Catford Labs Smart software. Real impact.

PlayMahjong Privacy Policy

Effective date: 20 August 2026 · App bundle ID: net.rahtid.apps.playmahjong.app

This Privacy Policy describes how Catford Labs (“we”, “us”) handles information in connection with the PlayMahjong mobile application for iPhone and iPad (“PlayMahjong” or the “App”).

PlayMahjong is an energy-themed mahjong game. Core play works offline. Optional features use Apple Game Center, Apple In-App Purchase, Google AdMob advertising, and anonymous product analytics via TelemetryDeck. We do not send names, emails, Game Center identifiers, match IDs, or tile hands to analytics.

1. Who is responsible

Controller / developer contact for PlayMahjong privacy questions: support@catfordlabs.com

2. Information we process

Depending on how you use PlayMahjong, the following categories may be processed:

Local app preferences (on your device). Table settings (speed, sound, theme, tile back), Daily Mix best/streak, Career progress, shop entitlements cache, teaching-tip flags, and local win counters stored with Apple’s UserDefaults on your device. This data stays on the device unless you back up or transfer the device with Apple tools.
Game Center (Apple). If you sign in to Game Center, Apple may process your Game Center account identifiers, display name, match data for turn-based multiplayer, leaderboard scores, and achievements. We use Game Center to authenticate players, sync online turns, and report scores/achievements.
Purchases (Apple). Optional non-consumable In-App Purchases (for example Full Table and Remove Ads) are processed by Apple. We receive purchase entitlement status through StoreKit so the App can unlock themes, tile backs, or remove ads. We do not receive your full payment card details.
Advertising (Google AdMob). If ads are not removed by purchase, the App may show between-round interstitial ads via Google Mobile Ads. Ad delivery may involve device advertising identifiers, IP address, device/app info, and approximate location as described by Google. Where required, we request consent through Google’s User Messaging Platform (UMP) and may request App Tracking Transparency permission on iOS.
Local notifications (on your device). If you allow notifications, the App may schedule optional local “your turn” alerts for online Game Center matches. These alerts are created on your device and are not sent through a Catford Labs push server.
Anonymous usage analytics (TelemetryDeck). The App may send hashed install identifiers and non-identifying product events (for example which mode you started, whether a round finished, shop and purchase outcomes, and whether an ad break was shown). These signals do not include your name, email, Game Center ID, match IDs, or the tiles in your hand. TelemetryDeck hashes the install identifier on the device and again on its servers. Analytics does not use the advertising identifier and is not tied to App Tracking Transparency.
Support communications. If you email us, we process the content of your message and your email address to respond.

3. How we use information

Provide and operate PlayMahjong gameplay, Patterns, themes, and tile backs
Enable online turn-based play, leaderboards, and achievements via Game Center
Optional local your-turn alerts for online matches (plus Game Center’s own turn reminders)
Process and restore purchases
Show advertising (unless removed) and measure basic ad performance via AdMob
Respond to support requests and improve reliability
Understand anonymous feature usage so we can improve PlayMahjong
Comply with law and platform policies (Apple, Google)

4. Legal bases (where GDPR / UK GDPR apply)

Where those laws apply, we rely on:

Contract — to provide the App features you use
Legitimate interests — to maintain security, prevent abuse, and improve the App in ways that do not override your rights
Consent — for personalized advertising / tracking where required (UMP consent and/or ATT), which you can withdraw in device or consent settings
Legal obligation — where we must keep or disclose information under law

5. Sharing and processors

We do not sell your personal information. We use service providers / platforms that process data on our behalf or as independent controllers:

Apple Inc. — App Store, Game Center, StoreKit / In-App Purchase, device services. See Apple’s Privacy Policy.
Google LLC (AdMob / User Messaging Platform) — advertising and consent messaging when ads are shown. See Google’s Privacy Policy and AdMob help.
TelemetryDeck GmbH — anonymous product analytics. See TelemetryDeck’s Privacy Policy.

Your online multiplayer opponents may see Game Center display names and public game activity according to Apple’s Game Center settings.

6. Advertising, tracking, and your choices

Purchase Full Table or Remove Ads to stop between-round ads in the App.
On iOS, you can allow or deny tracking via the system App Tracking Transparency prompt and later in Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.
In regions that require it, Google’s UMP consent form lets you manage ad personalization choices. You may see a privacy options entry point if Google requires one for your region.
Device-level Limit Ad Tracking / personalized ads settings also affect what partners can do.
You can deny notification permission to stop optional local your-turn alerts; Game Center may still show its own turn notices.
Anonymous TelemetryDeck analytics does not use the advertising identifier and is separate from the tracking prompt.

7. Data retention

Local preferences remain on your device until you delete the App or clear app data.
Game Center and purchase records are retained by Apple under Apple’s policies.
AdMob may retain advertising and consent logs under Google’s policies.
TelemetryDeck retains anonymous usage signals under TelemetryDeck’s policies.
Support emails are kept as long as needed to handle your request and our legitimate business records.

8. International transfers

Apple, Google, and TelemetryDeck may process data in the United States, the European Union, and other countries. Where required, those companies use appropriate transfer mechanisms described in their privacy documentation.

9. Children

PlayMahjong is a general-audience board game and is not directed at children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children for our own databases. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us directly by email, contact us and we will delete it. Parents and guardians should use Apple Screen Time / Game Center restrictions as appropriate.

10. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to certain processing, and to withdraw consent. For data held only on your device, you can delete the App. For Game Center, purchases, and ads, use Apple and Google account/privacy controls, or email us at support@catfordlabs.com and we will help where we can. You may also complain to your local data protection authority.

11. Security

We use platform security features provided by Apple and Google. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure. Please keep your Apple ID and device protected.

12. Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Effective date” at the top will change when we do. Continued use of PlayMahjong after an update means you acknowledge the revised policy.

13. Contact

Catford Labs — PlayMahjong privacy & support
Email: support@catfordlabs.com