Privacy & Cookies

Data controller

booksleuth.club is an independent project operated by the site owner. If you have questions about this privacy notice or about how your data is handled, you can contact me at [email protected].

What data is collected

booksleuth.club uses three kinds of data. Some information is stored locally in your browser so the site can work properly, some anonymous, cookieless usage data is collected regardless of your cookie preference, and analytics data tied to a cookie is only collected if you choose to allow analytics cookies.

Data stored on your device

Game progress and your cookie preference are stored locally in your browser using localStorage. This information stays on your device and does not leave it or get sent to me.

If you clear your browser data, reset your browser, or use a different browser or device, this locally stored information may be lost.

Cookieless analytics

booksleuth.club uses Umami, a privacy-first analytics tool that does not use cookies, does not store any identifier in your browser, and cannot recognize you across visits or link activity back to you as an individual. Because it does not process personal data the way cookie-based analytics does, Umami runs regardless of your cookie preference.

Umami records anonymous, aggregate information such as which pages are viewed, which Story Sleuth puzzle is played and whether it's the daily puzzle, whether it was solved and how many guesses it took (including the titles guessed), when a player reaches a title, achievement, or badge milestone, and when the play-history export/import feature is used.

Analytics and cookies

If you consent to analytics cookies, booksleuth.club also uses Google Analytics to understand how visitors find and use the site. This may include information such as pages visited, approximate session and device information, country-level location, and similar usage data generated while you interact with the site.

Google Analytics is only activated if you give consent through the cookie banner or cookie settings control. You can use booksleuth.club without consenting to analytics cookies.

Why this data is used

Locally stored game progress and cookie preferences are used so the site can function properly and remember your choices.

Cookieless Umami analytics is used to understand puzzle difficulty and site usage in aggregate, and to share anonymous usage stats publicly (for example, how many people played or solved a given puzzle).

If you consent to analytics, analytics data is used to understand how people use booksleuth.club and to improve the site over time.

Legal basis for processing

Game progress and cookie preference are stored because they are necessary for the site to function properly and remember your settings.

Umami does not process personal data, so it does not rely on your consent. Its legal basis is legitimate interest under Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, in understanding anonymous, aggregate usage of the site.

Google Analytics is only used if you give consent. The legal basis for this processing is your consent under Article 6(1)(a) GDPR, and you can withdraw that consent at any time.

Who receives data

I do not sell your personal data.

Umami Software, Inc. processes anonymous, cookieless usage data (Umami Cloud) for website measurement purposes.

If you consent to analytics, Google LLC processes analytics data for website measurement purposes.

How your data is handled

Locally stored game progress and cookie preferences remain in your browser. This data does not leave your device and is not transmitted to me.

Umami's cookieless analytics data is processed by Umami Software, Inc. You can read more at umami.is.

If you consent to analytics, analytics data is processed by Google. Depending on how Google provides the service, data may be processed outside the EU or EEA. Where relevant, such processing may rely on Standard Contractual Clauses or other safeguards described by Google.

You can read more in Google's Privacy Policy.

How long data is kept

Game progress and cookie preferences remain in your browser until you clear your browser data, remove the site's local storage, or reset your browser.

Cookieless Umami analytics data is retained for up to 6 months.

Analytics data is retained according to the settings configured in Google Analytics and only for as long as needed for the purposes described above.

Changing or withdrawing consent

You can change your cookie choice at any time using the cookie settings control on this site.

If you withdraw consent, analytics cookies will no longer be used going forward. Withdrawal does not affect any processing that took place before consent was withdrawn.

Your rights under GDPR

If GDPR applies to you, you may have the right to request access to your personal data, rectification or deletion of personal data, restriction of processing, objection to processing where applicable, and data portability where applicable. You also have the right to withdraw consent at any time for processing based on consent.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.

Do you need to provide data?

You do not need to consent to analytics in order to use booksleuth.club.

If you block or delete locally stored game data, some site features such as saved progress or remembered settings may no longer work as expected.

Automated decision-making

booksleuth.club does not use your data for automated decision-making or profiling within the meaning of Article 22 GDPR.