8 HandThe short version: 8 Hand doesn't run its own servers, doesn't use analytics or advertising SDKs, and doesn't sell or share your information with anyone. Everything below describes exactly what the app does, based on how it's actually built.
Information used to play with others
Game Center (online play). If you sign in to Game Center and start an online match, the app reads your Game Center display name, photo, and a player identifier, so it can show who's at the table and set up the match. Each player's Game Center photo appears on their seat for the others in the match. Each device loads the photos from Game Center itself. Settings → Show Game Center Photos hides them on your device; what others see is your Game Center profile photo, which you manage in Game Center. Match invitations and matchmaking are handled by Apple's Game Center service; once a match starts, gameplay data (cards, moves, discards) travels directly between players' devices through Game Center — 8 Hand has no server of its own and never receives or stores this data centrally.
Game Center achievements. If you're signed in to Game Center, the app reports the achievements you earn — in any mode, including solo play — to Apple's Game Center service, which shows them in your Game Center profile. Achievement data is handled by Apple under Apple's own privacy policy; 8 Hand doesn't receive or store it anywhere else. If you aren't signed in, nothing is reported.
Game Center leaderboards. If you're signed in to Game Center, the app also posts your scores — your total wins, your wins this week, and your achievement points — to Game Center leaderboards. Leaderboards are public: other Game Center players can see your Game Center name and score there. This data is handled by Apple under Apple's own privacy policy; 8 Hand doesn't receive or store it anywhere else. If you aren't signed in, nothing is posted.
Local network play. To find and connect to nearby players on the same Wi-Fi network, the app uses Apple's local networking and Multipeer Connectivity frameworks, which is why it asks for Local Network permission. Your player name (the one set in Settings, or your Game Center name) and game moves are sent directly, device-to-device, over an encrypted local connection. This never touches the internet and never leaves the network you're playing on.
Information stored on your device
The app keeps a small amount of information in its local settings, on your device:
- Player name you've chosen in Settings.
- House rules you've configured for games you host.
- Table color and other cosmetic preferences.
- Game stats (wins, losses, and unfinished games) — never shared with other players. If you're signed in to iCloud, synced to your other devices as described below.
- Achievement progress (counters like games won or discards stolen) — used to decide when an achievement is earned. Only the earned achievement itself is reported to Game Center, as described above. If you're signed in to iCloud, synced to your other devices as described below.
- A solo game in progress, so it can be resumed after the app is closed — kept on that device only, not synced.
Apart from that iCloud sync, none of this is uploaded anywhere. If you delete the app, its copy on that device is deleted with it.
iCloud sync. If you're signed in to iCloud, your game stats and achievement progress are stored in your own iCloud account, using Apple's iCloud key-value storage, so they're combined across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This data is handled by Apple under Apple's own privacy policy; 8 Hand has no access to your iCloud account and doesn't receive or store this data anywhere else. If you aren't signed in to iCloud, it stays on your device.
What we don't collect
8 Hand doesn't request access to your camera, photo library, microphone, contacts, or location. The app contains no advertising SDKs, no third-party analytics, and no crash-reporting services — nothing in the app phones home to a third party.
Children's privacy
8 Hand doesn't knowingly collect personal information from children. Any Game Center or networking data described above is handled the same way regardless of age, and is limited to what's needed to connect players in a match, as described.
Your choices
You can sign out of Game Center at any time in iOS/iPadOS/macOS Settings to stop using it for online play, achievements, and leaderboards — solo and local-network play don't require it. You can decline the Local Network permission prompt; local multiplayer just won't be available. Both choices leave the rest of the app fully usable.
Changes to this policy
If this policy changes, we'll update the effective date above. Continued use of the app after a change means you accept the updated policy.
Contact
Questions about this policy or how 8 Hand handles information can be sent to info@8handgame.com.