Privacy Policy

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Create an account or register for the Service
• Complete your user profile
• Participate in community forums, discussions, or chat features
• Submit contact forms, feedback, or support requests
• Enter contests, sweepstakes, or promotions
• Subscribe to newsletters or marketing communications
• Report problems or contact customer support

This information may include:

• Name and username
• Email address
• Date of birth
• Gaming preferences and interests
• Profile information (avatar, bio, gaming statistics)
• Communication preferences
• Any other information you choose to provide

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access or use the Service, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version, unique device identifiers, mobile network information
• Usage Information: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, search queries, referring/exit pages, date and time stamps
• Location Information: IP address, general geographic location (city, state, country)
• Log Data: Server logs, error reports, system activity
• Cookie Data: Information collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 3)

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party sources, including:

• Social media platforms (if you connect your social media accounts)
• Gaming platforms and services (Steam, Discord, Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, etc.)
• Analytics providers
• Marketing partners
• Publicly available sources

1.4 User-Generated Content

We collect content that you create, upload, or share on the Service, including:

• Forum posts, comments, and discussions
• Chat messages and communications
• Photos, videos, and other media
• Gaming clips and highlights
• Reviews and ratings

2.1 To Provide and Maintain the Service

• Create and manage your account
• Provide access to features and functionality
• Process your requests and transactions
• Personalize your experience on the Service
• Enable communication between users
• Display user-generated content

2.2 To Improve and Optimize the Service

• Analyze usage patterns and trends
• Conduct research and development
• Test new features and functionality
• Monitor and improve performance
• Debug and fix technical issues
• Optimize user experience and interface design

2.3 To Communicate With You

• Send service announcements and updates
• Respond to your inquiries and support requests
• Send newsletters and promotional communications (with your consent)
• Notify you about community events, tournaments, and features
• Request feedback and conduct surveys
• Send administrative messages and account notifications

2.4 For Security and Safety

• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, and security threats
• Protect against malicious, deceptive, or illegal activity
• Verify user identity and authenticate access
• Enforce our Terms of Service and other policies
• Investigate and respond to violations
• Protect the rights, property, and safety of users and others

2.5 For Legal Compliance

• Comply with legal obligations and regulations
• Respond to legal requests and court orders
• Establish, exercise, or defend legal claims
• Protect our legal rights and interests

2.6 For Marketing and Advertising

• Send promotional materials and offers (with your consent)
• Display targeted advertisements based on your interests
• Measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
• Analyze market trends and user preferences

3.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. We use cookies and similar tracking technologies (web beacons, pixels, tags, scripts) to collect and store information about your use of the Service.

3.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for the Service to function properly. These cookies enable core functionality such as security, authentication, and accessibility features.
• Performance Cookies: Collect information about how you use the Service, such as pages visited and error messages. This helps us improve performance and user experience.
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings (language, region, login information) to provide a more personalized experience.
• Advertising Cookies: Track your browsing activity across websites to display relevant advertisements and measure advertising effectiveness.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Service by collecting and reporting usage statistics.

3.3 Third-Party Cookies

We may allow third-party service providers to place cookies on your device for purposes including:

• Analytics and performance monitoring (Google Analytics, etc.)
• Advertising and marketing
• Social media integration
• Customer support and chat services

3.4 Your Cookie Choices

You can control and manage cookies in several ways:

• Most browsers allow you to refuse or accept cookies through browser settings
• You can delete existing cookies stored on your device
• You can set your browser to notify you when cookies are sent
• You can opt out of interest-based advertising through industry opt-out tools

Note: Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Service and your ability to access certain features.

3.5 Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers support "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. Currently, there is no industry standard for responding to DNT signals. We do not currently respond to DNT signals, but we will update this Privacy Policy if we adopt a DNT standard in the future.

4.1 With Other Users

Certain information in your profile (username, avatar, gaming statistics, posts, comments) may be visible to other users of the Service based on your privacy settings and the nature of the platform.

4.2 With Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

• Cloud hosting and storage providers
• Analytics and data analysis services
• Customer support and communication tools
• Email delivery and marketing services
• Payment processors (if applicable)
• Security and fraud prevention services

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information if required by law or if we believe in good faith that such disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or legal processes
• Respond to claims or legal proceedings
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of TheTickSlayer, users, or the public
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues
• Enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements

4.4 Business Transfers

If TheTickSlayer is involved in a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, bankruptcy, or similar business transaction, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on the Service before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

4.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you provide explicit consent or direct us to do so.

4.6 Aggregated or De-Identified Information

We may share aggregated, de-identified, or anonymous information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you. This information may be used for research, analytics, marketing, and other purposes.

5.1 Third-Party Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not owned or controlled by TheTickSlayer. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services before providing them with your information.

5.2 Social Media Platforms

The Service may integrate with social media platforms (Discord, Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, etc.). If you choose to connect your social media accounts or share information through these platforms, your information will be subject to their respective privacy policies. We recommend reviewing the privacy settings and policies of these platforms.

5.3 Gaming Platforms

We may integrate with gaming platforms and services (Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) to enhance your experience. When you connect these accounts, we may receive information from these platforms in accordance with your settings and their privacy policies.

