Privacy Policy

ChessHere ("we", "our", or "the Platform") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our chess platform. Please read this policy carefully. By using ChessHere, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Account information: Username, email address, and password when you create an account.
• Profile information: Display name, country, and any other optional profile details you choose to provide.
• Communications: Messages you send through our support or contact system.

Information Collected Automatically

• Game data: Chess moves, game results, timestamps, time control settings, and game history.
• Rating data: Your Glicko-2 rating, rating deviation, and rating history.
• Device and connection information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
• Usage data: Pages visited, features used, game frequency, and session duration.

Information from Third Parties

If you sign in using Google OAuth, we receive your Google email address, display name, and Google account identifier. We do not receive or store your Google password.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account.
• Facilitate online chess games, including matchmaking and real-time game play.
• Calculate and maintain your chess rating using the Glicko-2 system.
• Display game history, player profiles, and leaderboards.
• Detect and prevent cheating, fraud, and other violations of our Terms of Service.
• Respond to your support inquiries and provide customer service.
• Send you important notices about your account or changes to our policies.
• Improve, maintain, and optimize the Platform.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate and improve the Platform. The cookies we use include:

• Authentication cookies: Secure, HTTP-only cookies that keep you logged in (access token and refresh token).
• Preference cookies: Store your theme preference (light, dark, or caramel latte) so the site displays correctly on each visit.
• Session cookies: Temporary cookies used during account creation, email verification, and OAuth sign-in flows.

We do not use third-party advertising cookies or cross-site tracking technologies.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Public game data: Your username, rating, and completed game records are visible to other users on the Platform. This is essential to the functioning of an online chess community.
• Service providers: We may share data with trusted service providers who assist us in operating the Platform (e.g., hosting, email delivery), subject to confidentiality obligations.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required to do so by law, or if we believe in good faith that such action is necessary to comply with legal obligations, protect our rights, or ensure the safety of our users.

5. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your information, including:

• Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms and are never stored in plain text.
• Authentication tokens are stored in secure, HTTP-only cookies.
• Database connections use encryption in transit.
• We regularly review and update our security practices.

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active. Game records and associated data (moves, results, ratings) are retained indefinitely as part of the Platform's public game archive, which is a core feature of the chess community. If you delete your account, your personal information (email, password hash) will be removed, but your game history may be retained in an anonymized form.

7. Children's Privacy

ChessHere is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to promptly delete that information. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us through our support page.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated personal data.
• Data portability: Request an export of your game data in a standard format.
• Objection: Object to certain processing of your personal information.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through our support page.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your jurisdiction. By using the Platform, you consent to the transfer of your information to such countries. We take steps to ensure that your data receives an adequate level of protection in the jurisdictions in which we process it.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date at the top. Your continued use of the Platform after any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us through our support page.