Contents
Section 01
Overview
The 5am Lab ("we," "our," or "us") operates the Sudoku Coach mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you use Sudoku Coach.
We take your privacy seriously. We collect only what we need to operate and improve the App, and we never sell your personal information to third parties.
By using Sudoku Coach, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the App.
Section 02
Data We Collect
Information you provide
- Account information (optional): If you create a Sudoku Coach account, we collect your email address and a hashed password. Account creation is entirely optional — you can use the App without registering.
- Display name (optional): You may provide a display name when creating an account.
Information collected automatically
- Game progress & preferences: Your puzzle progress, difficulty settings, hints used, and in-app preferences are stored locally on your device using localStorage. If you have an account, this data may also be synced to our servers.
- Usage analytics: We collect anonymous, aggregated data about how features are used (e.g., which screens are visited, session duration). This data does not identify you personally.
- Advertising identifiers: If you use the free version of the App, our advertising partner (Google AdMob) may collect your device's advertising identifier (IDFA on iOS, GAID on Android) and related ad-interaction data to show you relevant ads.
- Device information: Basic device type, operating system version, and app version may be collected for crash reporting and compatibility purposes.
Information we do NOT collect
- We do not collect your real name, phone number, or physical address.
- We do not access your contacts, photos, camera, or microphone.
- We do not collect payment information — all in-app purchases are processed by Apple or Google.
Section 03
How We Use It
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Providing the App: Saving your game progress, preferences, and account state so you can pick up where you left off across sessions and devices.
- AI coaching features: Analyzing your puzzle patterns (locally or server-side, depending on your account status) to generate personalized hints and coaching suggestions.
- Improving the App: Aggregated, anonymized usage data helps us understand which features are working well and which need improvement.
- Displaying advertisements: If you use the free tier, usage data and advertising identifiers are shared with Google AdMob to display ads. You can remove ads with a one-time purchase.
- Account management: If you create an account, we use your email address to authenticate your session and, if you opt in, send important account notifications.
- Legal compliance: We may use or disclose information when required by law or to protect the rights and safety of our users.
Section 04
Third-Party Services
Sudoku Coach integrates the following third-party services. Each has its own privacy policy that governs the data they collect.
AdMob is used to display ads in the free version of Sudoku Coach. AdMob may collect your device advertising ID, IP address, and interaction data to serve personalized or contextual ads. Users in the EEA, UK, and California will be shown consent prompts before personalized ads are served.
You can opt out of personalized ads at any time in your device settings (iOS: Settings → Privacy → Apple Advertising; Android: Settings → Google → Ads).
Google Privacy Policy →Supabase powers optional account features including authentication and cloud save sync. If you create an account, your email address and game data are stored in Supabase's hosted database infrastructure. Supabase is SOC 2 Type 2 certified and stores data in secure, access-controlled environments.
If you never create an account, Supabase does not receive any data from your use of the App.
Supabase Privacy Policy →We use Plausible Analytics to understand how the App is used. Plausible is a privacy-first analytics platform that does not use cookies, does not track users across sessions or sites, and does not collect personally identifiable information. All data is aggregated and anonymized.
Plausible is fully GDPR-compliant and CCPA-compliant. No consent banner is required for Plausible.
Plausible Privacy Policy →Section 05
Data Retention
- Local data (localStorage): Stored on your device until you uninstall the App or clear the App's data in your device settings.
- Account data (Supabase): Retained for as long as your account is active. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by emailing privacy@5amlab.org. We will process deletion requests within 30 days.
- Analytics data (Plausible): Aggregated and anonymized — no individual records are retained.
- Ad data (AdMob): Governed by Google's data retention policies. See the Google Privacy Policy for details.
Section 06
Children's Privacy
Kids Mode: Sudoku Coach includes a Kids Mode designed for players under 13. When Kids Mode is active, advertising is disabled and no account creation is possible, consistent with our COPPA commitments.
Sudoku Coach is a general-audience app. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age without verifiable parental consent, in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
When Kids Mode is enabled:
- All ads are disabled — AdMob does not receive any data.
- Account creation and cloud sync features are unavailable.
- Only anonymous, aggregated analytics may be collected via Plausible (no personal data).
- Game progress is saved locally on the device only.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 has provided us with personal information outside of Kids Mode, please contact us immediately at privacy@5amlab.org. We will promptly investigate and delete any such data.
Section 07
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Deletion: Request that we delete your account and associated personal data.
- Portability: Request your data in a portable format.
- Opt-out of personalized ads: Use your device settings to reset or limit your advertising identifier.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@5amlab.org. We will respond within 30 days.
Section 08
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For significant changes, we will provide notice within the App or via email if you have an account.
Continued use of Sudoku Coach after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.
Section 09
Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your data, we'd love to hear from you.