Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 22, 2025

1. Introduction

HandheldAlly ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

We operate from the Czech Republic and comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other applicable data protection laws worldwide.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information

Email address (for account creation and waitlist notifications with explicit consent)
Username (unique identifier for community features)
Steam ID (if you connect your Steam account)
Profile picture (optional)
Device information for optimization purposes
Payment information (processed securely by Stripe)

Usage Information

Game settings you create or interact with
Forum posts and comments
Voting and rating activities
Search queries
Device and browser information
IP address (pseudonymized for security purposes, then fully anonymized after 30 days)

Cookies and Tracking

We use essential cookies for authentication and functionality. Analytics cookies are used only with your consent. You can manage cookie preferences in your browser settings.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Provide and improve our services
Personalize your experience based on your handheld device and preferences
Process your game library data for personalized recommendations
Enable community features (forums, voting, comments)
Send service-related communications, important updates, and launch notifications (with your consent)
Maintain platform security and prevent abuse
Comply with legal obligations
Analyze usage patterns to improve the platform

AI-Powered Features

HandheldAlly uses artificial intelligence services provided by OpenAI to enhance your experience. We process this data based on our legitimate interest in providing innovative gaming optimization services. You have the right to object to AI processing of your data - contact us at privacy@handheldally.com to opt out.

Game Settings Validation

We use AI to analyze and validate game settings for optimal performance on handheld devices
Settings data is processed to provide compatibility recommendations
No personal information is included in validation requests

Content Moderation

Community posts and comments are analyzed by AI to maintain a safe environment
This helps us detect and prevent inappropriate content
Moderation decisions are reviewed by our team when necessary

4. Data Retention Periods

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.

Account Information

Retained for the duration of your account and 30 days after deletion request

Community Content

Public posts remain unless deleted by you or removed for policy violations

Analytics Data

Anonymized and aggregated after 90 days

Payment Records

Retained for 7 years as required by tax laws

5. Your Rights (GDPR & CCPA)

Under GDPR and CCPA, you have the following rights:

Access: Request a copy of your personal data
Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
Restriction: Limit processing of your data
Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
Objection: Object to certain types of processing
Automated decisions: Not be subject to automated decision-making
Opt-out (CCPA): Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data)

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@handheldally.com

Your Control Over AI Features

AI features are optional and enhance the platform experience
You can choose not to use AI validation for your game settings
Community content moderation helps maintain platform safety for all users
You may request that your data not be used for AI improvement purposes

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in these circumstances:

With your consent: When you explicitly agree to sharing
Public information: Content you post publicly (game settings, forum posts)
Service providers: Third parties that help operate our platform (hosting, analytics). We have Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) with all processors, including OpenAI, to ensure your data is protected
Legal requirements: When required by law or to protect rights and safety
Business transfers: In case of merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

Data Sharing with AI Providers

To provide AI-powered features and help improve AI services:

We share game settings and community content with OpenAI for processing
This data may be used by OpenAI to improve their services and models
No personally identifiable information is intentionally shared
We do not process health information or data from users under 13 through these services

7. Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including:

Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS) and at rest
Secure authentication with bcrypt password hashing
Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning
Access controls and role-based permissions
Secure development practices and code reviews
Incident response procedures and breach notification

8. International Data Transfers

As we operate globally from the Czech Republic, your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers, including:

EU Standard Contractual Clauses
Adequacy decisions by the European Commission
Your explicit consent where required
Binding corporate rules for internal transfers

9. Children's Privacy

Age Requirement: 16+

HandheldAlly is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we learn we have collected such information, we will promptly delete it. If you believe we have information from a child under 16, please contact us immediately.

10. Third-Party Services

We integrate with third-party services that have their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review their policies when using these integrations.

Steam

We use Steam's API services for:

Authentication and account linking
Game library synchronization
Game information and metadata

Steam Privacy Policy: https://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/

OpenAI

We use OpenAI's API services for:

Game settings validation and optimization recommendations
Community content moderation
Improving user experience through AI-powered features

OpenAI processes this data according to their privacy policy: https://openai.com/policies/privacy-policy

Data shared with OpenAI includes:

Game configuration settings
Device specifications
Community posts and comments (for moderation)
No personal health information or data from users under 13

Analytics Services

We may use analytics services to understand platform usage:

Page views and navigation patterns
Feature usage statistics
Performance metrics

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes via email or platform notification. Continued use after changes indicates acceptance.

Recent changes (January 22, 2025):

Enhanced GDPR and CCPA compliance sections
Added detailed data retention periods
Clarified age requirement (16+)
Updated security measures section

12. Contact Information

For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, contact us at:

Privacy Inquiries:

privacy@handheldally.com

Data Protection Officer:

dpo@handheldally.com

Postal Address:

Jan Piskač (OSVČ)
Jugoslávských partyzánů 1602/25
160 00 Praha 6 - Dejvice
Czech Republic

Response Time:

We aim to respond to all privacy requests within 30 days. For complex requests, we may need up to 90 days and will notify you of any delays.

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