Privacy Policy – Sudoku Pulse

Sudoku Pulse is developed and published by Privy Central.

Your privacy is important to us. Sudoku Pulse is designed with privacy in mind. Most gameplay data is stored locally on your device. When AI coaching features are enabled, anonymous gameplay patterns are processed by Anthropic's Claude AI (privacy policy) to provide personalised insights. This policy describes how we handle your information.

Overview

The Short Version:

  • ✓ Most gameplay data is stored locally on your device
  • ✓ AI coaching sends anonymous game patterns (no personal info) to generate insights
  • ✓ AI features can be disabled in Settings — all data stays on device
  • ✓ No ads, no tracking, no advertising analytics
  • ✓ No account required to play
  • ✓ Optional Game Center integration for leaderboards (can be disabled)
  • ✓ We don't collect or sell your personal data

Data Collection

Sudoku Pulse does not collect, store, or share any personal information such as your name, email, location, or device identifiers. The app does not require user accounts or logins to play.

All game progress, settings, achievements, and statistics are stored locally on your device using Apple's SwiftData framework.

AI-Powered Coaching Insights

Sudoku Pulse includes optional AI coaching features that provide personalised gameplay insights. When enabled, the following anonymous gameplay data is sent to Anthropic's Claude AI (privacy policy) for processing:

  • Move patterns: which cells you solve and in what order
  • Timing data: how long you spend on each move
  • Game outcomes: whether you won, lost, mistakes made, hints used
  • Strategy patterns: your detected solving approach (e.g., row-based, box-based)
  • Difficulty level: the puzzle difficulty you played

What is NOT sent

  • Your name, email, or contact information
  • Your device identifier or location. Note: as with any internet connection, your device's IP address is visible to the receiving server during transmission but is not included in the gameplay data sent and is not used to identify you.
  • Your Apple ID or Game Center identity
  • Any information that could identify you personally

How AI Data is Processed

  • Purpose: To generate personalised coaching tips, post-game analysis, and challenge recommendations
  • Processing: Data is sent via encrypted HTTPS connection to Anthropic, processed in real-time, and a text response is returned
  • Storage: The AI service processes data transiently. Under commercial API terms, inputs are not used for model training and are retained for a maximum of 30 days for safety monitoring only
  • No profiles: The AI service does not build user profiles or track individuals across sessions

How to Disable AI Features

  • Go to Settings → AI Coach → AI Insights → Toggle off
  • When disabled, no gameplay data is sent externally
  • All coaching features continue to work using on-device rule-based analysis
  • You can re-enable AI insights at any time

Game Center Integration OPTIONAL

Sudoku Pulse offers optional integration with Apple Game Center for leaderboards and achievements. This feature is:

  • Completely Optional: You can play the full game without enabling Game Center
  • Can Be Disabled: Turn off Game Center integration at any time in Settings
  • Requires Apple Account: You must be signed in to Game Center in your device settings

What Data is Shared with Apple Game Center

If you choose to enable Game Center integration, the following data is shared with Apple's Game Center service:

  • Player Identification: Your Game Center player ID and display name
  • Leaderboard Scores: Your total XP earned and daily challenge completion times
  • Achievement Progress: Which achievements you've unlocked and when
  • Public Visibility: Your scores and display name may be visible to other players on global leaderboards

How to Control Game Center

  • Disable in App: Go to Settings → Game Center → Toggle off
  • Disable System-Wide: iOS Settings → Game Center → Sign out
  • Note: Disabling Game Center prevents future data sharing but does not delete previously shared data from Apple's servers

Apple's Privacy Policy

Game Center data shared with Apple is subject to Apple's privacy policy:
https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/

Local Storage

The following data is stored on your device:

  • Game progress (current puzzle state, saved games)
  • Settings and preferences (sounds, haptics, visual options)
  • Statistics (games completed, best times, accuracy rates)
  • Progression data (XP, levels, badges, titles)
  • Achievement progress and unlock dates
  • Daily challenge history and streak data

Offline Use

All core gameplay features work fully offline. You can play Sudoku puzzles, earn XP, unlock achievements, and track statistics without an internet connection.

