Privacy Policy


Status: December 2024

Controller
The controller responsible for data processing within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is:

Frederik Menke
E-Mail: mail@frederikmenke.de
Address: Twietenkoppel 55a, 22395 Hamburg, Germany

General information on data processing
This privacy policy informs you about the type, scope and purpose of the processing of personal data in our Bridge learning app “Renate” (hereinafter referred to as “App”).

The App is distributed by Apple via the App Store and runs on iOS devices. We process personal data only within the framework of the applicable data protection laws, in particular the GDPR.

Collected and processed data

3.1 Profile data
The App collects and processes the following personal data that you voluntarily enter:

Name: The player name chosen by you
Experience level: Your self-selected experience level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert)
Favorite color: Your preferred color for the app interface
Profile picture: Optional profile picture uploaded by you

Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent)


3.2 Game statistics and performance data
The App automatically collects the following data regarding your usage:

Number of games played
Number of games won
Average score
Detailed statistics for various game modes:
Renate Helps (number of answers received)
Word Game (correct solutions, games played)
Training (vocabulary learned, daily hands)
Memory Game (games played, best times)
Jokes (shared jokes)
Achievements and successes
Recent play times

Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR (performance of contract) and Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent)


3.3 App settings and preferences
The App stores your personal settings:

Sound settings
Haptic feedback
Dark mode preference
Notification settings
Auto-save settings

Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR (performance of contract)


3.4 Technical data
The following technical data is automatically collected when using the App:

Device information (device type, operating system version)
App version
Usage times
Error logs (only in case of errors)

Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR (legitimate interest in app stability)

Storage and storage locations

4.1 Local storage
Some of your data is stored locally on your device:

UserDefaults: App settings, local best times, notification settings
Device storage: Temporary data and cache

This data remains on your device and is not transmitted to third parties.


4.2 CloudKit / iCloud
The App uses Apple CloudKit to synchronize your data:

Private CloudKit database: Your personal profile data, statistics and settings are stored in your private iCloud
Public CloudKit database: The following anonymized data is stored publicly for leaderboards:
Player name
Best times (Memory Game)
Number of games played
Recent play time

Important: Using CloudKit requires an active iCloud account. The data is stored on Apple servers. Apple acts as a data processor within the meaning of Art. 28 GDPR.

Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent) and Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR (performance of contract)

Storage duration: Your data is stored as long as you use the App and an iCloud account is active. You may delete your data at any time (see section 7).


4.3 OpenAI API
The App uses the OpenAI API for AI-powered Bridge assistance (Renate Helps):

Transmitted data: Your Bridge questions and contextual information are transmitted to OpenAI
Purpose: Providing AI-generated answers to Bridge questions
Storage: OpenAI stores the transmitted data in accordance with its privacy policy

Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent)

Note: Use of the OpenAI API is optional. You may deactivate this feature in the settings.

Further information: OpenAI Privacy Policy: https://openai.com/policies/privacy-policy

Purpose of data processing

We process your personal data for the following purposes:

Provision of app functionality: Storage of your profile, statistics and settings
Synchronization between devices: Via CloudKit/iCloud
Leaderboards: Display of rankings (only with your player name and anonymized statistics)
AI assistance: Provision of AI-based Bridge help via OpenAI
App improvement: Analysis of errors to improve app stability
Notifications: Optional push notifications (only with your consent)
Data disclosure


6.1 To third parties
We generally do not disclose your personal data to third parties, except:

Apple (CloudKit/iCloud): As a data processor for cloud synchronization
OpenAI: For AI-powered Bridge assistance (only when using this feature)
Legal obligations: When we are legally required to do so


6.2 Public data
The following data is publicly visible in leaderboards:

Player name
Best times (Memory Game)
Number of games played
Recent play time

This data is visible to all app users in the leaderboards.

Your rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:


7.1 Right of access (Art. 15 GDPR)
You have the right to obtain information about your stored personal data.

7.2 Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)
You may request the correction or completion of inaccurate or incomplete data at any time.

7.3 Right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR)
You may request the deletion of your personal data. In the App, you can:

Delete your profile in the settings
Delete your data via iCloud settings

7.4 Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR)
You may request the restriction of the processing of your data.

7.5 Right to data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)
You may request the transfer of your data in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format.

7.6 Right to object (Art. 21 GDPR)
You may object to the processing of your data for reasons arising from your particular situation.

7.7 Withdrawal of consent (Art. 7 para. 3 GDPR)
You may withdraw your consent at any time. The lawfulness of data processing prior to withdrawal remains unaffected.

7.8 Right to lodge a complaint (Art. 77 GDPR)
You have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority if you believe that the processing of your personal data violates the GDPR.


Competent supervisory authority in Germany:
The supervisory authority responsible for us is:
[Insert name and contact details of the competent supervisory authority]

Data security
We implement technical and organizational measures to protect your data:

Encryption: Data transmission is encrypted (HTTPS)
CloudKit: Use of Apple’s secure CloudKit infrastructure
Local storage: Sensitive data is stored locally on your device
Access control: Only you have access to your private data

Note: Despite all security measures, complete security cannot be guaranteed.

Storage duration


We store your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes mentioned:
Profile and game data: Until deleted by you or until the app is uninstalled
CloudKit data: Until deleted by you or deactivation of your iCloud account
Local data: Until the app is uninstalled



After the storage period ends, your data will be deleted unless legal retention obligations prevent this.

Minors

The App is not intended for persons under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors under 16.
If, as a parent or guardian, you discover that your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us so we can delete the data.

Changes to this privacy policy

We reserve the right to update this privacy policy to reflect changes in legal requirements or modifications to the App’s functionality.

The current version is available in the App. In the event of significant changes, we will notify you via the App.