Privacy Policy — Haystack Hunt 3D

Effective date: October 23, 2026
Last updated: October 23, 2026

App: Haystack Hunt 3D

Package name: com.gigasonet.haystack

Developer / data controller: Gigasonet

Contact: contact@gigasonet.com

Website: https://www.gigasonet.com

1. Introduction and scope

This Privacy Policy explains how Gigasonet ("Gigasonet", "we", "our" or "us") handles information when you download, install or play Haystack Hunt 3D (the "Game" or the "App") on Android devices. It applies only to the Game. It does not apply to other Gigasonet apps or websites, which have their own policies, or to third-party services such as Google Play, which are governed by their providers' policies.

In short:

• The Game has no accounts, no ads, no analytics and no tracking SDKs.

• Your progress is stored on your device.

• We do not sell, rent or share personal information, and we do not use it for advertising or profiling.

• The Game connects to the internet for only two reasons: a small app version check with our own server, and Google Play services (Play Games achievements and leaderboards, in-app review and the Play Store). These are explained below.

By using the Game you acknowledge this Policy. If you do not agree with it, please do not use the Game.

2. Information we collect and how it is used

2.1 Information you provide to us

None through the Game. The Game never asks for your name, email address, phone number, address, date of birth, photos, contacts, location or payment details. There are no sign-up forms, chat or user-generated content.

If you email us (for example, for support), we receive your email address and whatever you choose to include in your message. We use it only to reply to you and to handle your request (see Section 7 for how long we keep it).

2.2 Game data stored on your device

The Game saves the following locally on your device using Android's private app storage (SharedPreferences):

• Game progress: coins, current haystack, upgrades and their levels (hands, stamina, tools, hay drone and farm upgrades), needles found, statistics and the state of a half-dug haystack.

• Settings: audio volumes, graphics quality, frame rate, controls, gameplay options and similar preferences.

• A cached copy of the latest app version check response, which contains version information only (see Section 2.3).

• Simple local counters used to decide when to show the in-app review prompt.

This data never leaves your device through the Game, and we cannot see it. It contains no personal information.

Android backup: if you have turned on Android's backup feature (Google One / Google Drive backup), Android may include the Game's local save in your device backup, so that your progress can be restored on a new device. Google performs this backup under your Google account and Google's Privacy Policy. We do not receive or have access to these backups. You can turn backup off in your device settings.

2.3 App version check (our server)

When the Game starts, and when you return to it, it may ask our server whether a newer version exists:

https://www.gigasonet.com/api/app-version/com.gigasonet.haystack

• What the Game sends: an HTTPS request for that address. The only app-specific detail is the package name in the address. It may also send a version tag (ETag) of a previous response, so the server can answer "not changed". The request contains no account, player name, device identifier, advertising ID, game progress or location.

• What our server necessarily receives: like every request on the internet, our server and hosting provider receive standard technical information needed to deliver the response. This includes your IP address, the date and time of the request, and basic connection details (for example, the HTTP client type). This information may be recorded in server logs.

• Why: to show you an optional "new update available" message, a required-update screen if your version is no longer supported (for example, for security or compatibility reasons), or a temporary maintenance notice. Server logs are used only to keep the service running, secure and protected from abuse.

• What we do NOT do: we do not use this information to identify you, build a profile, track you across apps or websites, or advertise to you, and we do not combine it with other data.

• Offline play: the Game works without an internet connection. If our server cannot be reached, the Game keeps working normally.

2.4 Google Play Games Services

The Game uses Google Play Games Services for achievements and leaderboards (such as Highest Stack and Total Coins). The Play Games sign-in is provided and controlled by Google.

• When you use Play Games, Google processes your Play Games profile (for example, your gamer name and avatar), your achievements and your leaderboard scores. Google shows them to you and, depending on your Play Games visibility settings, to other players.

• The Game sends Google only game events: an achievement being unlocked, or a score such as your highest stack number and total coins.

• We do not receive your email address or Google account details. We do not store your Play Games identity on our servers.

