Privacy Policy

Effective date and last updated: August 14, 2026

This Privacy Policy applies to the Shifto application for mobile devices and to the Shifto web application accessed through web browsers, together with any related services operated by Alexander Gettinger (collectively, the "Services"). Alexander Gettinger is referred to in this Privacy Policy as the "Service Provider".

Shifto is a logic puzzle game. The Services do not require users to create an account or register in order to play.

1. Information We Collect

The information processed in connection with Shifto depends on whether you use a mobile version or the web version.

The Service Provider does not require users to submit a name, phone number, postal address, payment information, username, password, or similar personal information in order to play Shifto.

2. Mobile Application — Google AdMob

The Android version of Shifto uses Google AdMob and the Google Mobile Ads SDK to display advertisements. If AdMob is used in another mobile version of Shifto, this section applies to that version as well.

According to Google, the Google Mobile Ads SDK may automatically collect and share the following types of information:

IP address, which may be used to estimate the general location of a device;
user product interactions, including information such as app launches, taps, and video views;
diagnostic information related to the performance of the application and the SDK;
device and account identifiers, which may include the Android advertising ID, App Set ID, and other applicable identifiers.

Google states that these data types may be used for advertising, analytics, and fraud-prevention purposes. More information is available in Google's Google Play data disclosure for the Google Mobile Ads SDK.

Shifto does not request or collect precise GPS location. General or approximate location may nevertheless be estimated by Google from a device's IP address.

3. Advertising Consent and Privacy Choices

Shifto uses Google's User Messaging Platform (UMP) in the mobile application to manage advertising privacy choices where required.

Depending on your location, applicable law, and Google's requirements, the mobile application may display a consent or privacy message before certain advertising-related processing occurs. Where applicable, privacy options may also be made available so that you can review or change your choices.

More information about Google's privacy messaging system is available in the Google UMP documentation.

4. Web Version and Technical Data

When you access Shifto through a web browser, the web server and infrastructure used to deliver the site necessarily process technical request information needed to provide the requested pages and files. This may include information such as your IP address, browser and operating system information, requested pages or files, and the date and time of a request.

The web version may also load technical resources, such as fonts, icons, libraries, or other files, from third-party content delivery services. When your browser connects directly to such a service, that service may receive technical information required to process the request, including your IP address and browser request information.

Shifto may use browser storage, such as local storage, to remember game state, settings, or preferences on your device. Information stored locally for these purposes is used to provide game functionality and is not used by the Service Provider to create a user account or personal profile.

5. Web Version — Google Analytics

The Shifto web version uses Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how the website and game are used and to help improve the web experience.

According to Google, Google Analytics may collect information such as first-party cookies or similar identifiers, device and browser information, IP address during data collection, and information about activity on the website. Google states that Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses.

Google Analytics uses this information to measure and report statistics about interactions with the website. The Service Provider does not send names, email addresses, phone numbers, or other information that directly identifies a person to Google Analytics.

More information about Google Analytics data practices and privacy controls is available in Google's Google Analytics privacy and data safeguards information.

6. Information Shifto Does Not Require

Shifto does not require access to or submission of:

a user account, username, or password;
name, phone number, or postal address;
payment or financial information;
precise GPS location;
contacts, camera, microphone, photos, or similar personal content.

7. How Information Is Used

Information processed in connection with the Services may be used only for purposes appropriate to the relevant service, including:

providing and operating Shifto;
delivering requested web pages and application resources;
displaying, selecting, and measuring advertisements in versions that use AdMob;
advertising-related analytics where AdMob is used;
detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, and invalid advertising activity;
diagnosing technical problems and maintaining the security and reliability of the Services;
responding to messages that you voluntarily send to the Service Provider.

8. Sharing and Third-Party Processing

Information described in this Privacy Policy may be processed by third-party service providers when necessary to operate the relevant Service. In particular, information from mobile versions that use AdMob may be transmitted to and processed by Google in connection with Google AdMob and related advertising services.

The Service Provider does not sell lists of Shifto users or personal information for monetary consideration. However, depending on applicable law and advertising configuration, certain advertising-related transfers may be legally classified as "sharing," "targeted advertising," or "sale" under some privacy laws even when no money is paid in exchange for personal information.

Information may also be disclosed when required by applicable law or legal process, or when reasonably necessary to protect the rights, safety, security, or integrity of the Services, the Service Provider, or others.

9. Information You Voluntarily Send to Us

Shifto does not maintain user accounts or a database of user profiles.

If you voluntarily contact the Service Provider by email, your email address and any information that you choose to include in your message will be received.

That correspondence may be used to:

respond to your question or request;
provide support;
respond to a privacy-related inquiry;
comply with applicable legal obligations.

Such correspondence is not used for unrelated marketing purposes.

10. Data Retention and Deletion

The Service Provider does not maintain its own database containing the advertising information automatically collected by Google AdMob.

The Service Provider generally does not have access to AdMob information in a form that allows a particular Shifto user to be identified. As a result, the Service Provider generally cannot locate, correct, or delete a specific user's AdMob data on that user's behalf.

Information processed by Google or other third-party providers is subject to those providers' own retention, privacy, and deletion practices.

If you voluntarily contact the Service Provider by email, the correspondence may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary to respond to the request, maintain appropriate records, or comply with applicable law. You may contact the Service Provider regarding personal information contained in correspondence that the Service Provider directly controls.

11. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, applicable privacy laws may provide rights concerning personal information, such as rights relating to access, correction, deletion, restriction of processing, withdrawal of consent, or opting out of certain advertising-related processing.

California residents may have additional rights under applicable California privacy laws where those laws apply to the Service Provider.

Shifto does not maintain user accounts or individual advertising profiles. The Service Provider therefore generally cannot identify or retrieve a particular user's AdMob data in order to access, correct, or delete it on that user's behalf.

Requests concerning information controlled or processed by Google through its advertising services may need to be exercised through Google's own privacy controls and procedures.

For information that the Service Provider directly controls, such as email correspondence you voluntarily sent, contact info@shifto.org.

12. Children's Privacy

Shifto is a general-audience logic puzzle game. The Services do not require users, including younger users, to create an account or submit personal information in order to play.

The Service Provider does not knowingly solicit personal information from children through user accounts, registration forms, or similar features, because Shifto does not provide those features.

Advertising and related data processing in mobile versions that use AdMob are provided through Google AdMob and are subject to Google's policies, privacy controls, and applicable legal requirements.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe that a child has voluntarily sent personal information directly to the Service Provider, please contact info@shifto.org.

13. International Processing

Some third-party providers used in connection with the Services operate internationally. Information processed by those providers may therefore be processed in countries other than the country in which you are located.

Google provides information about its privacy and international data practices in the Google Privacy Policy.

14. Security

The Service Provider takes reasonable measures appropriate to the limited amount of personal information directly processed by the Service Provider. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Google states that data automatically collected by the Google Mobile Ads SDK is encrypted in transit using Transport Layer Security (TLS).

15. External Services and Links

The Services may contain links to or interact with services operated by third parties. Those services are governed by their own terms and privacy policies. The Service Provider is not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services that are not controlled by the Service Provider.

Google AdMob is operated by Google. For more information about Google's handling of personal information, review the Google Privacy Policy.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes to Shifto, third-party services, applicable law, or privacy requirements.

When this Privacy Policy is updated, the "Effective date and last updated" date at the top of this page will be changed.

17. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, Shifto's privacy practices, or personal information that the Service Provider directly controls, please contact the Service Provider via email.

Email: info@shifto.org