Privacy policy

Last updated: 7 November 2026

This policy explains what data the Handshake app ("Handshake", "we") and the website www.hand-shake.dev handle, why, and what choices you have.

No account needed

Handshake works without an account, a password or an email address. The nickname you type is stored on your phone and shared only with the other players of the games you join.

Data we handle

• Games. To run a game our server keeps the game code, the players' nicknames, the filters you chose and the votes, only while the game is in progress (idle games are deleted after a few hours).
• Matches. When a game ends with a match, we keep the matched item (for example the movie or the restaurant) and how many times it was matched, without any link to you, to show popular choices.
• Your own lists. If you create a custom list, its options and the photos you add are stored on our server so the other players can see them.
• Location. For restaurants, bars, museums and night clubs the app sends your position to our server to find places around you. We use it for the search only and do not store it. To find the places we send the search area (not your identity) to Google Places.
• Technical data. Like any server, ours receives your IP address and basic request data; they are kept in technical logs for security and troubleshooting for a short time.
• Contact form. If you write to us, we use your name, email and message only to reply to you.

Third-party services in the app

• Google AdMob shows ads in the free version. It may use device identifiers and, where you allow it (for example through Apple's tracking prompt or your Android ad settings), personalised advertising. See Google's ads policy.
• Google Firebase Analytics tells us how the app is used (screens, crashes, device type) so we can improve it. See Google's privacy policy.
• Push notifications (Apple Push Notification service, Firebase Cloud Messaging) use a device token to tell you when another player acted.
• Subscriptions are handled by the App Store or Google Play. We never see your payment details; we only receive whether your subscription is active.

We do not sell or rent your personal data, and we do not share it with third parties without your consent, except with the services listed above, when required by law, or as described in this policy.

Links to other services

Suggestions may link to third-party websites or apps (for example streaming services, maps or recipe pages). We do not control their privacy practices; please read their policies before giving them personal information.

Security

We take reasonable measures to protect the data we handle against unauthorised access, change or loss, and all traffic between the app, the website and our server is encrypted. No system is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your choices

• You can refuse or revoke location access in your phone settings; the place games will not work without it.
• You can limit ad tracking in your phone settings (iOS: Settings › Privacy › Tracking; Android: Settings › Google › Ads).
• You can turn notifications off in your phone settings.
• To delete a custom list and its photos, or for any request about your data (access, correction, deletion), write to us through the contact form or at [email protected].

Children

Handshake is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect their data.

Changes

We may update this policy; the date at the top shows the latest version.

Contact

Questions about this policy or your data: use the contact form or write to [email protected].