Who we are & definitions
“We,” “us,” “our” means NorthForge Tech, the publisher of Squirrel Stash: Nut Merge. We act as the data controller for personal data described in this policy. Privacy requests: contact@northforgetech.io.
“You” means the person using the game. “Service” means the Squirrel Stash: Nut Merge mobile application and its features as offered from time to time.
What this covers
This Privacy Policy describes how we handle information in connection with the Service. It does not govern the Apple App Store, Google Play, or payment processors you use to obtain the app; those providers have their own privacy notices and terms.
The game may be used in many countries (including the EU, UK, US, Middle East, and elsewhere). Your local laws may give you additional rights; where this policy and local law conflict, local law applies to the extent required.
Children & age
The Service is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. The game includes advertising. You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service, or the minimum age required in your country if that is higher. If you are between 13 and the age of majority where you live, you should review this policy with a parent or guardian. If you believe we have received information from a child under 13, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.
What we collect & how we use it
Accounts
Squirrel Stash: Nut Merge does not require you to create an account, sign in, or set a password.
Device & technical information
When you use the Service, our advertising partners may automatically receive technical information such as device type, operating system version, language, general region, IP address, and mobile advertising identifiers (for example Apple’s IDFA or Google’s Advertising ID, where available and permitted). We use this indirectly through AdMob to show and measure ads, limit ad frequency, and comply with consent choices.
What we do not collect through the game
The game does not request access to your location, microphone, camera, contacts, or photo library for core gameplay. Optional sharing uses a temporary image file only when you choose to share.
Local game data
Much of your gameplay data stays on your device and is not sent to our servers:
- Settings — sound, music, and vibration preferences (stored using the platform’s local storage).
- High score — your best score on the device.
- In-progress run — board state, score, power-up counts, and nut positions may be saved locally so you can resume a run after closing the app. This save is cleared when you start a fresh run or remove the app.
Deleting the app or clearing app data on your device will generally remove this local information.
Advertising (Google AdMob)
The Service is free and supported by advertising through Google AdMob. Depending on your platform, settings, and region, you may see:
- Banner ads — small ads shown in or around gameplay when enabled.
- Rewarded video ads — optional ads you can watch to receive in-game benefits (for example continuing a run or earning power-ups).
- App-open ads — full-screen ads when you open or return to the app.
- Interstitial ads — full-screen ads between natural breaks in play, when configured.
Google may collect and use data about you and your device to deliver, personalise, and measure ads, subject to your choices and applicable law. In the EEA, UK, and other regions where required, we use Google’s User Messaging Platform (UMP) or similar tools to obtain or record your consent for personalised advertising and related cookies or identifiers where applicable.
You can limit ad tracking in your device settings (for example “Limit Ad Tracking” on iOS or “Opt out of Ads Personalisation” on Android). Google’s privacy policy and AdMob documentation describe their processing in more detail.
Legal bases (EU / UK)
Where the GDPR or UK GDPR applies, we rely on appropriate bases such as: performance of a contract (providing the game you request); legitimate interests (for example operating and securing the Service, understanding aggregate use, and fraud prevention at a basic level), balanced against your rights; and consent where required (for example personalised advertising in regions where consent is required). Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to certain processing, and in some cases data portability. Much of your game data is stored only on your device—deleting the app or clearing app data may erase it. For requests relating to data processed through our advertising setup or other systems we control, email contact@northforgetech.io and we will respond within a reasonable time and in line with applicable law (typically within one month for EU/UK requests, subject to extension where permitted).
You may also manage ad personalisation through your device settings and, where shown, through in-app consent tools. In the EU or UK, you may lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.
Retention
Local game data remains on your device until you delete it, clear app data, or uninstall the app. We do not operate a central account database for routine gameplay saves described in this policy.
Advertising partners retain data according to their own policies and your consent choices. We retain correspondence related to privacy requests for as long as needed to handle your request and comply with law.
Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data we handle. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.
International transfers
Our service providers (including Google) may process data in the United States, the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and other countries where they operate. If personal data is transferred from the EEA, UK, or Switzerland to countries without an adequacy decision, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as the Standard Contractual Clauses (and, for UK transfers, the UK International Data Transfer Addendum where applicable) or other mechanisms recognised under applicable law. You may request more information by emailing contact@northforgetech.io.
Purchases
Squirrel Stash: Nut Merge is currently offered without in-app purchases or subscriptions. If we introduce paid features later, payments will be processed by Apple and/or Google and we will update this policy and provide any additional terms required by the stores.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the new version at the official URL above and change the “Last updated” date. For material changes, we will also use reasonable in-product notice where practical (for example release notes or an in-app message).
Contact
Privacy questions and data requests: contact@northforgetech.io