• You can manage or delete your Play Games profile and visibility in the Google Play Games settings. This processing is governed by the Google Privacy Policy and the Google Play Terms of Service.

2.5 Google Play In-App Review

From time to time the Game may ask Google Play to show the standard "Rate this app" dialog. Google controls this dialog. Any rating or review you submit goes directly to Google Play under Google's terms. We only see reviews that are published publicly on the Play Store.

2.6 Google Play Store and diagnostics

• The Game is distributed through Google Play. Google may collect information about installs, purchases, devices and app performance (for example, crash reports and "Android vitals"), according to your device settings and Google's policies. Google may share aggregated or anonymised statistics with us as the developer, for example install counts, crash rates and the device models affected. We use these statistics only to fix bugs and improve the Game. We cannot use them to identify you.

• If you tap "Update" in the Game, it opens the Google Play Store (or the Play Store web page) for this app.

2.7 What we do NOT collect

We do not collect or process:

• Your name, email address (unless you email us), phone number or postal address

• Precise or approximate location (GPS)

• Contacts, photos, videos, files, microphone or camera data

• Advertising ID (AAID), IMEI, MAC address, serial number or other device identifiers

• Browsing history, other installed apps, or health, financial or biometric data

• Payment information (the Game has no in-app purchases; all coins are earned in-game and have no real-world value)

The Game does not use cookies, web beacons, advertising SDKs, analytics SDKs, social-media plug-ins or any cross-app tracking.

3. Device permissions

Permission

Why the Game uses it

INTERNET

The app version check (Section 2.3) and Google Play services (Sections 2.4–2.6).

ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE

To check whether a connection is available before contacting the server, so the Game works smoothly offline.

VIBRATE

Haptic feedback when grabbing hay, using tools, finding the needle or pressing buttons. You can turn vibration off in Settings → Audio.

The Game does not request location, camera, microphone, contacts, storage, phone or notification permissions.

4. Legal bases for processing (EEA, UK and similar laws)

Where data-protection laws such as the EU/UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) apply, we rely on the following legal bases:

• Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR): for the version check and its server logs, so that we can deliver updates, keep the Game secure and compatible, and protect our service from abuse. These interests do not override your rights, because the data is minimal, is not used to identify you and is kept only for a short time.

• Performance of a contract / your request (Art. 6(1)(b)): to answer support emails you send us.

• Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)): where we must keep or disclose information to comply with the law.

Google acts as an independent controller for Google Play services, under Google's own legal bases.

5. How we share information

We do not sell or rent personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioural advertising. Information is disclosed only:

• To service providers: for example, our website and server hosting provider, which processes server requests on our behalf under confidentiality and data-protection obligations.

• To Google: when you use Google Play services, as described in Section 2.

• For legal reasons: if required by law, a court order or a government authority, or where necessary to protect the rights, safety or property of Gigasonet, our users or others.

• In a business transfer: if Gigasonet is involved in a merger, acquisition or sale of assets. In that case this Policy will continue to apply to any information transferred, or you will be notified of any change.

6. International data transfers

Our servers and service providers, including Google, may be located in countries other than yours, such as India, the United States or member states of the European Union. Where information is transferred internationally, we rely on appropriate safeguards required by law, such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses, or on our providers' transfer mechanisms.

7. Data retention

• On-device game data: kept on your device until you reset your progress, clear the app's data or uninstall the Game.

• Version-check server logs: kept only as long as needed for security and operation, normally no longer than 30 days. After that they are deleted or anonymised, unless they are needed to investigate abuse or to meet a legal requirement.

• Support emails: kept as long as needed to resolve your request and for a reasonable period afterwards (normally no longer than 24 months). They are then deleted.

• Google Play data: retained by Google according to Google's policies.

8. Data security

We protect information with reasonable technical and organisational measures appropriate to its low sensitivity:

• The version check uses encrypted HTTPS (TLS) to our own domain only. The Game does not follow redirects to other servers and ignores unexpected responses.

• Game data is stored in Android's private app storage, which other apps cannot read.

• Access to server logs is limited to authorised personnel.

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but because the Game collects almost no information, the risk to you is very low.

