Privacy Policy for Hearthwood Blocks 🧩

✨ Executive Summary (TL;DR)

1. Pure Offline-First Architecture & Design

Hearthwood Blocks is engineered by NEURON TS LABS as a tranquil, distraction-free wooden block puzzle game. The software is constructed on an offline-first architectural paradigm:

• Autonomous Client Execution: The core game loops, spatial matrix collision algorithms, grid line clearing logic, and score computations run entirely in device memory.
• No Remote Game Backend: NEURON TS LABS does not host or operate remote gameplay servers, multiplayer matchmakers, or cloud leaderboards. Your personal game statistics belong strictly to your physical hardware.
• Complete Session Anonymity: You are never assigned a persistent server-side user ID, behavioral tracking profile, or cross-device identification vector.

2. Information Processed on Your Device

All data processed by Hearthwood Blocks is localized within the private Android application sandbox:

🪵 A. Game State & Board Progress

• Active Boards: Unfinished grid layouts for Classic, Tactic, and Bomb game modes are cached locally so you can resume exactly where you left off.
• Spawned Pieces: The current active set of random three-piece block configurations awaiting placement.

🏆 B. High Scores, Statistics & Achievements

• Personal Bests: High score records across game modes, total lines cleared, combo streaks, and daily puzzle completion timestamps.
• In-Game Economy: Unlocked wooden textures, tile themes, and coin balances earned through gameplay or optional rewarded bonuses.

⚙️ C. Audio, Haptic & Display Preferences

Volume levels for peaceful ambient music, wood-clack sound effects, haptic tactile vibration toggles, and screen orientation preferences are retained locally via Android Preferences / DataStore.

3. Explicit Data Non-Collection Manifest

NEURON TS LABS maintains strict boundaries against harvesting private player information. Hearthwood Blocks does NOT collect, read, monitor, or monetize any of the following:

4. Android System Permissions Transparency

Hearthwood Blocks adheres strictly to the principle of minimal permissions. We request only the minimal system access required for tactile tactile polish and optional rewarded advertising:

Note: If you play entirely in Airplane Mode or without an active internet connection, Hearthwood Blocks remains 100% playable with zero disruption.

5. Third-Party Services & Rewarded Advertising

To provide a free, unlimited game experience without charging upfront fees or subscription paywalls, Hearthwood Blocks integrates non-intrusive advertising:

🎬 Google Mobile Ads (AdMob) Rewarded Placements

• Voluntary Player Trigger: Rewarded video ads are never forced. They load strictly when you voluntarily tap an in-game prompt to receive bonus coins.
• Data Handled by AdMob: Google's SDK may process ephemeral technical parameters such as coarse IP location (for language localization), device model, OS build, and advertising identifiers (Google Advertising ID / GAID).
• Zero Access to Game Progress: Google AdMob has zero access to your local puzzle boards, high score data, or game statistics.
• Privacy Controls & Opt-Out: You can manage or reset your advertising ID anytime via Android Settings > Google > Ads, or review the Google Privacy Policy.

6. Local Storage Sandboxing & Instant Erasure

• Hardware Isolation: All game data is stored in Android's private, encrypted-by-default app sandbox (/data/data/com.neurontslabs.hearthwoodblocks/), shielded from access by other applications installed on your phone.
• Instant In-App Data Wipe: You possess absolute ownership over your game progress. Tapping 'Reset Saved Data' in the Settings menu immediately and permanently wipes all boards, high scores, statistics, and unlocked themes from your device's flash storage.
• Clean Uninstallation: Uninstalling Hearthwood Blocks completely and automatically removes all associated sandbox records and preferences without leaving lingering residual files.

7. Children's Privacy (COPPA & Family Friendly)

Hearthwood Blocks is a family-friendly puzzle game suitable for audiences of all ages, including children. We strictly uphold global child protection standards, including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the EU GDPR Age of Digital Consent:

• We do not knowingly collect, store, or solicit personal identification data from children under 13 (or under 16 in applicable EU territories).
• AdMob configurations within the game are set to respect Google Play Family Policy guidelines, blocking inappropriate ad categories.
• Parents or guardians with questions regarding child privacy can reach out directly to our developer contact email for immediate assistance.

8. Global Legal Compliance & Player Rights

We honor statutory user rights across major global privacy jurisdictions:

• GDPR (European Economic Area & UK): Because game state processing occurs strictly on-device, your rights of access, portability, and erasure are satisfied in real time via the in-app interface and 'Reset Saved Data' function.
• CCPA / CPRA (California, USA): We do NOT sell or share personal player information with data brokers or commercial ad networks.
• DPDP Act (India): The application operates in strict compliance with digital purpose-limitation, collecting zero extraneous personal identifiers.

9. Google Play Console Data Safety Alignment

This reference summary matches the disclosures submitted to the Google Play Console Data Safety questionnaire:

10. Developer Governance & Contact

For any questions, legal inquiries, data protection clarifications, or feedback regarding Hearthwood Blocks, contact the developer directly:

• 👨‍💻 Developer Entity: NEURON TS LABS
• 🛠️ Lead Engineer: Mohd Tahir Shaikh
• 📧 Direct Support Email: shaikhtahir3162@gmail.com
• 🌐 Studio Portfolio: github.com/shaikhtahir3162-bit
• 📍 Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India