Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 17, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to Here's My Shelf. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

  • Account Information: Username, email address, password
  • Profile Information: Avatar, bio, favorite games, genres, and mechanics
  • Shelf Content: Board games you add to your collection, ratings, and notes
  • Social Interactions: Likes, comments, follows, and play logs

2.2 Information We Collect Automatically

  • Usage Data: How you interact with the Service
  • Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address
  • Cookies: We use cookies to maintain your session and improve your experience

2.3 Third-Party Authentication

If you choose to sign in using Google we receive basic profile information from these services (name, email, profile picture) as permitted by your privacy settings on those platforms.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
  • Create and manage your account
  • Display your public profile and shelf to other users
  • Enable social features (likes, comments, follows)
  • Send you important updates about the Service
  • Respond to your support requests
  • Analyze usage patterns to improve user experience
  • Detect and prevent fraud or abuse

4. Information Sharing

4.1 Public Information

Your profile, shelf, and social interactions (likes, comments) are visible to other users of the Service. This is a core feature of the platform.

4.2 Service Providers

We may share your information with third-party service providers who help us operate the Service (hosting, analytics, email delivery). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to valid legal requests.

4.4 No Sale of Data

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

5. Board Game Data

Board game information (images, descriptions, ratings) is sourced from third-party APIs BoardGameGeek. We cache this data locally to provide a better user experience. This data is subject to the terms and privacy policies of those services.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data
  • Correction: Update or correct your information
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your account and data
  • Export: Download your data in a portable format
  • Object: Object to certain uses of your data

To exercise these rights, please contact us through our support channels.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your data within a reasonable timeframe, except where we are required to retain it for legal purposes.

9. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Keep you logged in
  • Remember your preferences
  • Understand how you use the Service
  • Improve the Service

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features.

10. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected such information, please contact us immediately.

11. International Users

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. By using the Service, you consent to such transfers.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us through our support channels.