1. Introduction

Welcome to Kardashev Ascension, developed by Quantum Ascent Labs ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we handle your information. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your personal information.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information Stored Locally

The following data is stored only on your device and is not transmitted to our servers:

• Game Progress: Your civilization level, resources, generators, research progress, and achievements
• Settings: Sound preferences, visual settings, and gameplay preferences
• Architect Collection: Your collected Architects and expedition history
• Purchase Records: Local records of in-app purchases for game functionality

2.2 Information Collected by Third-Party Services

We integrate the following third-party services that may collect data according to their own privacy policies:

• Google AdMob: Displays advertisements and may collect device identifiers, IP address, and ad interaction data for personalized advertising. Google Privacy Policy
• Google Play Billing: Processes in-app purchases. Payment information is handled entirely by Google. Google Privacy Policy
• Firebase Analytics: Collects anonymous usage statistics including session duration, feature usage, and crash reports to help us improve the game. Firebase Privacy Policy
• Firebase Crashlytics: Collects crash reports and diagnostic information to help us identify and fix bugs.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information to:

• Save and restore your game progress on your device
• Process in-app purchases and deliver purchased content
• Display advertisements to support free gameplay
• Analyze anonymous usage patterns to improve game features
• Identify and fix crashes and technical issues
• Provide customer support when requested

4. Advertising

Kardashev Ascension displays advertisements through Google AdMob to support free gameplay. You can watch optional rewarded video ads to earn in-game bonuses.

4.1 Ad Personalization

By default, AdMob may show personalized ads based on your interests and activity. You can opt out of personalized advertising:

• On Android: Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization
• On iOS: Settings → Privacy → Advertising → Limit Ad Tracking

5. In-App Purchases

Kardashev Ascension offers optional in-app purchases including Dark Matter packages, cosmetic items, and the Cosmic Membership subscription. All payment processing is handled securely by Google Play. We do not collect, store, or have access to your payment card details.

6. Data Storage and Security

Your game data is stored locally on your device using encrypted storage (Hive database). We implement industry-standard security measures to protect any data processed through our third-party service integrations.

• Local game data can be deleted by uninstalling the app or clearing app data
• We do not operate external servers that store your personal game data
• Third-party services maintain their own security practices

7. Children's Privacy

Kardashev Ascension is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request information about data collected about you
• Deletion: Delete your local game data by uninstalling the app or clearing app data in your device settings
• Opt-Out: Opt out of personalized advertising through your device settings
• Data Portability: Your game data is stored locally and can be backed up through your device's backup system

8.1 For California Residents (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act. We do not sell personal information to third parties.

8.2 For European Users (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation including the right to access, rectify, or erase your personal data.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.