CicadaChallenge.com

1 Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Cicada Productions LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, stores, and shares information when you visit CicadaChallenge.com (the “Site”), use the Cicada mobile application (the “App”), create an account, participate in the Cicada Challenge (the “Challenge”), purchase optional content, or otherwise interact with us. References to the “Site” in this Policy include the App unless stated otherwise.

By using the Site or participating in the Challenge, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2 Eligibility / Age Restriction

The Site, the App, and the Challenge are intended for individuals who are 13 years of age or older. If you are between 13 and 17, you may use the Site and App only with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

You must be 18 years of age or older to make purchases, hold a paid membership, or be eligible to win prizes, except that prizes may in some cases be claimed by a participant aged 13–17 through a parent or legal guardian as described in our Terms of Service.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 13. If you believe such information has been submitted, please contact us and we will remove it.

3 Information We Collect

A. Information You Provide

When you create an account or interact with the Site, we may collect:

• Username
• Email address
• Password (stored securely in hashed form)

If you win a prize or require verification, we may also collect:

• Legal name
• Shipping address
• Phone number
• Age or date of birth
• Tax-related information (if required by law)

If you contact us, we collect any information you provide.

B. Gameplay and Account Data

We collect data related to your participation, including:

• Puzzle progress and completion status
• Timestamps and progression data
• Account activity and login history
• Interaction with puzzles and Site features

This data is used to operate the Challenge and verify results.

C. Automatically Collected Information

We may automatically collect:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Device type and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referring URLs
• General usage and analytics data
• Security and anti-abuse signals

4 How We Use Your Information

A. To Operate the Site and Challenge

• Create and manage accounts
• Track puzzle progress
• Operate gameplay systems
• Provide support
• Maintain security and integrity

B. To Administer Prizes and Contests

• Verify eligibility
• Confirm puzzle completion
• Prevent cheating or fraud
• Contact winners
• Deliver prizes

C. To Process Purchases

If you purchase hints, content, or memberships:

• Payments are processed through third-party providers
• We do not store full payment details
• We may store transaction-related records

D. To Communicate With You

Required Communications:

• Account emails
• Password resets
• Gameplay notices
• Prize notifications

Optional Communications:

• Updates about CicadaChallenge
• Future games and ARGs
• Promotional content

You may unsubscribe from promotional emails at any time.

E. To Improve and Protect the Site

• Analyze usage and performance
• Improve gameplay and content
• Detect bots, cheating, or abuse
• Enforce rules and Terms of Service

F. Legal Compliance

• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes
• Enforce agreements

5 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Maintain login sessions
• Remember preferences
• Analyze traffic
• Prevent fraud and abuse

6 Analytics and Third-Party Tools

We may use services such as:

• Cloudflare (security and performance)
• Hosting providers (e.g., DreamHost)
• Analytics tools (e.g., WP Statistics, future tools like Google Analytics)
• Email platforms for communications

These providers may process technical data as necessary to operate the Site.

7 Paid Content, Patreon & Third-Party Platforms

If you access content through Patreon or similar platforms:

• Your interaction with those services is subject to their own privacy policies
• We may receive limited information (such as membership status) necessary to grant access

7A Mobile Application

The Cicada App collects the same account and gameplay information described in Section 3 (username, email address, hashed password, puzzle progress, and related technical data necessary to operate the service).

• The App does not contain advertising and does not use third-party advertising or tracking SDKs
• The App does not access your contacts, location, camera, microphone, or photos
• All App data is transmitted over encrypted (HTTPS) connections

8 How We Share Information

We may share information only in limited cases:

A. Service Providers

With vendors that help operate the Site (hosting, analytics, email, security).

B. Prize Fulfillment

To verify winners and deliver prizes.

C. Legal Reasons

To comply with law, enforce rules, or protect users and the Site.

D. Business Transfers

If the business is sold or transferred, data may be included as part of that transaction.

9 Data Retention

We retain information as long as reasonably necessary to:

• Maintain accounts
• Operate the Challenge
• Administer prizes
• Prevent fraud
• Comply with legal obligations

10 Data Security

We use reasonable safeguards to protect your data.

11 Your Rights

You may request to:

• Access your data
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your data
• Opt out of promotional emails

You may delete your account and associated gameplay data at any time directly within the App (Account → Delete account) or via our self-service deletion page at https://www.cicadachallenge.com/delete-account/. Account deletion is permanent and removes your login credentials and puzzle progress. Certain records, such as purchase and transaction history, may be retained where required for legal, tax, or fraud-prevention purposes.

Some data may be retained for legal or operational reasons.

12 International Users

The Site is operated in the United States. If you access it from outside the U.S., your data may be transferred and processed in the U.S.

13 Do Not Sell Statement

14 Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy at any time. Continued use of the Site means you accept any updates.

15 Contact

Cicada Productions LLC
Michigan, United States
xix@cicadachallenge.com