Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Football Squares Pool ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect, use, and share information about you. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle your personal information when you use our service.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information when you use our service:

• Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and password (stored securely using industry-standard encryption).
• Pool Information: Information about the football squares pools you create or join, including team names, game details, and square claims.
• Usage Data: Information about how you use our service, including your IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide, maintain, and improve our service
• To create and manage your account
• To facilitate the creation and management of football squares pools
• To communicate with you about your account and pools
• To send you email communications if you have provided your email address and consented to receive such communications, including pool notifications, updates, and promotional content
• To analyze usage patterns and improve user experience
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues or fraudulent activity

4. Email Communications

If you provide your email address during signup and consent to receive emails, we may send you:

• Account-related notifications and updates
• Pool activity notifications (new claims, score updates, winners)
• Service announcements and updates
• Promotional content and feature highlights

You can opt out of promotional emails at any time by contacting us, though we may still send you essential account-related communications.

5. Cookies and Analytics

By visiting and using our website, you agree to our use of cookies and analytics technologies. We use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for authentication and basic functionality of the service (such as maintaining your login session).
• Analytics: We may use analytics services to understand how users interact with our service, helping us improve functionality and user experience.

These technologies help us provide a better, more personalized experience.

6. Information Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Within Pools: Your display name and claimed squares are visible to other participants in pools you join.
• Service Providers: With trusted third-party service providers who assist in operating our service (e.g., hosting, email delivery) under strict confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights, property, or safety.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes:

• Encrypted storage of passwords using bcrypt
• Secure HTTPS connections for all data transmission
• JWT-based authentication with httpOnly cookies
• Regular security reviews and updates

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Withdraw consent for email communications
• Export your data in a portable format

To exercise these rights, please contact us at the email address below.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. If you request account deletion, we will delete your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes (such as resolving disputes or enforcing agreements).

10. Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the service after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Email: privacy@footballsquarespool.com