's name and account id are kept so we can review it and act on it; reports are deleted once reviewed, and at the latest after 12 months. | Shown live to the players and other spectators of that game. |
| Progress backup | A copy of your game save: your Cowries (play coins with no cash value), items you have unlocked or rented, any plan you have open (which plan, when it ends, and your picks), cities visited, daily streak, quiz and level progress, player name and settings (including your screen language) — plus a restore code made for you. | So you don't lose your progress if you change phones or reinstall: sign in with your email, or enter your restore code (Profile tab), to bring it back. |
| Friend invites | If you use a friend's invite code: which account invited which, and whether each of you has collected the reward. | To pay both players the invite reward once. |
| Quiz race (online games) | Which player answered a set's fun-fact question right first. | To give the reward to the first right answer only. |
| Chat with your opponent | Messages (up to 80 characters, no links; rude words are filtered) you send to the other player in an online game, with your player name. Chat is not stored — it passes live to your opponent and anyone watching that game, and is gone afterwards. If a message is reported, it is kept for review as described for comments above. | So players can talk during a game. |
| Twitch chat (streamers only) | If you enter your Twitch channel name, the game reads that channel's public chat while Streamer mode is on, to show it on your screen. Your device connects directly to Twitch for this, under Twitch's privacy notice; nothing is stored or sent to us. | Your device only. |
Your game save is kept on your device and, as a backup, in your online account (see "Progress backup" above). Anyone who has your restore code can copy that progress to their own device, so keep the code private.
What we do not collect
- No email address, phone number or real name is needed to play (email sign-in is optional).
- No precise location — the country on your profile is one you pick yourself.
- No contacts, photos, camera or microphone access.
- No advertising networks, no advertising IDs, and no third-party analytics or tracking.
- No card or bank details — purchases are handled entirely by Apple or Google.
Permissions on your device
The game asks for a permission only when you use the feature that needs it, and you can turn it off at any time in your phone's settings:
- Media & Apple Music (iPhone/iPad) — only if you tap the Apple Music control, so the game can play, pause and skip your own music. What you listen to stays on your device; nothing is sent to us.
- Local network — only when you use the TV button, to find a Chromecast or Google TV on your Wi-Fi. Nothing about your network is sent to us.
Who can see your information
- Other players: your player name, avatar, country and points appear on the Rankings, and to anyone you play against.
- Spectators: games against random opponents are listed in the Watch room while they are being played; a game with a friend can be watched by anyone who has its game code. Spectators see the board, the player names and countries, the score and cheers.
- Service providers that run the game for us, who may only use the information to provide their service: Supabase (the online database and guest sign-in) and Expo (hosting for the web version, the read-aloud voice recordings and app updates), Google (Gmail), which delivers the sign-in code email if you choose to sign in with your email, and, if you make a purchase, RevenueCat (which checks your Apple or Google receipt and remembers what you own) together with Apple or Google, who process the payment under their own privacy policies. Like any website, their servers briefly record technical details such as your IP address to deliver the service and keep it secure.
Casting to a TV: if you use the Cast button, your phone connects to your TV through Google's Cast service. Sponsored tournaments: a tournament may show a sponsor's name, logo and prize. The logo loads from the sponsor's or a hosting website, which briefly sees your IP address, and tapping the banner opens their website under their own privacy policy. We do not give sponsors your information.
Streamer mode and QR invites: if you turn on Streamer mode, the game shows your game code and a QR code on screen so viewers can join. Anyone who sees your stream can use it, so only switch it on when you are happy to play with your audience. Streamer mode also hides pop-ups but does not send anything extra to us.
We do not sell or rent your information, and we do not share it for advertising.
How long we keep it
We keep your online information for as long as you have an account. When you delete your account, it is removed from our database straight away; copies in our providers' routine backups are overwritten within 30 days. Information stored only on your device stays there until you delete your account, clear the game's data or uninstall it.
Deleting your account and data
In the game: open the Profile tab → Privacy & Account → Delete my account, and confirm.
This permanently deletes your online account and profile, your progress backup and restore code, your ranking points, the online games you hosted (with their moves and cheers) and every cheer you sent. In games you joined, your seat is left empty. It also wipes everything the game saved on that device, and the game starts fresh. This cannot be undone.
Can't open the game? Email us at the address below with the subject "Delete my account" and the player name you use, and we will delete your account within 30 days.
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to see the information we hold about you, correct it, delete it, or object to how it is used. You can change your name, avatar and country at any time in the game, and delete everything as described above. For anything else, contact us.
Purchase records may need to be kept for longer where tax or consumer law requires it; Apple and Google keep their own purchase records under their policies.
Security
Information travels between the game and our servers over encrypted connections (HTTPS). Database rules make sure each player can only change their own profile and only play in their own games. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to protect your information.
Changes to this policy
If we change this policy we will update this page and the date at the top. Important changes will also be announced in the game.
Contact
Questions, requests or deletion requests: owareheritage@gmail.com