Pixel Sand
This Privacy Policy explains how personal data is collected, used, shared and protected when you play or interact with Pixel Sand, a mobile game developed by MiniPixel S.r.l. (Data Processor) and published by GANKO S.r.l. (Data Controller).
GANKO S.r.l. is the Data Controller responsible for determining the purposes and means of personal data processing in connection with the Game. MiniPixel S.r.l. acts as Data Processor under contract with GANKO.
Contact:
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you do not agree with the way we process personal data, please do not use Pixel Sand.
We collect only the data reasonably necessary to provide, maintain, improve and monetize the Game.
When you contact support or communicate with us, we may collect:
Note: Please do not send sensitive personal information (passwords, full payment details, ID numbers) unless strictly necessary for your request.
When you use Pixel Sand, we automatically collect:
This data helps us operate the Game, fix bugs, improve gameplay balance, measure performance, understand feature usage and prevent fraud or abuse.
Pixel Sand uses analytics services to understand how players use the Game. These services include Firebase, Google Analytics for Firebase, and Amplitude.
Analytics data includes automatically collected events such as:
We use this data to improve gameplay, identify bugs, understand player retention, test new features, and measure the effectiveness of updates and events.
Pixel Sand displays advertisements, including rewarded ads, interstitial ads and other ad formats.
To show ads, measure performance and personalize ads where allowed, we and our advertising partners may process:
Where required by law, we ask for your consent before personalized advertising. You can change your choices through the Game settings, consent popups, or your device settings.
On iOS: Apple's App Tracking Transparency framework asks for permission before tracking activity across other apps and websites. If you decline, we may still show ads, but they may be less personalized.
On Android: You can reset or delete your Advertising ID through your device privacy settings.
Pixel Sand offers in-app purchases processed by the app store (Apple App Store or Google Play). We do not collect or store your full payment card details.
We receive and process purchase-related information, such as:
We use this to provide purchased content, verify transactions, prevent fraud, restore purchases, provide support and comply with legal obligations.
We use personal data for the following purposes:
If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom or another region with similar data protection requirements, we process personal data under one or more of these legal bases:
We process data when necessary to provide the Game, save progress, deliver purchased items, restore purchases and provide core features.
We rely on consent for personalized ads, tracking, certain analytics uses, push notifications and similar technologies. Where required by law, we ask for your explicit consent before processing. You can withdraw consent at any time through Game settings or device settings.
We process data for legitimate business purposes, such as improving the Game, fixing bugs, detecting fraud, maintaining security, understanding player retention and supporting users. We conduct a Legitimate Interest Assessment (LIA) for each processing activity to ensure our interests do not override your rights and freedoms. These assessments are documented and available upon request to data protection authorities.
We process data when required to comply with applicable laws, tax regulations, accounting requirements, consumer protection laws, app store policies or regulatory obligations.
Pixel Sand uses third-party services to operate, analyze, monetize and improve the Game. These include:
| Service | Purpose | Data Category |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase | Cloud backend, real-time database, crash reporting | Gameplay, user accounts, diagnostics |
| Google Analytics for Firebase | Analytics and player behavior insights | Sessions, events, user interactions |
| Amplitude | Analytics, user cohorts and retention measurement | Event data, user properties, engagement metrics |
| Google AdMob | Ad serving and mediation | Ad interactions, impressions, device ID |
| App store services | Distribution, payments, in-app purchase validation | Purchase data, account identifiers |
| Cloud hosting and infrastructure | Game backend, data storage | Game data, user accounts, logs |
| Support and communication tools | Customer support, bug reports | Support emails, player IDs, device info |
These third parties process personal data according to their own privacy policies. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies:
We have Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) in place with each processor to ensure they meet GDPR and other legal requirements.
Your data may be processed in countries outside the EU/EEA, including the United States. Some countries may have different data protection laws than your home country.
Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for international transfers, including Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and contractual data processing agreements with third parties.
We keep personal data only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy.
| Data Category | Retention Period | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Gameplay progress and accounts | For the duration of your account, then 12 months after deletion request | Service provision, dispute resolution |
| Support/contact emails | 3 years after final response | Support records, dispute handling |
| Purchase records | Typically 7 years | Tax compliance, EU accounting regulations, fraud/refund investigation |
| Analytics data (Firebase, Amplitude) | Per service retention settings (typically 14 months) | Performance analysis, feature testing |
| Crash logs and diagnostics | 90 days | Bug fixing and technical troubleshooting |
| Security and fraud logs | Up to 90 days | Legal compliance, fraud prevention |
| Advertising and tracking data | Per ad network policy (typically 30-90 days) | Ad performance measurement |
| Aggregated or anonymized data | Indefinite | Statistical analysis, no longer identifies you |
When data is no longer needed, we delete, anonymize or securely dispose of it.
Pixel Sand displays ads from third-party networks and mediation platforms. These partners may use identifiers, cookies or similar technologies to deliver, limit frequency, measure performance and personalize ads.
Where required, we show a consent message allowing you to accept, reject or customize advertising choices. You can manage choices anytime through:
Rejecting personalized ads may result in less relevant contextual ads, but you will still see ads.
Depending on your location, you may have rights including:
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@pixelsand.ganko.com with your request and relevant details (player ID, device ID, email, etc.).
For security reasons, we may ask you to verify your identity before processing your request. Please do not send passwords or full payment card information.
We aim to respond to valid requests within 30 days.
Pixel Sand may request permission to send push notifications about gameplay events, updates, rewards and announcements.
You can disable push notifications anytime through your device settings.
Pixel Sand is intended for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of digital consent in their jurisdiction (typically 13-16 depending on local law) without appropriate parental or guardian consent.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe a child has provided personal data without consent, please contact us immediately at privacy@pixelsand.ganko.com. We will review and take appropriate action, including deletion where required.
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, loss, misuse or alteration. However, no online service or transmission is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we work to maintain adequate safeguards.
If you suspect a security breach, contact us immediately at privacy@pixelsand.ganko.com.
Pixel Sand may include ads, links or content from third parties. If you click a link or interact with third-party content, you may leave the Game.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content or terms of third-party websites, apps or services. Please review their privacy policies before sharing personal data.
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in the Game, our practices, our partners or legal requirements.
Material changes will be communicated through the Game, app store updates, our website or email notice. Your continued use of the Game after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
The latest version is always available at: https://pixelsand.ganko.com/privacy-policy/
For questions, privacy requests, complaints or support regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices:
Please include "Pixel Sand Privacy Request" in your email subject line for faster processing.
If you believe we are not complying with your privacy rights, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority or supervisory authority.