Privacy Policy
Last updated: June 23, 2026 · Effective: June 23, 2026
Contents
1. Summary
FOREWORD is a daily word puzzle game. We do not run a backend that stores your data. Game scores, streaks, and play history live entirely on your device or in your own private iCloud account.
FOREWORD does integrate Google AdMob to show ads to non-paying users. AdMob collects a small amount of advertising-related data described below. If you subscribe to FOREWORD+, the AdMob SDK is never even initialized on your device — no ad-related data collection happens at all.
2. What we collect
We (or our advertising partner, Google AdMob) collect the following categories of data from free-tier users:
| Category | What it is | Linked to you? | Used for tracking? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device ID | The IDFA (Identifier for Advertisers) on your iPhone or iPad — only if you grant App Tracking Transparency permission | Yes | Yes |
| Product Interaction | Ad impressions, taps, fill rate. Used by AdMob for ad-performance analytics | No | No |
| Coarse Location | Your country/region, derived from your IP address by AdMob to serve legally-permissible ad inventory | No | No |
3. What we do not collect
- Your name, email address, or any contact information
- Your photos, contacts, calendar, microphone, or camera
- Precise location (GPS)
- Health, fitness, financial, or sensitive personal information
- User-generated content — there is none in FOREWORD
- Search or browsing history
- Game scores, streaks, or play history (these live on your device only)
4. Third-party services
Google AdMob (Google Mobile Ads SDK)
FOREWORD shows interstitial ads to free-tier users after puzzle completion, and an optional rewarded ad in exchange for one extra hint when the player has used all three free hints. AdMob handles all ad serving and the data collection described in section 2. See Google's privacy policy for full details on Google's data practices.
Apple Game Center
If you opt into Game Center, your daily score is submitted to Apple's Game Center service so it can appear on the FOREWORD leaderboard and be compared with your friends. Apple operates and stores this data under its own privacy terms. We do not see or store Game Center data on our servers — we have no servers.
Apple iCloud (CloudKit)
FOREWORD stores a single small record in your private iCloud database called a "Heartbeat." It contains a single timestamp and is used solely to obtain a server-trusted UTC time, so the daily puzzle index can't be advanced by changing your device clock. We cannot read this record — it lives in your iCloud account, not ours.
Apple StoreKit
FOREWORD+ auto-renewable subscriptions are processed by Apple via StoreKit. We never see your payment information. Apple's privacy terms govern subscription transactions.
5. Tracking and App Tracking Transparency (ATT)
iOS requires apps to ask for explicit permission before tracking you across other apps and websites. FOREWORD presents the standard ATT prompt before the first ad request — never at cold launch. Your choice is fully respected:
- If you allow tracking: AdMob may use your Device ID (IDFA) to personalize the ads you see. This is what makes the ads relevant to you.
- If you ask the app not to track you: AdMob serves contextual (non-personalized) ads instead. You will still see ads (this is what funds the free version), but they won't be tied to your identity.
- You can change your mind any time in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → Allow Apps to Request to Track.
6. FOREWORD+: zero data collection
If you subscribe to FOREWORD+, the Google Mobile Ads SDK is
never initialized on your device. We never request the ATT
prompt. No ad-related data is collected from your device by
anyone. This is enforced in code (see
StoreKitService.shared.isPro short-circuit in
AdManager.bootstrapIfNeeded) and verified by an
automated regression test
(IAPSecurityTests.testProDisablesAdSDKLoad).
7. Children
FOREWORD is rated 4+ and contains no content unsuitable for children, but it is not designed or marketed specifically for children under 13. The app does not knowingly collect personal information from children. We do not partner with any analytics or advertising networks that target children.
8. Your choices
- Don't allow ad tracking: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → toggle FOREWORD off.
- Subscribe to FOREWORD+: removes ads entirely, and the AdMob SDK is never initialized.
- Reset the IDFA: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → "Allow Apps to Request to Track" off clears the existing IDFA across all apps.
- Disable Game Center: Settings → Game Center → toggle off. Your scores stay on your device only.
- Delete the app: deleting FOREWORD removes all locally-stored data. The Heartbeat record in iCloud can be removed via Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Manage Account Storage → FOREWORD.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the app evolves (for example, to disclose new third-party SDKs). When we do, we'll update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Material changes will also be announced in the app's "What's New" notes when you update to the relevant version.
10. Contact
FOREWORD doesn't operate a support inbox. The fastest way to reach us with privacy questions or to request data deletion is via the App Store: leave a review on the FOREWORD app page, or use the "Report a Problem" link in your purchase history. We read every review.