INSECTOIDS – Privacy Policy
Last updated: 15 October 2026
INSECTOIDS is a game for Android made by TinkerStudios in New Zealand ("we", "us"). It collects only what it needs to show ads, count how the game is played, run the leaderboards and fix bugs. We never ask for your name, email address, phone number, contacts or exact location, and you don't need an account. Questions or requests: tinker.studiosnz@gmail.com.
What we collect
Device and advertising IDs (your phone's advertising ID and a Firebase app ID): to show ads, count players and stop ad fraud.
Approximate location (country or region, worked out by Google from your internet address): to show ads and the consent message that fit where you live.
How you play (levels played, runs, upgrades bought, chests opened, how long a session lasts, which ads you choose to watch, crashes and errors): to balance the game and fix problems.
Leaderboard entry (a random player ID of 16 letters and numbers, a nickname the game makes up such as SLY WASP 42, the bug you play as, and your best time, wave and level): to show the world leaderboards. You can't type your own nickname.
Purchases (which item you bought and its Google Play receipt): to give you what you paid for, exactly once. Card and payment details go to Google Play only; we never see them.
Bug reports, only if you send one (what you type, plus the game version, your phone's system and screen size): to fix the bug you reported.
Your coins, diamonds, upgrades and settings are saved on your phone.
Who we share it with
We don't sell your information. These Google services handle it for us, under their own privacy terms:
Google AdMob shows the optional reward ads and the consent message.
Google Analytics for Firebase counts how the game is played.
Firebase Realtime Database stores the leaderboards.
Google Play handles purchases, downloads and backups.
Google Forms receives bug reports you choose to send.
Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
How Google uses data from apps: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites
Firebase privacy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
Google may store this information on servers outside New Zealand, including in the United States. We would also share information if the law required us to.
Your choices
Consent. In the European Economic Area, the UK and Switzerland, Google's consent message asks before any personalised ads or analytics start. Change your answer any time in SETTINGS > PRIVACY CHOICES.
Ads are optional. Ads only play when you tap a button that offers one, such as DOUBLE LOOT or a free spin.
Advertising ID. On Android, go to Settings > Google > Ads (or Settings > Privacy > Ads) to reset or delete it.
Delete your data. Email tinker.studiosnz@gmail.com with your leaderboard nickname. We'll remove your leaderboard entries and ask Google to delete the analytics linked to your device, within 30 days.
See or correct your data. Email us and we'll tell you what we hold, as New Zealand's Privacy Act 2020 and the EU and UK GDPR allow.
Uninstalling removes the game's save from your phone, unless Android has backed it up to your Google account.
How long we keep it
Leaderboard entries stay while their board is shown (a day, a week or a month; the LEVELS board until you ask us to remove them). Google keeps analytics for up to 14 months, then deletes them. Bug reports are kept only as long as we need them to fix the bug.
Children
INSECTOIDS is for players aged 16 and over, because it sells random prizes (chests and prize wheel spins). We don't knowingly collect information from anyone younger. If you think a child has used the game, email us and we'll delete what we hold.
Security
Information travels to Google's services over encrypted connections (HTTPS). The leaderboard holds no names, emails or contact details, only the made-up nickname and scores.
Changes
If we change what the game collects, we'll update this page and its date before the change reaches the game.
Contact
TinkerStudios, New Zealand: tinker.studiosnz@gmail.com