Privacy Policy

Last updated: 10 November 2026. This policy covers Cogwise on the web (cogwise.embergaming.studio) and in the Cogwise apps for Android and iPhone.

Who we are

Ember Gaming LLC ("we"), 14534 S Abbott Rd E, Homer Glen, IL 60491, USA. Contact: support@embergaming.studio.

What stays on your device

Your progress, settings and plans are saved on your device (browser storage on the web, app storage in the apps). A random player id is created there; it is not linked to your name or email. If you turn on the optional daily reminder in the app, the reminder is a notification scheduled on your device; we do not receive anything for it.

What we collect

Daily and Weekly Challenges, community levels. We store your random player id, the leaderboard name you choose, whether you solved a puzzle and your time. Levels you share store the level, its title and your name. Your name and results appear on the public leaderboards and community lists. Names with offensive words are replaced with "Player".

Gameplay statistics (only if you agree). On your first visit we ask whether you want to share anonymous gameplay statistics. Only if you choose Yes, the game sends short events with your random player id: level opened, Run won or failed, hints used, time taken, and settings you changed. They contain no name, email or location. They are stored in our own database and, for analysis, in PostHog (US), with automatic tracking, session recording and personal profiles switched off. You can change your choice in Settings at any time; switching it off stops both.

Crash and error reports. When the game or our server hits an error, a report goes to Sentry (US): the error, where in the code it happened, the device or browser type and the page or screen. No name, email or IP address is included. We use them only to fix bugs.

Account sign-in (optional). You can sign in with Google, Sign in with Apple, or an email code to save your progress across devices. With Google we receive the account id Google gives the game and your first name. With Apple we receive an account id and, if you choose to share it, your email or Apple's private relay address. With an email code we use your address only to send the code and keep a one-way hash of it so the same address reaches the same account; we do not keep the address itself. We never receive your password. We store that account identifier, your first name where given, and a copy of your game progress. Your Ember Pass status is shared with our other game Twice Over through a link between your sign-in and an internal Ember id, so one pass works in both games.

Purchases. In the apps, Google Play or the App Store takes your payment; we never see your card or payment details. We receive a purchase token or receipt, the product, and whether it is valid, refunded or cancelled, and we keep these purchase records (for example to prevent double delivery, to restore purchases and for accounting and legal reasons). On the web, payments are handled by Stripe, which acts as the seller (merchant of record); we receive confirmation of what you bought and the subscription status, not your card details.

Ads (apps only). The apps show optional rewarded video ads, served by Google AdMob. AdMob and its partners may use your device's advertising identifier (Advertising ID on Android, IDFA on iPhone), your IP address and device information to show and measure ads, and to personalise them if you allow it. Where required by law, you are asked for consent before ads load (Google's consent form; on iPhone also Apple's tracking permission). You can change your choice under Settings > Privacy choices where it is available, or in your phone's settings (reset or limit the advertising identifier). Ember Pass holders see no ads. The web game has no ads.

Server logs. Our hosting provider (Cloudflare) processes your IP address to deliver the site and API and protect them from abuse. We do not store IP addresses in our database.

What we do not do

We do not sell your personal data, and we do not use tracking cookies on the web. We do not knowingly show ads to children.

Why we use it

To run the game and its leaderboards, keep your progress, deliver and restore purchases, show ads that fund the game, stop cheating and abuse, and (with your consent) learn which levels are too hard so we can improve them.

Who we share it with

Cloudflare (hosting and database), Sentry (crash reports), PostHog (gameplay statistics, only if you agreed), Google (sign-in if you use it, Google Play billing, AdMob ads), Apple (Sign in with Apple, App Store purchases, ad permission), Stripe (web purchases) and an email provider that delivers sign-in codes. Nobody else. We may disclose data if the law requires it.

How long we keep it

Account data and saves: until you delete your account. Leaderboard results and gameplay statistics: up to 24 months, then they are deleted or kept only as totals. Purchase records: as long as needed for legal, tax and accounting reasons.

Your choices and rights

Turn gameplay statistics off in Settings. Change ad choices as described above. Delete your account and its saved progress in Settings or on the Delete account page; deleting an account does not cancel a store or Stripe subscription, so cancel that in Google Play, the App Store or the Stripe customer portal first. Clearing site data or uninstalling the app removes what is stored on your device. Depending on where you live you may also have rights to access, correct, export or object to the use of your data (for example under the GDPR or California law); write to us and we will help.

Children

Cogwise is meant for players aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect data from younger children; if we learn that we have, we will delete it.

Security

Data travels over HTTPS. Sign-in tokens are checked by our server on every request, and purchases are verified with Google, Apple or Stripe before anything is granted.

International transfers

Cloudflare, Sentry, PostHog, Google, Apple and Stripe may process data in the United States and other countries, under their own data protection terms.

Changes

We will post changes here and update the date above.

Cogwise is made by Ember Gaming LLC. Contact: support@embergaming.studio.