Privacy Policy

Last Updated: [21/02/2026]

This Privacy Policy explains how the Empires & Puzzles Forum ("the Forum", "we", "us") collects, uses, and protects information from users ("you").

The Forum is a community-made and community-run, unofficial fan forum and is not affiliated with, or operated by Small Giant Games (SGG), Zynga, or any related companies.

The Forum administrators act as the data controller for the purposes of applicable data protection law.

1. Who This Forum Is For

The Forum is intended only for individuals aged 13 years or older.

By registering or using the Forum, you confirm that you are at least 13 years of age. Users under 13 are not permitted to use the Forum.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the minimum information necessary to operate the Forum.

This may include:

• Username

• Email address (for account registration, verification, or recovery)

• IP address (for security, moderation, and abuse prevention)

• Login timestamps and basic activity logs

• Any information you voluntarily choose to post on the Forum

You are responsible for ensuring that any information you share publicly does not contain personal or sensitive data you do not wish others to see.

3. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process personal data on the following lawful bases:

• Your consent (e.g., when you register and use the Forum)

• Performance of a service (to provide forum access and account functionality)

• Legitimate interests (to secure, moderate, and maintain the Forum and its community)

4. How We Use Information

Information collected is used solely to:

• Operate and maintain the Forum

• Manage user accounts

• Prevent spam, abuse, and misuse

• Enforce forum rules and Terms of Service

• Communicate essential account-related notices

This includes moderation activity, audit logging, and security monitoring.

We do not use your information for advertising, marketing, or profiling.

5. Cookies & Technical Data

The Forum may use cookies or similar technologies strictly for:

• Session management

• Login functionality

• Security purposes

You may restrict cookies through your browser, but doing so may limit Forum functionality.

These cookies are required for the Forum to function properly and are not used for tracking or marketing.

6. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade user data.

Information may only be shared if:

• Required to maintain or secure the Forum

• Necessary to comply with lawful requests from authorities

• Needed to protect the rights, safety, or integrity of the Forum or its users

Administrators may access user information and activity logs where necessary for moderation, security, and recovery.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to operate the Forum, comply with legal obligations, and maintain security.

Typical retention may include:

• Account information: while your account remains active

• IP and security logs: limited periods for abuse prevention

• Backups: temporary technical retention

Exact retention periods may vary depending on operational and legal requirements.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

• Access your personal data

• Request correction of inaccurate data

• Request deletion of your data

• Object to or restrict certain processing

• Request a copy of your data (data portability)

Requests can be made by contacting forum administrators.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe your data has been handled unlawfully.

9. Data Storage & Security

The Forum takes reasonable measures to protect stored information from unauthorized access, alteration, or loss.

However, no system is completely secure. By using the Forum, you acknowledge and accept this risk.

10. User-Generated Content

Content you post on the Forum may be publicly visible. Any information you voluntarily disclose through posts, profiles, or messages is shared at your own discretion and risk.

Edit histories and username histories may be retained and visible as part of forum transparency and moderation.

The Forum is not responsible for how others may use information you choose to make public.

11. Account Deletion

You may request account deletion by contacting forum administrators via Discord, forum, or contact@empiresandpuzzles.site.

Some content may remain publicly visible where removal would compromise discussion integrity or moderation records.

Some information may remain in backups or logs for a limited time or where required for moderation, security, or legal purposes.

12. Third-Party Services

The Forum may rely on third-party services for hosting, security, or technical operation. These services only receive information necessary for their function.

The Forum is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites or services linked from the Forum.

These providers act solely as data processors under our instructions.

13. Hosting & Location

• The Forum is hosted in the United States

• The Forum is managed and developed from the United Kingdom

By using the Forum, you acknowledge that your information may be processed in these locations.

Appropriate safeguards are used where required for international data processing.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated at any time.

Continued use of the Forum after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

15. Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to make a data protection request, you may contact the Forum administrators at:

contact@empiresandpuzzles.site

You may also contact us through official forum or Discord communication channels.