Internet Required For:

  • AI coaching insights (if AI Insights is enabled in Settings)
  • Game Center leaderboard syncing (if enabled)
  • Game Center achievement syncing (if enabled)

Internet NOT Required For:

  • Playing Sudoku puzzles (all difficulty levels)
  • Earning XP and leveling up
  • Unlocking local achievements
  • Viewing statistics and progress
  • Daily challenges (puzzle generation is local)

Third-Party Services

Sudoku Pulse does not use:

  • Analytics services (no Firebase, Google Analytics, etc.)
  • Advertising networks (no ads whatsoever)
  • Tracking tools or crash reporters
  • Social media SDKs
  • Payment processors (no in-app purchases currently)

Third-Party Services Used:

  • Anthropic Claude AI (optional, can be disabled in Settings) — processes anonymous gameplay patterns to generate personalised coaching insights. No personal information is shared. Data is processed transiently and not used for model training. Anthropic Privacy Policy
  • Apple Game Center (optional, can be disabled) — for leaderboards and achievements as described above.
  • Apple CloudKit — stores anonymous aggregate gameplay statistics (total solves, average times) in a public database. This data is fully anonymous — it contains no user identifiers, device information, or personal data. The public database stores only three aggregate counter records (one per difficulty level) that are incremented by all players collectively. No individual player data can be identified or retrieved.

Data Backup and iCloud

Your game data may be included in your device's standard iCloud or iTunes backup if you have device backups enabled. This is controlled by your iOS backup settings and follows Apple's backup policies. We do not have access to your backup data.

Support Communication

If you contact us for support or feedback at support@privycentral.com, your email address will be used only to respond to your request. We will not:

  • Add you to mailing lists without explicit consent
  • Share your email with third parties
  • Use your email for marketing purposes
  • Retain your email longer than necessary to resolve your inquiry

Children's Privacy

Sudoku Pulse does not knowingly collect any personal information from children or users of any age. The app:

  • Does not require registration or account creation
  • Does not collect names, addresses, or contact information
  • Does not include social features or chat

For parents and guardians: When AI Insights is enabled, anonymous gameplay patterns (move timing, strategy) are sent to Anthropic's Claude AI (privacy policy) for coaching insights. No personal information is included. If you prefer no data to leave the device, disable AI Insights in Settings → AI Coach. All coaching features will continue to work using on-device analysis.

Game Center can also be disabled in the app's Settings or in iOS system settings.

Data Security

Since most game data is stored locally on your device, its security depends on your device's security measures (passcode, Face ID, Touch ID, etc.). We recommend:

  • Using a device passcode or biometric lock
  • Keeping your iOS software up to date
  • Enabling Find My iPhone in case of device loss

Data Deletion

To delete all local game data:

  1. Delete the Sudoku Pulse app from your device
  2. This will permanently remove all local progress, statistics, and settings

To delete Game Center data:

  1. Disable Game Center in the app's Settings first
  2. Contact Apple Support to request deletion of Game Center data
  3. We do not have access to delete Game Center data on Apple's servers

App Store Privacy Labels

As required by Apple's App Store privacy labels, we disclose:

Data Collected

  • If AI Insights Enabled:
    • Usage Data (anonymous gameplay patterns, timing, strategy)
    • Not linked to your identity
    • Not used for tracking
    • Can be disabled in Settings
  • If Game Center Enabled:
    • User ID (Game Center player ID)
    • Gameplay Content (scores, times, achievements)
    • Linked to your Game Center identity
    • Not used for tracking
  • If both disabled: No data collected or transmitted

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in the app's features or legal requirements. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.

Material changes (such as adding new data collection) will be communicated through:

  • Updated privacy policy on this page
  • App Store update description
  • In-app notification (if applicable)

Continued use of the app after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal data under laws such as GDPR (Europe) or CCPA (California). Since we don't collect personal data directly, these rights primarily apply to Game Center data controlled by Apple.

You have the right to:

  • Access your data (view your local game data in-app)
  • Delete your data (delete the app or use Start Fresh in Settings)
  • Opt-out of AI data processing (disable AI Insights in Settings)
  • Opt-out of Game Center (disable in Settings)
  • Request information about data practices (contact us)

International Users

Sudoku Pulse is available worldwide. Most data storage and processing occurs locally on your device, regardless of your location.

If you enable AI Insights, anonymous gameplay data may be processed on servers located in the United States. No personal information is included in this data.

If you enable Game Center, your data is processed by Apple according to their international data transfer policies and privacy practices.

Legal Compliance

This privacy policy complies with:

  • Apple App Store Guidelines
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
  • Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy or your data, please contact us:

Email: support@privycentral.com
Developer: Privy Central
Website: https://privycentral.com/sudokupulse

We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within 30 days.

Last updated: April 12, 2026
Effective date: April 12, 2026