Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 5, 2026

Shax (including Alquerque and 9 Holes games) respects user privacy and is designed to be playable without requiring registration or personal information.

Optional Data Collection

Users may choose to create an optional profile for features such as leaderboards or online services. Profile information is optional and may include:

Display name or nickname
Country or city (non-identifying)
Similar non-identifying representation chosen by the user

This information is publicly visible only where relevant (e.g., leaderboards) and can be changed or removed by the user.

Users may also optionally link a Google account to their profile. If linked, this shares your Google account email address with the app. The email is used only for the linked account and is also kept on the device.

Automatic Data Collection

The app may collect limited, non-personal information such as:

Every user gets an anonymous ID automatically, including guests. It keys their profile, rank, and entitlements.
Subscription or purchase status
For competitive online matches specifically: match results and rating, tied to that anonymous identifier

Services We Use

Firebase (Google): sign-in, database, server functions, and app checks
Google AdMob: ads
Google Play: purchases

Advertising

The app displays ads served by Google AdMob, which collects an advertising ID. You can reset or delete your advertising ID in your Android settings. AdMob's own privacy policy applies to that data: Google Privacy Policy.

Subscriptions

Users may optionally make a one-time contribution or subscribe to remove ads and access premium features. Payments are processed securely by the app store. No payment information is stored by the app.

Premium subscriptions are managed in Google Play, and must be cancelled there first.

Purchase verification records are kept after deletion for financial and legal reasons.

Offline Play

Shax works both online and offline. Core games can be played offline. Online multiplayer, ranked play, and leaderboards require an internet connection.

Data Sharing

No personal data is sold or shared with third parties beyond essential services required for ads and payments.

Data Retention

We keep personal data for as long as necessary to provide the service, and for legitimate financial, accounting, fraud-prevention, dispute-resolution, or legal requirements. We do not set a fixed retention period.

Deleting Your Data

You can request deletion in one of two ways:

In the app (accounts with a linked Google account only): go to Settings → Profile → "Delete account". You will be asked to sign in with Google again first. This deletes your profile, rank, entitlements, rewards, matchmaking entries, and the linked Google credential. Your Google account itself is not deleted. The in-app route runs straight away. It is blocked while you are in an active match, have a matchmaking entry, or have an active Premium subscription, and the app will tell you what to do. Premium subscriptions must be cancelled in Google Play first.
By email (guests, or if you cannot use the app): email support@somalishax.com with the subject "Delete My Data." Include your in-game display name, or the Google account email you linked (if any), so we can locate your data. Email requests cover all data the request identifies, not only the account. They can take up to 90 days.

Purchase records may be retained as required for financial, accounting, fraud-prevention, dispute-resolution, or legal purposes.

Security

Data is sent over HTTPS.

Contact

For privacy questions or requests, contact us at support@somalishax.com.

Copyright Notice

This software, including but not limited to its source code, game logic, visual design, board layout, artwork, animations, user interface, and branding, is the exclusive property of Shax.

Users are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the application for personal, non-commercial purposes only.

No part of this software may be copied, modified, distributed, reverse-engineered, resold, or reused in any form without explicit written permission.

Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution is strictly prohibited.

Optional ads and subscriptions support continued development.