Who and what this policy covers
This policy explains how the developer of the GlowPebbles Android app and the glowpebbles.uk website handles information. It applies to current versions of the app, whether installed directly or through an app store.
Children's privacy
The child-facing play area contains no forms, accounts, advertising, purchases, external links or communication features. It does not ask for names, email addresses, ages, voices, photos, location, contacts or other personal information.
Website access, privacy information and the optional telemetry setting are available only through the parent gate. A caregiver makes the telemetry choice; it is never presented to the child.
Information kept on the device
GlowPebbles stores only the settings needed to run the app and simple non-identifying counters, such as current and lifetime interactions and sessions. Drawings are temporary and are not saved. Android backup and data extraction are disabled.
Local information can be removed using the parent-gated reset where available, by clearing the app's storage in Android settings, or by uninstalling the app.
Optional anonymous usage and performance statistics
Sharing is off unless a caregiver explicitly opts in from parent-gated Settings. The app remains fully usable if sharing is declined or later disabled.
If enabled, GlowPebbles sends anonymous aggregate reports containing:
- app version and Android version;
- device manufacturer and model, plus basic display characteristics;
- the automatically determined and selected High, Medium or Low performance presets;
- the UTC date associated with each daily aggregate; and
- aggregate session starts, active time, accepted interactions and frame-pacing information for each play mode.
Reports do not contain personal information, location, advertising or Android identifiers, touch or gesture data, exact play timestamps, or any persistent identifier that could be used to recognise a user, device or installation. Individual session lengths are not collected.
How information is used and shared
Aggregate telemetry is used only to improve GlowPebbles and diagnose broad compatibility or performance problems. It is not used for advertising, profiling, personalisation or attempts to identify a child or caregiver.
GlowPebbles does not sell telemetry or share it with advertisers, data brokers or analytics providers. The collection service and database are hosted by Fasthosts, which processes the technical information needed to provide and secure that hosting. See the Fasthosts privacy notice.
The website may display anonymous aggregate statistics derived from optional telemetry, such as the total number of reported interactions. These statistics cannot be linked to individual users, children or devices.
Connection information
As with any Internet service, the hosting provider receives the connecting IP address and basic technical request information when the app or website connects. GlowPebbles does not store raw IP addresses with telemetry or use them to identify or track users.
Hosting access and security logs may contain IP addresses and technical request information under the hosting provider's normal operational and retention practices. These logs are not combined with app telemetry to create user profiles.
Security
Telemetry is transmitted securely over HTTPS. Reasonable technical measures are used to protect the collection service and database, including validation of submitted reports and restricted database access.
Retention and deletion
- Local settings and counters remain until reset, app storage is cleared, or the app is uninstalled.
- Disabling telemetry stops future collection and deletes telemetry that has not yet been sent.
- Accepted aggregate telemetry is retained for no longer than 18 months and is then deleted.
- Anonymous cumulative statistics published on the website may be retained indefinitely.
Accepted anonymous telemetry contains no account or persistent identifier. This means the developer cannot identify or selectively delete an individual's already-submitted telemetry. Private support reports are separate and can be deleted as described below.
This website and external services
The public GlowPebbles website does not include advertising, browser analytics, tracking pixels or visitor accounts, and does not set cookies or store information in browser local or session storage. The hosting provider still receives ordinary connection information as described above.
APK downloads and the private support form are served directly by glowpebbles.uk. No third-party account is required to contact the developer.
Support
The support form collects a category and message, an optional reply email address, and optional app and device diagnostics. Please do not include children's names or other personal information. An email address is used only to reply to the report.
When the support form is opened from the app, basic diagnostic information may be pre-filled. It is sent only if you submit the form, and you can remove it first.
Support reports are not matched to telemetry or used for tracking or profiling. The support service works independently of the app's optional telemetry setting.
Support reports, optional email addresses and diagnostics remain until manually deleted. To request deletion, use the support form and provide enough information to locate your earlier report.
Policy changes
This page will be updated before GlowPebbles materially changes its data practices. The effective date above records the latest revision.
Privacy contact
Privacy questions can be submitted through the private GlowPebbles support form. No account is required. Include an optional reply email if you would like a response.