This privacy policy explains what information Inkling ("the app", "we") collects when you play, and how it is used. Inkling is developed as an independent mobile game published on Google Play.
Information We Collect
We do not require you to create an account with a name, email, or password before you can play. Depending on how you use the app, we may handle the following:
Anonymous gameplay identity. On first launch, the app creates an anonymous player session (via our backend provider, Supabase) used to store your progress — coins, drawings, friends, and streaks (including your daily login streak and the dates of daily rewards) — so it can be restored if you reinstall or switch devices.
Google or Apple sign-in (optional). If you choose to save your progress, you can link your anonymous account to a Google or Apple sign-in. This does not create a new account — it links your existing progress to that sign-in method so it can be restored on a new device. We receive the basic profile information (such as name and email) provided by Google or Apple for this purpose.
Chosen nickname and friend code. A public display nickname shown on your drawings and to other players, and a separate private friend code used only so a specific person can add you as a friend. Your friend code is never shown to anyone but you unless you choose to share it.
Drawings you create. The doodles you draw for friends or random buddies, including the finished image and the stroke-by-stroke drawing data (used to replay how it was drawn), are stored so the recipient can view and guess them. Drawings are private to the sender and recipient and are not publicly accessible, except that drawings sent to random buddies may later be shown to other players you are matched with, including as starter drawings for new players (see Sharing Between Players below). Drawings are automatically deleted after a limited time, as described under Data Retention & Deletion below.
Gameplay content and reports. Your guesses (made by tapping letter tiles), and any reports you file about another player's drawing or username, are stored to operate the game and to review reported content. If you type a custom word to draw for a friend, that word is stored and filtered for inappropriate content.
Purchase records. If you buy coin packs, or a Buddy Pass subscription where and when that option becomes available in the app, the purchase is processed entirely by Google Play Billing. We receive confirmation that a purchase was completed (and, for subscriptions, its renewal/cancellation status) so we can grant the purchase, but we never see or store your payment card details — those are handled by Google Play.
Push notification token (optional). If you enable notifications, we store a device token so we can notify you about new drawings, friend requests, and a reminder when your daily login streak is about to end. You can disable this at any time in Settings.
How We Use This Information
To save and restore your game progress, friends, and drawings across sessions and devices.
To deliver drawings between friends and matched random buddies.
To operate friend requests, matchmaking, and per-friend drawing history.
To grant purchased coins and Buddy Pass benefits, and to keep subscription status in sync with the store.
To review reported content and enforce blocks between players.
To send optional push notifications you've enabled.
To diagnose bugs and improve the game.
Sharing Between Players
Inkling connects you with other people — friends you add directly, and random buddies matched by the app. Your chosen nickname, avatar, and the drawings you send are visible to the specific person you're drawing for or guessing from. Drawings sent through random matching may later be shown to other players: new players are shown a few starter drawings that were previously sent through random matching and already guessed, and these appear in the new player's inbox with the original sender's nickname and avatar. Your friend code, real sign-in identity, and account data are never shared with other players.
Third-Party Services
Inkling uses the following third-party services, each governed by its own privacy policy:
Supabase (backend database, authentication, and file storage)
Inkling is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us using the details below and we will remove it.
Data Retention & Deletion
Your account data and progress are retained for as long as your account is active. Drawings are retained only for a limited time and are deleted automatically:
A drawing that is never guessed is deleted after 21 days.
A drawing that has been guessed is deleted 30 days after it was guessed.
The drawing's image file is removed from our storage shortly after deletion; our cleanup runs nightly, so this happens within about a day.
Random-buddy matches that have no drawings left between the two players and no activity for 21 days are also cleared automatically.
To permanently delete your account: open the app, go to Settings → Account → Delete Account, and confirm twice. This immediately and permanently deletes your account, drawings, friends, coins, and all associated progress. This action cannot be undone, and nothing is retained afterward.
You may also request deletion by emailing us at the address below; please include your in-game username or friend code so we can locate your account.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date.