Privacy Policy

Your Privacy & Data Protection Rights

๐Ÿ”’ Your Privacy Matters โšก

At Lightning Chess Master, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data.

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Privacy Commitment
We follow industry best practices and comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations to ensure your data is protected and your rights are respected.

๐Ÿ“‹ Table of Contents

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1. Information We Collect

Lightning Chess Master collects various types of information to provide and improve our chess platform services. We are transparent about what data we collect and why we need it.

Personal Information You Provide:

Data Type Examples Purpose
Account Information Username, email, password Account creation and authentication
Profile Data Display name, avatar, bio Profile customization and social features
Contact Information Email address, support messages Communication and customer support
Payment Information Billing address, payment method Processing premium subscriptions
Chess Preferences Time controls, board themes Personalizing your chess experience

Automatically Collected Information:

  • Game Data: Chess moves, game results, analysis requests, time spent
  • Usage Analytics: Pages visited, features used, session duration
  • Device Information: Browser type, operating system, screen resolution
  • Technical Data: IP address, cookies, local storage data
  • Performance Metrics: Loading times, error reports, crash logs
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Data Minimization
We only collect information that is necessary to provide our services and improve your chess experience. You can control much of this data through your account settings.
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2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to provide, maintain, and improve Lightning Chess Master services. Here's how we use different types of data:

Core Service Provision:

  • Creating and managing your chess account
  • Facilitating online chess games and tournaments
  • Providing AI-powered game analysis and recommendations
  • Calculating ratings and tracking your chess progress
  • Enabling social features like friend connections and messaging

Service Improvement:

  • Analyzing usage patterns to enhance user experience
  • Developing new features based on user behavior
  • Optimizing platform performance and reliability
  • Conducting A/B tests for interface improvements
  • Training AI models for better chess analysis

Communication & Support:

  • Responding to customer support inquiries
  • Sending important service updates and notifications
  • Providing educational chess content and tips
  • Notifying you about tournaments and events
  • Marketing communications (with your consent)
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Data Processing Control
You can control how we use your data through your privacy settings. You can opt out of marketing communications and limit certain data processing activities at any time.
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4. Information Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We only share your information in specific, limited circumstances as described below:

Service Providers:

  • Cloud Infrastructure: AWS, Google Cloud for hosting and storage
  • Payment Processing: Stripe, PayPal for subscription billing
  • Analytics Services: Google Analytics for usage insights
  • Email Services: SendGrid, Mailchimp for communications
  • Customer Support: Zendesk, Intercom for help desk services

Legal Requirements:

  • Compliance with court orders and legal processes
  • Law enforcement requests with proper authorization
  • Protection of our rights and property
  • Prevention of fraud and abuse
  • Emergency situations involving safety

Business Transfers:

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity. We will notify you of any such change and your options regarding your data.

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No Data Sales
We never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. Your data is used solely to provide and improve our chess services.
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5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Lightning Chess Master uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and provide personalized features.

Types of Cookies We Use:

Cookie Type Purpose Duration Required
Essential Login, security, basic functionality Session/1 year Yes
Performance Analytics, error tracking, optimization 2 years No
Functional Preferences, settings, personalization 1 year No
Marketing Advertising, social media integration 1 year No

Managing Cookies:

  • Use our cookie consent banner to control non-essential cookies
  • Adjust browser settings to block or delete cookies
  • Use browser privacy modes for temporary sessions
  • Install browser extensions for enhanced privacy control
  • Contact us to opt out of specific tracking technologies
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Cookie Impact
Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality. Essential cookies are required for basic features like login and game play to work properly.
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6. Data Security Measures

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

Technical Safeguards:

  • Encryption: TLS/SSL encryption for data in transit, AES-256 for data at rest
  • Access Controls: Multi-factor authentication, role-based permissions
  • Network Security: Firewalls, intrusion detection, DDoS protection
  • Database Security: Encrypted databases, regular security patches
  • Monitoring: 24/7 security monitoring, automated threat detection

Organizational Measures:

  • Regular security training for all employees
  • Background checks for personnel with data access
  • Incident response procedures and breach protocols
  • Regular security audits and penetration testing
  • Data minimization and retention policies

Data Breach Response:

In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will:

  • Contain the breach and assess the impact within 24 hours
  • Notify relevant authorities within 72 hours (where required)
  • Inform affected users without undue delay
  • Provide clear information about the breach and remedial actions
  • Implement additional safeguards to prevent future incidents
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Security Certifications
Our security practices are regularly audited and we maintain compliance with industry standards including SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other relevant security frameworks.
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7. Your Privacy Rights

You have important rights regarding your personal information. These rights may vary depending on your location and applicable privacy laws.

