Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 2026
Deck of Thoughts ("the app," "we," "us") is operated by Darren Senel, FL, USA. This policy explains what information we collect when you use the Deck of Thoughts mobile app and website, how we use it, and the choices you have.
Information you give us
Account information
When you sign in with Google or Apple, we receive your name, email address and profile picture from that provider. If you use Sign in with Apple and choose "Hide My Email," we receive only the relay address Apple gives us.
Friends' email addresses
When you add a friend or send a card, you enter their email address or pick it from your phone's contacts. We store the addresses you add to your contacts list in the app. The app does not have access to your phone book. Your device's own picker returns only the one address you tap.
Cards and messages
We store the cards you send and receive, the personal messages you write on them, your favourites, and any deck ratings you leave.
Purchases
When you buy a deck, we record what you bought so we can unlock it for you. Payment details are handled entirely by Apple, Google Play or Stripe, and we never see or store your card number.
Information collected automatically
Gameplay and progress
Your level, XP, streaks, badges, quests, rewards and last sign-in date, which are used to run the app's game features.
Usage analytics
We use Google Firebase Analytics to understand how the app is used in general, such as which screens are visited and which features are popular.
Crash reports
We use Firebase Crashlytics to receive diagnostic data when the app crashes, including device model, operating system version and the state of the app at the time.
Notification token
If you allow notifications, we store a device token so we can tell you when a card arrives.
How we use your information
We use this information to:
- run your account and deliver cards between you and your friends,
- email a friend when you send them a card (the email shows your email address as the sender and may include the card image, name and your message),
- unlock purchased and earned decks,
- send notifications you have opted into,
- fix bugs and improve the app.
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for third-party advertising.
Message suggestions
The app can suggest message ideas for a card. To generate these, we send the card's name, its description and the deck's category to an AI service (Google Gemini). Your personal information and the messages you write are not included.
Who we share it with
We share information only with the service providers that run the app on our behalf:
| Provider | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Google Firebase (Authentication, Firestore, Cloud Functions, Analytics, Crashlytics, Cloud Messaging) | Accounts, data storage, app logic, analytics, crash reports, notifications |
| Google Sign-In / Sign in with Apple | Signing in |
| Twilio SendGrid | Sending card emails to recipients |
| Apple App Store, Google Play Billing, Stripe | Processing purchases |
| Google Gemini | Generating message suggestions (card content only) |
| Cloudinary | Hosting card and deck images |
We may also disclose information if the law requires it, or to protect the rights or safety of our users or others.
Friends you send cards to
When you send a card to someone who does not use the app yet, we use their email address only to deliver that card and invite them to view it. We do not add them to marketing lists.
How long we keep it
We keep your account data for as long as your account exists. When you delete your account, we delete your profile, contacts and progress within 30 days. Cards you already sent may remain visible to the people who received them. Analytics and crash data are kept according to Firebase's retention settings.
Your choices and rights
- Delete your account in the app under Settings > Delete account, or by emailing us at support@deckofthoughts.com.
- Turn off notifications in your device settings at any time.
- Access or correct your data by contacting us.
Depending on where you live (for example, the EU, UK or California), you may have additional rights, such as the right to access, correct, delete or port your data, or to object to certain processing. Contact us to exercise any of these rights.
Children
Deck of Thoughts is not intended for children under 9. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under this age. If you believe a child has given us information, contact us and we will delete it.
Security
Your data is stored on Google Firebase infrastructure, encrypted in transit, and protected by access rules that limit each user to their own data. No system is completely secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information.
International transfers
Our service providers may process data in the United States and other countries. By using the app, you understand that your information may be transferred to those countries.
Changes to this policy
We will post any changes on this page and update the date at the top. If a change is significant, we will notify you in the app.