Privacy Policy

Chess Openings Academy

Effective Date: January 2025

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information Stored Locally on Your Device

The following information is stored only on your device and never leaves your phone:

• Learning Progress: Your completion status for chess openings, move accuracy, mistakes, and study statistics
• Personal Preferences: Your favorite chess openings and app theme preference (light/dark mode)
• App Cache: Downloaded chess lesson content to improve app performance

1.2 Technical Information During Server Communication

When the app fetches chess lessons from our servers, the following technical information may be automatically collected:

• IP Address: Your device's internet address (used for content delivery)
• Device Information: Basic device type and operating system (included in standard internet requests)
• Request Timestamps: When you request chess content (for server maintenance)
• Usage Patterns: Which chess openings are requested (for content optimization)

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Local Data Usage

• Track your learning progress and provide personalized study recommendations
• Remember your favorite chess openings for quick access
• Maintain your app preferences (theme, settings)
• Cache chess content for faster offline access

2.2 Server Data Usage

• Deliver chess opening content and lessons to your device
• Optimize server performance and fix technical issues
• Understand which chess content is most popular (aggregate data only)

3. Data Storage and Security

3.1 Local Storage

Your personal learning data is stored securely on your device using industry-standard encryption. This data never leaves your device unless you explicitly transfer it (e.g., when switching devices).

3.2 Server Infrastructure

Chess content is delivered through Amazon Web Services (AWS) servers located in the United States (US-East-1 region). AWS maintains industry-leading security standards and compliance certifications.

3.3 Data Retention

• Local Data: Remains on your device until you delete the app or clear app data
• Server Logs: Technical logs are automatically deleted after 30 days

4. Third-Party Services

4.1 Amazon Web Services (AWS)

We use AWS API Gateway to deliver chess content. AWS may collect technical information according to their privacy policy. AWS does not have access to your personal learning progress or preferences.

4.2 No Analytics or Advertising

Chess Openings Academy does not use analytics services, advertising networks, or social media tracking. We believe in a clean, focused learning experience.

5. Information We Do NOT Collect

We want to be clear about what we don't collect:

• Personal identification (names, emails, phone numbers)
• Contact lists or address books
• Location data or GPS coordinates
• Camera or microphone access
• Social media profiles or accounts
• Financial or payment information
• Browsing history or app usage outside our app

6. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Chess Openings Academy is safe for children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. The app is designed to work without requiring any personal information from users of any age.

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 Data Access and Control

• Local Data: You can view your progress and favorites within the app settings
• Data Deletion: Delete the app to remove all local data, or clear app data in device settings
• Preferences: Change theme and favorites anytime within the app

7.2 Network Communication

• The app requires internet to download new chess content
• Previously downloaded content works offline
• You can limit data usage through your device's data restrictions

8. International Users

8.1 GDPR (European Users)

If you're in the European Union, you have additional rights:

• Right to Access: Request information about data processing
• Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your data
• Right to Portability: Request export of your progress data
• Legal Basis: We process technical data based on legitimate interest for service delivery

8.2 CCPA (California Residents)

California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected and request deletion of personal information.

9. Data Breaches

In the unlikely event of a data breach affecting user information, we will:

• Investigate and contain the breach immediately
• Notify affected users within 72 hours
• Report to relevant authorities as required by law
• Provide guidance on protective measures users can take

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices or for legal compliance. When we make changes:

• We'll update the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy
• Significant changes will be communicated through app updates
• Continued use of the app constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

11. Legal Basis for Processing

We process information based on:

• Legitimate Interest: Delivering chess educational content and maintaining service quality
• Consent: Your choice to use the app and accept this privacy policy
• Performance of Service: Technical data necessary to deliver requested chess content

13. Chess Piece Attribution

Chess pieces in this app are created by Cburnett and licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.