This Privacy Policy explains what information the Spelling Bee Answers app (bundle identifier com.spellingbee.answers, available on the App Store for iOS, and also on Google Play for Android) collects, how that information is used, and the choices you have. By using the app, you agree to the practices described here.
Spelling Bee Answers is an independent, fan-made app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The New York Times or the NYT Spelling Bee puzzle.
1. Information we collect
Account information
If you create an account, we collect the email address you sign up with (a Gmail address is required) and your password. Your password is never stored or seen by us in plain text — it is handled entirely by Firebase Authentication (Google), which stores it in encrypted form. We do not require or perform email verification.
Subscription / plan status
If you purchase the ad-free subscription (monthly or yearly) through the App Store, we store your plan status, the product you purchased, and its expiry date in our database (Cloud Firestore), linked to your account. We do not store your payment card details — payments are processed entirely by Apple's In-App Purchase system.
Information stored only on your device
Which words and pangrams you've revealed in each puzzle are saved locally on your device only, so your progress is remembered between sessions. This information is not sent to our servers.
Advertising and device information
The app shows ads through Google AdMob. On iOS, before any tracking-related identifiers are used, the app asks for your permission through Apple's App Tracking Transparency framework. AdMob and its partners may collect device identifiers, general device information, approximate location, and app usage data to serve and measure ads. See Google's ad policy and how Google uses data from AdMob for details.
2. How we use your information
- To create and manage your account, and let you sign in.
- To track and apply your ad-free subscription status.
- To show ads, and — where required by law (see Section 4) — only personalized/tracking-based ads once you've given consent through App Tracking Transparency or Google's consent form.
- To respond if you contact us for support.
- To maintain the security and reliability of the app.
We do not sell your personal information.
3. Third-party services we use
The app relies on the following third-party services, each with its own privacy practices:
| Service | Purpose | Privacy policy |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase Authentication (Google) | Email/password sign-in | Firebase Privacy |
| Cloud Firestore (Google) | Stores your account and subscription status | Firebase Privacy |
| Google AdMob | Displays banner, interstitial, and rewarded ads | Google Privacy Policy |
| Apple In-App Purchase | Processes subscription payments | Apple Privacy Policy |
4. Advertising choices and consent
App Tracking Transparency (iOS): the app asks for your permission before using your device's advertising identifier for tracking. You can change your choice anytime in Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking on your device.
EEA, UK, and Switzerland: before showing personalized ads, we also use Google's User Messaging Platform (UMP) to ask for your consent. You can choose to allow only non-personalized ads, or manage/withdraw your choice at any time from within the app.
Subscribing to the ad-free plan removes all ads and stops ad-related data collection going forward.
5. Children's privacy
This app is not directed at children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your country) and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at the email below and we will delete it.
6. Data retention
We keep your account and subscription information for as long as your account is active. If you'd like your account and associated data deleted, you can do this directly from the app's Account tab, or email us (details below) and we'll process the request within a reasonable time.
7. Data security
We use industry-standard services (Firebase Authentication and Cloud Firestore) with encryption in transit and access controls to protect your information. No method of storage or transmission is 100% secure, so we can't guarantee absolute security.
8. Your rights and choices
- Access or delete your data: delete your account directly from the app, or email us to request a copy of your data.
- Manage your subscription: subscriptions are managed through your Apple ID account settings (Settings > your name > Subscriptions), where you can view, change, or cancel at any time.
- Ad tracking preferences: see Section 4 above.
- Log out: you can sign out from the Account tab in the app at any time.
Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under laws like the GDPR (EU/UK) or CCPA (California) — including the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information, and to object to certain processing. Contact us to exercise these rights.
9. International data transfers
Our service providers (Google/Firebase, Apple) may process and store data on servers located outside your country. By using the app, you consent to this transfer.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
11. Contact us
Questions, requests, or concerns about this policy or your data? Email us at:
onlineplagiarismremover@gmail.com