Privacy Policy

Last updated: 25 October 2026

Facet ("we", "us", "our") operates playfacet.com. This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, and your rights regarding that data. Our practices align with the OECD Guidelines on the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data.

1. What We Collect

We collect only the minimum data needed to provide our service. When you create an account, we collect your email address. When you play the game, we record your solve times, hints used, and dates playedso you can track your stats and streaks. If you use the contact form, we receive the email address and message you provide.

We also collect anonymous, aggregated usage statistics with Vercel Analytics. These statistics do not include your name, email address, puzzle answers, or any other personal data.

When you play, whether or not you are signed in, we store an anonymous random identifier on your device. It is created in your browser on your first visit and kept in a first-party cookie and in local storage. We use it to count plays: how many people play each day, how many come back, and how often a puzzle is finished or shared. The identifier is a random value. It is not created from your IP address, and we do not use browser fingerprinting. It does not include your name, email address, or puzzle answers. If you sign in, we link that identifier to your account so earlier plays on this device can be counted together with later ones.

With that same identifier we store a short name for where you came from, such as a link tag on the address you opened or the name of the website that sent you. We do not store the full address of that page. We also count three sign-in steps: seeing a sign-in prompt, asking for a magic link, and finishing sign-in. The email address you type is not stored with those steps.

2. Why We Collect It

Your email address is used to sign you in. We email you a six-digit code and a link. Game activity data is used to provide your personal statistics, streaks, and archive history. Contact form submissions are used to respond to your feedback or questions. Anonymous usage statistics show how people play, including people who are not signed in, so we can improve the game. The anonymous identifier is used for those counts and to see which links and websites bring people who play or sign up. We do not use these counts for advertising or to build a profile of you.

3. How We Use Your Data

We use your data only for the purposes described above. We do not use your data for advertising, profiling, or any purpose beyond operating the game and responding to your enquiries.

4. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties for their own purposes. We use the following service providers to operate the game, who process data on our behalf:

These providers process data only as necessary to provide their services to us.

5. Data Security

We protect your data using industry-standard security measures including encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS), secure database access controls, and token-based authentication. No passwords are stored. Sign-in uses a code or a link we email you.

6. Data Retention

We retain your account and game data for as long as your account is active. Sign-in codes and links expire after 15 minutes and are deleted when you use them. We store a hash of the code, not the code itself. You may request deletion of your account and all associated data at any time. Anonymous play counts are kept so we can measure how the game is used. They contain no personal data. If you delete your account, we remove the link between your account and the anonymous identifier. The play counts remain, without your email address or account.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at contact@playfacet.com.

8. Cookies, Local Storage, and Usage Statistics

We use browser localStorage to remember your game progress, theme preference, and whether you have seen first-time tips. We also keep a short-lived sign-in flag, which is only a timestamp, so a completed sign-in is counted once. The flag does not store your email address.

We use Vercel Analytics for anonymous, aggregated usage statistics, with no personal data. This covers page views and game actions such as starting a puzzle, using a hint, solving, sharing a result, and signing in. It is not used for advertising, and it does not identify you on other websites. Vercel Analytics does not use tracking cookies. Visits are counted with a hash that is discarded within 24 hours and is not linked to your account. The sign-in session cookie is separate, and lets you stay logged in.

We also store an anonymous random identifier in a first-party cookie and in local storage, so we can count plays and return visits. The cookie is limited to this site. You can remove it by clearing cookies and site data for playfacet.com. A new random identifier is created the next time you visit, and later visits are then counted as a new player. We do not use your IP address or a browser fingerprint to build this identifier. The source name is kept with that identifier so a solve or a sign-up can be tied to the link or website that brought you here. It is not used to follow you on other websites.

9. Children

Facet is a general-audience word puzzle game. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.

10. International Data Transfers

Our service providers may process data in countries outside your own. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place consistent with OECD guidelines on transborder data flows.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be noted by updating the date at the top of this page. Continued use of the service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact

For privacy questions or data requests, contact us at contact@playfacet.com.