Shadow Escape does not ask for your name, email or any account. A backup of your game progress is kept in Google's Firebase under a random ID that is not linked to you, and crash reports help us fix bugs. Apart from that, the only data that leaves the device is what Google collects to show ads, and, if you buy something, what Google Play needs to process the purchase.
Who we are
Shadow Escape is made by MMSO Soft, El Shorouk, Cairo, Egypt, which is responsible for this game ("we"). Contact: mahmoudkofcis@gmail.com.
What stays on your device
Your settings, control layout and whether you have bought Remove Ads are stored only on your phone. Your progress (stars, levels completed, coins, upgrades and achievements) is stored on your phone and backed up as described below. Using Settings → Gameplay → Reset Save Data deletes your progress on the phone and replaces the backup with an empty one.
Progress backup (Google Firebase)
So that your progress is not lost, the game keeps a copy of it in Google Firebase (Firebase Authentication and Realtime Database; the backup itself is stored in the EU). To do this, Firebase gives this installation a random anonymous ID. The ID is not linked to your name, email, Google account or advertising ID, and the backup contains only game progress. Only this installation can read or change its own backup.
Because the backup is anonymous, we cannot find it from your name or email. Reset Save Data empties it. If you uninstall the game, its anonymous ID is lost with it and the backup can no longer be reached by anyone.
Daily Climb leaderboard
When you finish a Daily Climb, your best floor of the day is sent to the same Firebase database, together with a random number, so it can appear on that day's public leaderboard. Other players see you under a made-up name the game builds from that number (for example "Silent Crane 4821"). Nothing you type is sent or shown, and the anonymous ID used for the backup is never displayed.
Crash reports (Firebase Crashlytics)
If the game crashes or hits an error, Firebase Crashlytics sends a report so we can fix it. A report contains what the game was doing when it failed, the device model, operating system version, app version, the amount of free memory and storage, and a random installation ID used to count how many devices a problem affects. It does not contain your progress or anything that identifies you. Google keeps crash reports for 90 days.
Game settings from the server (Firebase Remote Config)
The game downloads a few settings from Firebase Remote Config, such as how often ads may appear and how many coins a star gives, so we can adjust them without an update. To deliver them, Firebase uses a random installation ID and basic device and app information. Firebase's own analytics is switched off in the game.
Ads (Google AdMob)
The game shows ads through Google AdMob: an optional video you can choose to watch for a revive or double coins, and an occasional full-screen ad between levels. To serve and measure these ads, Google may collect:
- your device's advertising ID,
- your IP address and the approximate location derived from it,
- device and app information (model, operating system, language),
- how you interact with ads.
Google uses this to show ads, limit how often you see them, measure their performance and prevent fraud. Whether ads are personalised to you depends on your choices below. We do not receive this data in a form that identifies you. Google's use of it is described at How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services and in the Google Privacy Policy.
Your choices about ads
- In the EEA, the UK and Switzerland, the game asks for your consent before any ad is requested, using Google's consent tool. You can change your answer at any time in Settings → Gameplay → Privacy Options.
- On any Android phone, you can reset or delete your advertising ID in your phone's settings (Settings → Google → Ads), which stops ads being personalised to you.
- Remove Ads, a one-time purchase, stops the between-level ads. The optional reward videos remain available if you want them.
- Declining consent never stops you playing.
Purchases (Google Play)
Purchases are handled entirely by Google Play. We never see your payment details. The game receives only a confirmation of what was bought, which it uses to unlock the item and to restore it if you reinstall. Google's handling of your payment is covered by the Google Privacy Policy and the Google Play terms.
What we do not collect
The game does not access your contacts, photos, camera, microphone or precise location, does not use analytics (Firebase Analytics is switched off), and does not sell or share personal data with anyone other than the Google services described above.
Children
Shadow Escape is intended for players aged 13 and over (or the higher age of digital consent where you live), and is not directed at children. If you believe a child has used the game in a way that caused data to be collected, contact us and we will help.
Your rights
Depending on where you live (including under the GDPR, the UK GDPR and the CCPA/CPRA), you may have the right to access, correct or delete your personal data, to object to or restrict its processing, and to withdraw consent. Because the data we hold is anonymous and cannot be linked to you, most requests are answered by the controls above and by Google's tools at myaccount.google.com. For anything else, email us and we will reply within one month. You may also complain to your local data protection authority.
Legal basis (EEA and UK)
Personalised advertising is based on your consent. Non-personalised advertising, fraud prevention and processing purchases are based on our legitimate interest in funding and operating a free game, and on performing the purchase you asked for. The progress backup, crash reports and server settings are based on our legitimate interest in keeping your progress safe and the game working.
Changes
If this policy changes, the new version will be posted on this page with a new effective date.