Universal Rights:

Right Description How to Exercise
Access Request a copy of your personal data Account settings or contact us
Rectification Correct inaccurate or incomplete data Edit profile or contact support
Erasure Request deletion of your data Account deletion or contact us
Portability Export your data in a readable format Data export tool in settings
Objection Object to certain data processing Privacy settings or contact us
Restriction Limit how we process your data Contact our privacy team

How to Exercise Your Rights:

  • Self-Service: Many rights can be exercised through your account settings
  • Email Request: Send requests to
  • Identity Verification: We may need to verify your identity for security
  • Response Time: We respond to requests within 30 days (or as required by law)
  • No Cost: Exercising your rights is generally free of charge
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Regulatory Complaints
If you're not satisfied with how we handle your privacy rights, you can file a complaint with your local data protection authority or privacy regulator.
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8. Data Retention Policies

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations. Here are our retention periods:

Data Type Retention Period Reason
Account Information Until account deletion + 30 days Service provision and security
Game Records Indefinitely (anonymized after 7 years) Chess database and analysis
Payment Data 7 years after last transaction Legal and tax requirements
Support Communications 3 years after resolution Quality assurance and training
Analytics Data 26 months Service improvement insights
Marketing Data Until consent withdrawal + 30 days Communication preferences

Automated Deletion:

  • Inactive accounts are automatically deleted after 3 years of inactivity
  • Temporary data (sessions, caches) is deleted within 24 hours
  • Log files are automatically purged after 90 days
  • Backup data follows the same retention schedule as primary data
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Account Deletion
When you delete your account, most personal data is removed immediately. Some data may be retained for legal compliance or legitimate business purposes as outlined above.
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9. International Data Transfers

Lightning Chess Master operates globally, which means your personal information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own.

Transfer Safeguards:

  • Adequacy Decisions: We prioritize transfers to countries with adequate protection
  • Standard Contractual Clauses: EU-approved contracts for data protection
  • Binding Corporate Rules: Internal policies ensuring consistent protection
  • Certification Programs: Privacy Shield successors and similar frameworks
  • Encryption: All international transfers are encrypted in transit

Primary Data Locations:

  • United States: Primary servers and data processing
  • European Union: EU user data processing and storage
  • Canada: Backup and disaster recovery systems
  • Australia: Regional content delivery and caching
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Transfer Protection
Regardless of where your data is processed, it receives the same level of protection outlined in this privacy policy and applicable data protection laws.
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10. Children's Privacy Protection

Lightning Chess Master is committed to protecting the privacy of children. We comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and similar international regulations.

Age Requirements:

  • Under 13: Parental consent required for account creation
  • 13-15: Parental notification and limited data collection
  • 16+: Full account features with privacy controls
  • 18+: Complete access to all platform features

Special Protections for Minors:

  • Enhanced privacy settings enabled by default
  • Restricted communication features and social interactions
  • No behavioral advertising or profiling
  • Limited data collection to essential service provision
  • Regular review and deletion of unnecessary data

Parental Rights:

  • Review personal information collected from their child
  • Request deletion of their child's personal information
  • Refuse further collection or use of their child's information
  • Receive notification of our information practices
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Parental Involvement
Parents can contact us at to exercise rights regarding their child's account or to report concerns about children's privacy.
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11. Third-Party Services & Integrations

Lightning Chess Master integrates with various third-party services to enhance functionality. Each service has its own privacy policy and data practices.

Key Third-Party Integrations:

Service Category Providers Data Shared Purpose
Analytics Google Analytics, Mixpanel Usage data, device info Service improvement
Payment Processing Stripe, PayPal Billing information Subscription management
Cloud Infrastructure AWS, Google Cloud All platform data Hosting and storage
Communication SendGrid, Twilio Email, phone numbers Notifications and support
Social Media Facebook, Twitter, Discord Profile information Social login and sharing

Managing Third-Party Access:

  • Review and revoke social media connections in account settings
  • Opt out of analytics tracking through privacy preferences
  • Use browser settings to block third-party cookies
  • Contact us to limit specific third-party data sharing
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External Privacy Policies
We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of third-party services you interact with through our platform, as their practices may differ from ours.
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12. Privacy Policy Updates

We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, services, or applicable laws. We are committed to keeping you informed about these changes.

Types of Updates:

  • Minor Changes: Clarifications, contact information, formatting
  • Material Changes: New data uses, sharing practices, rights modifications
  • Legal Updates: Compliance with new regulations or court decisions
  • Service Changes: New features, integrations, or business practices

Notification Methods:

  • Email notification to registered users (for material changes)
  • Prominent notice on our website and platform
  • In-app notifications for significant updates
  • Social media announcements for major policy changes
  • Updated "Last Modified" date at the top of this policy

Your Options:

  • Review changes and continue using our services
  • Contact us with questions or concerns about updates
  • Modify your privacy settings to reflect your preferences
  • Delete your account if you disagree with material changes
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Stay Informed
We recommend checking this privacy policy periodically and ensuring your email preferences allow important notifications about policy changes.
โšก Privacy Questions & Contact โšก

If you have any questions about this privacy policy, want to exercise your privacy rights, or need to report a privacy concern, we're here to help.

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Privacy Team
Response within 48 hours
Last Updated: December 2024
Effective Date: December 2024
Version: 2.1
Exercise Your Rights