Privacy Policy
Last updated: 10 August 2026
Find the Faker ("the game", "we") is a free web party game operated by the owner of findthefaker.com. This policy explains the little data the game uses. Contact: hello@findthefaker.com.
What we collect
- A random device ID and secret token, stored in your own browser (localStorage), so the game can run your rounds and let you rejoin your seat. It is a random value, not your name, and we cannot link it to your real identity.
- A display name you choose and the one-word clues you type — these are shown to the other players in your room while you play.
- An experience level you choose (Rookie Detective, Sharp Sleuth, or Master Gumshoe), shown in your live room and correctable by its host so the game can match bot difficulty and apply beginner-friendly scoring. Master Gumshoe is the default. This is a gameplay preference unrelated to age and is not included in aggregate usage statistics.
- A coarse country code (e.g. "US"), derived on our server from your network, used only for anonymous "how many people are playing" statistics. We do not store your IP address or read your device's location or time zone.
- Aggregate gameplay and product counters, such as game mode, player count, bot difficulty and outcomes, how often each built-in word/category is played, and anonymous counts of clue timeouts/skips, fixed clue-validation reasons split between humans and bots, outcome cohorts by mode/table size/bot presence, majority-ready advances, menu choices, successful create/join actions, invite landings, shares, word-generator use, install prompts and rematches. These counters never contain room codes, display names, human clues, device identifiers, or words from a host's private custom pack.
No accounts. No email collection. No advertising. No analytics scripts. No third-party cookies. No selling or sharing of data.
Why, and our lawful basis
We use this data solely to operate the game and keep basic anonymous usage counts. Where UK/EU data protection law applies, our lawful basis is our legitimate interest in running and improving a free game (Art 6(1)(f) GDPR). The device ID/token is strictly necessary to provide the game and your rejoin feature.
Who else is involved
Our hosting provider, Amazon Web Services, processes traffic on our behalf as a data processor. Active rooms are held in memory and in temporary restart snapshots on our server so a deployment does not end a live game. A room expires after roughly 30 minutes with no connected players.
Your rights
Because your ID is random and not linked to your name, we usually cannot identify you from our records (Art 11 GDPR). If you send us the ID stored in your browser, we can delete any record tied to it. You may also clear the game's data yourself any time by clearing your browser's site data for findthefaker.com. If UK/EU law applies to you, you may complain to your local data-protection authority.
Children
Find the Faker is a general-audience game and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has provided information, email us and we will delete it.
Changes
If we change this policy we will update the date above and, for material changes, show a notice in the app. Continued play after a change means you accept the updated policy.