Afterglow - Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 2025-08-01
Last Updated: 2025-08-01

1. Introduction

Shadow Council Games ("we," "us," or "our") operates the mobile game Afterglow ("Game" or "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Game.
By playing Afterglow, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

  • Account Information: Email address, username, password (encrypted)
  • Profile Information: Character names, customization choices
  • Communication Data: In-game messages, support tickets, feedback
  • Payment Information: Processed by third-party payment providers (we do not store payment details)

2.2 Game Data

  • Gameplay Information: Character progression, items, achievements, quest completion
  • Social Interactions: Guild membership, player trading, PvP activities
  • Game Analytics: Play sessions, feature usage, progression metrics
  • Economy Data: Market transactions, resource gathering, crafting activities

2.3 Device and Technical Information

  • Device Information: Device type, operating system, device identifiers
  • Network Information: IP address, connection type
  • App Performance: Crash reports, error logs, performance metrics
  • Location Data: General location (country/region) for server selection and regional content

2.4 Automatically Collected Information

  • Usage Analytics: How you interact with game features
  • Session Data: Login times, session duration, frequency of play
  • Technical Logs: Server interactions, API calls, security events

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Game Operation

  • Provide and maintain the Game service
  • Enable multiplayer functionality and social features
  • Save and sync your game progress
  • Facilitate player-to-player trading and interactions
  • Manage the in-game economy and prevent exploitation

3.2 Improvement and Development

  • Analyze gameplay patterns to improve game balance
  • Develop new features and content
  • Fix bugs and technical issues
  • Optimize game performance

3.3 Communication

  • Send important game updates and maintenance notifications
  • Provide customer support
  • Respond to your inquiries and feedback
  • Send promotional content (with your consent)

3.4 Safety and Security

  • Prevent cheating, fraud, and abuse
  • Enforce our Terms of Service
  • Protect against unauthorized access
  • Monitor for suspicious activities

3.5 Legal Compliance

  • Comply with applicable laws and regulations
  • Respond to legal requests and court orders
  • Protect our rights and property

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 We Do Not Sell Personal Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties.

4.2 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

  • Cloud hosting and data storage
  • Analytics and performance monitoring
  • Payment processing
  • Customer support
  • Marketing services (with your consent)

4.3 Other Players

Certain information is visible to other players:

  • Character names and appearance
  • Guild membership and activities
  • Public chat messages
  • Leaderboards and achievements
  • Trading activities

4.4 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

4.5 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or to:

  • Comply with legal processes
  • Enforce our Terms of Service
  • Protect the rights, property, or safety of our users
  • Investigate fraud or security issues

5. Data Storage and Security

5.1 Data Security Measures

  • Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
  • Regular security audits and monitoring
  • Access controls and authentication systems
  • Secure server infrastructure

5.2 Data Retention

  • Account data: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after deletion
  • Game progress: Stored to enable gameplay continuity
  • Analytics data: Aggregated and anonymized for long-term analysis
  • Support communications: Retained as needed for customer service

5.3 International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers.

6. Your Privacy Rights

6.1 Access and Control

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal information
  • Correct inaccurate information
  • Delete your account and associated data
  • Opt-out of promotional communications
  • Request data portability (where applicable)

6.2 Privacy Settings

Within the Game, you can:

  • Control who can contact you
  • Manage your profile visibility
  • Adjust communication preferences
  • Block or report other players

6.3 Marketing Communications

You can opt-out of promotional emails by:

  • Using the unsubscribe link in emails
  • Adjusting preferences in your account settings
  • Contacting us directly

7. Children's Privacy

Afterglow is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it promptly.
For users between 13-17, we recommend parental guidance and supervision.

8. Regional Privacy Rights

8.1 European Union (GDPR)

If you are in the EU, you have additional rights under GDPR:

  • Right to be forgotten
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to object to processing
  • Right to lodge complaints with supervisory authorities

8.2 California (CCPA)

California residents have specific rights under CCPA:

  • Right to know what personal information is collected
  • Right to delete personal information
  • Right to opt-out of sale (we don't sell information)
  • Right to non-discrimination

8.3 Australia (Privacy Act)

Australian users have rights under the Privacy Act:

  • Access to personal information
  • Correction of inaccurate information
  • Complaints process through the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

9. Third-Party Services

9.1 Analytics Services

We use analytics services to understand game usage:

  • Google Analytics for Games
  • Unity Analytics
  • Custom analytics systems

9.2 Social Media Integration

If you connect social media accounts:

  • We may access basic profile information (with permission)
  • You can disconnect these integrations at any time

9.3 Advertising

We may display advertisements through:

  • Third-party ad networks
  • Targeted advertising based on gameplay (non-personal data)
  • Opt-out options for personalized ads

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. When we do:

  • We will post the updated policy in the Game
  • We will notify you of significant changes
  • Continued use of the Game constitutes acceptance of changes

11. Contact Information

For privacy-related questions or requests:

12. Definitions

  • Personal Information: Information that identifies you as an individual
  • Game Data: Information related to your gameplay and progress
  • Device Information: Technical data about your device and connection
  • Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized usage statistics