Privacy Policy

Overview

Alchemy Lab ("the App") is a mobile discovery game developed by Hearth & Hammer, LLC, operating under the Forgebound Labs game studio label. We want you to know exactly what happens with your data, so this page spells it out in plain language.

The Short Version

• We don't collect your name, email, or contacts. The App creates an anonymous account automatically so your progress can be backed up and restored if you reinstall.
• The App shows optional rewarded ads through Google AdMob and uses Google's Firebase for the progress backup, remote settings, and anonymous gameplay analytics.
• You're in control. You choose whether to allow tracking, Reset All Progress erases your backup, and buying Remove Ads turns the ad service off entirely.

Data We Collect

Alchemy Lab doesn't ask for your name, email address, or any login details. When you first open the App, it creates an anonymous account with a random ID. That ID is kept in your device's secure Keychain so it survives a reinstall, and it isn't tied to your name or Apple ID.

Your progress (discovered elements, recipes, workshop state, and the in-game economy) is stored on your device and backed up to our cloud under that anonymous ID, so a reinstall can pick up where you left off. Settings and your purchase status stay on the device.

The App also uses the third-party services described below. Those services receive limited data to do their jobs.

Third-Party Services

• Google AdMob. Shows optional rewarded ads (hints, unlocks, and speed-ups). AdMob may collect device identifiers (including your device's advertising identifier, but only if you allow tracking), your IP address (used to estimate your general location), ad interactions, and crash and performance diagnostics. Google uses this data to show and measure ads and for analytics. See Google's Privacy Policy and how Google uses information from apps that use its services.
• Firebase Authentication and Cloud Firestore (Google). Provide the anonymous account and store your progress backup. The backup holds your discovery, workshop, and economy state plus a timestamp. See Firebase's privacy information.
• Firebase Remote Config (Google). Lets us adjust app settings and gameplay tuning without an update. It receives your device's country, language, time zone, operating system version, and app details, along with a Firebase installation ID. See Firebase's privacy information.
• Google Analytics for Firebase. Records anonymous gameplay events so we can see how the game is played: unlocking and opening the Workshop, opening the shop, reaching milestones, mastery tiers, decorations unlocked, and steps in the Extra Slot purchase flow. Firebase also records standard app events and device details (model, operating system version, app version, and general location from your IP address). This data is tied to the installation ID, not to you. See Firebase's privacy information.
• Apple StoreKit. Processes the Remove Ads and Extra Workshop Slot purchases. Transactions are handled entirely by Apple, and we never see your payment information.

Tracking and Your Choices

• Tracking permission. When the App first opens, it asks once whether it may track your activity across other companies' apps and websites. If you choose "Ask App Not to Track," your advertising identifier isn't shared and you'll still see ads, just not ones personalized by that tracking. You can change this any time in Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking.
• Reset All Progress. Choosing Reset All Progress in Settings erases your progress on the device and deletes your cloud backup.
• Remove Ads. Buying Remove Ads turns ads off entirely. The App doesn't start the ad service at all, so AdMob receives nothing.

In-App Purchases

Alchemy Lab offers a one-time "Remove Ads" purchase and an "Extra Workshop Slot" purchase. When Remove Ads is purchased, all advertisements are permanently removed from the App. These purchases are processed and managed by Apple. We don't collect or store any payment information.

Children's Privacy

Alchemy Lab is a general-audience game and isn't directed to children under 13. We don't knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. The App doesn't ask for any personal details and has no chat or social features. If you believe a child has provided personal information through a third-party service in the App, please contact us.

Data Retention

Your progress backup is kept under your anonymous ID until you reset your progress, which deletes it. We can't tell which backup is yours from your name or email, because we never have those. If you'd like a backup removed and resetting isn't an option, contact us with details from the App and we'll do what we can. Data on your device is removed when you delete the App. Analytics and ad data received by Google is retained under Google's own policies, linked above.

Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, delete, or object to the use of your personal information, or to opt out of targeted advertising. The fastest controls are Reset All Progress in the App, the Tracking setting on your device, and Google's own privacy tools. If you'd like help with any of these, contact us and we'll do what we can.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected on this page with an updated revision date. Continued use of the App after changes means you accept the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy, please contact us at:

support@hearthandhammer.ai