Loose Threads

Privacy policy

Effective 2 October 2026

Loose Threads is a puzzle game for iPhone and iPad made by Rodrigo Paulo Quaresma, trading as Mapledrift (“we”, “us”). This policy explains what information is involved when you play, who handles it, and the choices you have.

In short: we don’t run any servers and don’t collect your personal information ourselves. Your progress stays on your device and in your own iCloud account. The only third party that receives data from the app is Google, through its AdMob service, to show the optional ads you choose to watch.

Who is responsible

The data controller for Loose Threads is Rodrigo Paulo Quaresma (Mapledrift). Contact: mapledrift.support@gmail.com.

Information kept on your device and in your iCloud

To save your game, the app stores on your device: patterns and daily patterns finished, spools kept, daily streak, thimbles and hints, items you’ve bought in the in-game store, and your settings (sound, vibration, reminders and so on). If you’re signed in to iCloud, the same game data is synced through Apple’s iCloud key-value storage so it follows you to your other devices. This data lives in your iCloud account; we can’t see it.

The home-screen widget reads your streak from the same device. Daily reminders are local notifications scheduled on your device; nothing is sent to us.

Services provided by Apple

• Game Center (optional): if you’re signed in, your scores and achievements are sent to Apple’s Game Center for leaderboards and achievements. Apple’s privacy policy applies.
• In-app purchases: thimble packs are paid for through the App Store. Apple handles payment; we never see your payment details. We only receive confirmation of the purchase so the thimbles can be added.
• iCloud: used for syncing your game data, as described above.

Ads (Google AdMob)

Ads only ever play when you choose to watch one, in return for a free hint or a free rethread. They’re provided by Google AdMob. When the app loads or shows an ad, Google’s software in the app may collect:

• device identifiers: the identifier for vendors, and the advertising identifier (IDFA) only if you allow tracking;
• your IP address and the approximate location derived from it;
• device and app information (model, operating system, language, app version);
• how you interact with ads, and diagnostic information about ad performance.

Google uses this to show, measure and improve ads and to prevent fraud. Learn more in how Google uses information from apps that use its services and in Google’s privacy policy.

Your choices about ads

• Consent (EEA, UK and Switzerland): the first time ads load, Google’s consent form asks whether ads may be personalised and data used for the purposes listed there. Personalised ads are only shown if you agree. You can change your choice at any time in the app: Settings → Privacy → Ad privacy choices.
• Tracking: the app asks Apple’s “Allow tracking?” question. If you choose “Ask App Not to Track”, your advertising identifier isn’t shared. You can change this in the iPhone Settings app under Privacy & Security → Tracking.
• Not watching ads at all: ads are always optional. Everything in the game can be played without them.

Legal bases (GDPR)

Keeping and syncing your game data is necessary to provide the game you asked for. Personalised advertising, and the storing of and access to information on your device for advertising, rely on your consent, which you can withdraw at any time as described above.

Retention

Game data stays on your device and in your iCloud until you delete it. You can erase your progress in Settings → Your progress → Reset progress, or remove all local data by deleting the app. iCloud data can be managed in iPhone Settings under your name → iCloud. Data collected by Google is kept according to Google’s policies.

International transfers

Apple and Google may process information in countries outside your own, including the United States. They state that they use appropriate safeguards for such transfers, such as the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete or move your personal data, to object to or restrict its processing, and to withdraw consent. Because we don’t hold your personal data ourselves, most requests are fastest through the settings above, Apple or Google. You can also email us and we’ll help. If you’re in the EEA or UK, you have the right to complain to your local data protection authority.

Children

Loose Threads isn’t directed at children under 13 (or under 16 where local law requires), and we don’t knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the app, please contact us.

Changes to this policy

If this policy changes, we’ll update it on this page and change the date at the top.

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