9. Your choices and rights

9.1 Choices available to everyone

• Reset your progress: in the Game go to Settings → About → Reset progress, or go to Android Settings → Apps → Haystack Hunt 3D → Storage → Clear data.

• Delete everything: uninstall the Game. This removes all local game data from your device.

• Play offline: you can play without an internet connection.

• Play Games: manage your profile, visibility or deletion in the Google Play Games app or settings.

• Vibration: turn it off in Settings → Audio.

9.2 Your legal rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• access the personal information we hold about you, and receive a copy;

• correct inaccurate information;

• delete your information;

• restrict or object to certain processing, including processing based on legitimate interests;

• data portability;

• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;

• not be discriminated against for exercising your rights;

• lodge a complaint with a data-protection supervisory authority.

Region-specific information:

• EEA / UK (GDPR / UK GDPR): the rights listed above. You may complain to your local supervisory authority.

• United States, including California (CCPA/CPRA) and other state privacy laws: we do not sell or "share" personal information as defined by these laws, and we do not use sensitive personal information. In the last 12 months, the only categories processed were internet or network information (IP address and request time in server logs) and, if you contacted us, identifiers such as your email address. These were used for the purposes described above.

• India (Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023): you may request a summary of your personal data and how it is processed, and request correction or erasure. You may raise grievances with us, and then with the Data Protection Board of India.

• Brazil (LGPD): you may confirm whether processing exists, access, correct or delete your data, and obtain information about sharing.

Because the Game does not create accounts and stores progress only on your device, we usually cannot link any request to you. We generally hold no personal data about players apart from short-lived server logs and emails you send us. To exercise a right, email contact@gigasonet.com. We may need to ask for reasonable information to verify your request, and we will respond within the time required by applicable law (normally within 30 days).

9.3 Data deletion requests

To request deletion of any information we may hold (for example, your support emails), email contact@gigasonet.com with the subject "Data deletion — Haystack Hunt 3D". Your game progress is stored only on your device, so you can delete it immediately yourself as described in Section 9.1.

10. Children's privacy

Haystack Hunt 3D is a family-friendly game with no violence, chat, ads or purchases, and it can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children, including children under 13 in the United States (COPPA), children under 16 (or the applicable age) in the EEA/UK (GDPR), or children under 18 in India (DPDP Act).

• The Game has no accounts, chat, social features, advertising or behavioural tracking, and the version check contains no information about the player.

• Google Play Games features are provided by Google and follow Google's own rules for child accounts (for example, accounts managed with Family Link).

• If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has sent us personal information, for example by email, contact us at contact@gigasonet.com and we will delete it promptly.

11. Third-party links and services

The Game may open Google Play or other Google services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties. Please review their privacy policies:

• Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

• Google Play Terms of Service: https://play.google.com/about/play-terms/

12. "Do Not Track" and Global Privacy Control

The Game does not track you across apps or websites, so there is nothing for "Do Not Track" or Global Privacy Control signals to switch off. We treat every player as having opted out of the sale and sharing of personal information.

13. Google Play Data safety summary

For transparency, this is how the Game is described in its Google Play Data safety section:

• Data collected by the app developer: none that identifies you. Version-check requests are handled only for app functionality and security; no player data is included.

• Data shared with third parties: none. Google Play services are provided by Google under Google's own policies.

• Data encrypted in transit: yes (HTTPS).

• You can request that data be deleted: yes, at contact@gigasonet.com. Local game data can be deleted at any time from the device.

14. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time, for example when we add features or when laws change. We will post the updated version at the same address and change the "Last updated" date above. If we make a material change, such as starting to collect a new type of personal information, we will give reasonable notice in the Game or on the Play Store listing before the change takes effect and, where required by law, ask for your consent. Continuing to use the Game after an update means you accept the updated Policy.

15. Contact us

If you have any questions, requests or complaints about this Privacy Policy or your information, please contact:

Gigasonet Email: contact@gigasonet.com
Website: https://www.gigasonet.com
App: Haystack Hunt 3D (com.gigasonet.haystack)

We aim to reply to all privacy enquiries within 30 days.