5.4 Analytics and Advertising Partners

We work with third-party analytics and advertising partners who may collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites. These partners may include:

• Google Analytics
• Facebook Pixel
• Twitter Analytics
• Other advertising networks and measurement services

6.1 Security Measures

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures designed to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure socket layer (SSL/TLS) technology
• Regular security assessments and audits
• Access controls and authentication protocols
• Employee training on data security practices
• Incident response and breach notification procedures

6.2 Your Responsibility

You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials. We recommend:

• Using a strong, unique password for your account
• Not sharing your password with others
• Enabling two-factor authentication when available
• Logging out of your account when using shared devices
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access

6.3 Limitations

While we strive to protect your information, no security system is impenetrable. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information, and we cannot be held liable for unauthorized access, hacking, data loss, or other breaches that occur despite our reasonable security measures. You transmit information to us at your own risk.

6.4 Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by applicable law. The notification will include information about the breach, the types of information affected, steps we are taking to address the breach, and recommendations for protecting your information.

7.1 Retention Criteria

The length of time we retain your information depends on several factors, including:

• The nature and sensitivity of the information
• The purposes for which we collected the information
• Our legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations
• The need to resolve disputes or enforce agreements
• The need to protect against fraud and abuse

7.2 Account Deletion

When you delete your account or request deletion of your information, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within a reasonable timeframe. Some information may be retained in backup systems or for legal purposes as described in this Privacy Policy.

7.3 Residual Information

Even after deletion, some information may remain in our systems as residual copies in backups, archives, or logs. This residual information is not accessible in the ordinary course of business and will be deleted in accordance with our data retention policies.

8.1 Age Restrictions

The Service is intended for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age without verified parental consent, as required by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

8.2 Parental Consent

If you are between 13 and 18 years of age (or the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction), you may only use the Service under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound by our Terms of Service and this Privacy Policy.

8.3 Information from Children

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without verified parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately using the contact information in Section 13.

8.4 Parental Rights

Parents and legal guardians have the right to:

• Review the personal information we have collected from their child
• Request deletion of their child's personal information
• Refuse to permit further collection or use of their child's information
• Consent to the collection and use of their child's information

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the contact information in Section 13.

9.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to receive a copy of that information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

9.2 Correction

You have the right to request that we correct or update inaccurate or incomplete personal information. You can update much of your information directly through your account settings.

9.3 Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (such as when we need to retain information to comply with legal obligations or establish, exercise, or defend legal claims).

9.4 Objection and Restriction

You have the right to object to or request restriction of certain types of processing of your personal information, such as processing for direct marketing purposes.

9.5 Withdraw Consent

If we process your information based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before withdrawal.

9.6 Opt-Out of Marketing

You can opt out of receiving promotional emails by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in the emails we send or by adjusting your communication preferences in your account settings. Please note that you may still receive transactional or administrative messages.

9.7 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information in Section 13. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law (typically 30-45 days). We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

9.8 No Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your privacy rights.

10.1 Categories of Information

We collect and have collected in the past 12 months the following categories of personal information:

• Identifiers (name, email address, username, IP address)
• Personal information under California Customer Records statute (contact information)
• Internet or network activity (browsing history, interactions with the Service)
• Geolocation data (general location based on IP address)
• Inferences (preferences, characteristics, behavior)
• Other information you provide (profile information, user-generated content)

10.2 Sources of Information

We collect personal information from: you (directly), your devices (automatically), third-party services, and publicly available sources.

10.3 Purposes for Collection

We collect and use personal information for the business and commercial purposes described in Section 2 of this Privacy Policy.

10.4 Information Sharing

We share personal information with service providers, business partners, and other third parties as described in Section 4 of this Privacy Policy. We do not sell personal information in the traditional sense, but we may share information with advertising partners in ways that could be considered a "sale" under CCPA.

10.5 Your CCPA Rights

As a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected, the sources, purposes, and third parties with whom we share it
• Delete: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to certain exceptions)
• Opt-Out of Sale: Opt out of the "sale" of your personal information to third parties
• Non-Discrimination: Exercise your rights without discriminatory treatment
• Designate an Agent: Authorize an agent to submit requests on your behalf

10.6 How to Submit CCPA Requests

To exercise your CCPA rights, please:

• Email us using the contact information in Section 13 with "CCPA Request" in the subject line
• Include your name, email address, and description of your request
• Provide sufficient information to verify your identity

We will respond to verifiable requests within 45 days. If we need additional time (up to 90 days total), we will notify you of the extension and reason.

10.7 Opt-Out of Sale

To opt out of the "sale" of your personal information, you can:

• Adjust your cookie preferences and disable advertising cookies
• Submit a request using the contact information in Section 13

10.8 "Shine the Light" Law

California's "Shine the Light" law (Civil Code Section 1798.83) permits California residents to request information about our disclosure of personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, please contact us using the contact information in Section 13.

11.1 Data Transfer

TheTickSlayer is based in the United States. If you access the Service from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate.

11.2 Data Protection Standards

The United States and other countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country of residence. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other countries. We take steps to ensure that your information receives an adequate level of protection in accordance with applicable laws.

11.3 EU/EEA and UK Users

If you are located in the European Union, European Economic Area, or United Kingdom, we rely on appropriate legal mechanisms for international data transfers, such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.