Privacy Policy
Effective 23 August 2026 · Applies to all Free the Borough games
The short version: our games work without an account, we collect the minimum needed to run them, we don't run ads, we don't use third-party analytics, and we never sell your data.
This policy covers the games published by Free the Borough ("we", "us"), including Blood in the Sand, and this website. A per-game appendix at the end lists anything specific to an individual game.
What we collect, and why
Anonymous play (the default)
When you first launch one of our games, we create an anonymous player identity: a randomly generated player ID and a secret device credential, stored on your device. No name, email, or personal details are required — you can play forever without telling us who you are. Connected to that anonymous ID we store the things the game needs to remember for you:
- in-game currency balances and their transaction history;
- items you have unlocked or purchased;
- competitive ratings, match results, and achievements;
- the display name you choose for multiplayer (visible to other players).
Device credentials are stored on our servers only in hashed form.
Optional account linking
You can optionally link your player identity to a sign-in with Apple (iOS) or Google (Android) so your purchases and progress can be restored on other devices. Sign-in is handled by our authentication provider, Clerk, which receives and stores the identity your provider shares — typically an email address (Apple lets you hide yours with a relay address) and name. In our own database we store only the link between your account and your player identity. We do not use your email for marketing.
Purchases
In-app purchases are processed entirely by Apple's App Store or Google Play. We never see or store your payment details. To credit a purchase we receive and keep the store's proof of purchase (a transaction identifier and signed receipt), which we retain as a permanent record of what you're owed.
Technical data
Our servers briefly process your IP address to deliver the service and to rate-limit abuse. We keep routine, short-lived server logs for debugging and security. We do not use advertising identifiers, third-party analytics SDKs, tracking pixels, or ads of any kind. This website sets no cookies.
What we don't do
- We don't sell or rent your data — to anyone, ever.
- We don't run ads or share data with advertisers.
- We don't profile you, track you across other apps or websites, or use third-party analytics.
- We don't send marketing email.
Who we share data with
Only the service providers that run the games, acting on our instructions: cloud hosting for our game servers and database, Clerk for optional sign-in, and Apple/Google for purchases and sign-in on their platforms. Other players see your display name, and in competitive modes your rating and match results. We disclose data beyond that only if the law requires it.
Where your data lives, and for how long
Data is stored with reputable cloud infrastructure providers and retained for as long as your player identity exists — game progress is the product, so we keep it until you ask us not to. Transient logs expire on a rolling basis.
Your choices and rights
- Play anonymously — accounts are never required.
- Delete your account link — in-game, under Settings. This removes the sign-in link and deletes your account at our authentication provider; your game progress survives anonymously on your device.
- Delete everything — email us and we'll erase your player identity and all data connected to it. Note this includes purchases, which cannot then be restored.
- Access or correct your data — email us and we'll provide a copy of the data held against your player identity.
If you're in the UK/EU, these map to your rights under UK/EU data-protection law; our lawful bases are performance of a contract (running the game you chose to play) and legitimate interests (security and abuse prevention). You also have the right to complain to your data-protection authority — in the UK, the ICO.
Children
Our games are not directed at children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect personal data from them. Accounts require an Apple or Google identity, which carry their own age requirements. If you believe a child has provided us personal data, contact us and we'll delete it.
Changes
If this policy changes materially we'll update this page and its effective date, and note significant changes in-game where practical.
Contact
Free the Borough — freetheborough.games@gmail.com
Per-game appendix
Blood in the Sand
Multiplayer arena game. Collects everything described above: anonymous player identity, currency ledgers (Glory and Signets), unlocked items, ranked ratings and match history, achievements, gladiator display name, optional Apple/Google account link, and store purchase receipts. Match gameplay is transmitted between players in real time but individual match inputs are not retained after results are recorded.