Privacy Policy
How PokerStacks handles your data. Short, because we collect very little.
Overview
PokerStacks is a companion app for in-person poker games. It tracks chips, pots, and bets so the players at a physical table don't have to. There is no sign-in, no advertising, and no third-party analytics. We collect only what's needed to make a multi-device game session work, and we never collect or store any information about the cards being played — those exist only at your table.
What we collect
- A display name you choose for yourself. It can be your real name, a nickname, or anything else; we do not verify it.
- An anonymous account identifier generated on your device the first time you open the app. It is not linked to your email, phone number, Apple ID, or real-world identity.
- Game data for sessions you create or join: chip stacks, bets, hand actions (check, bet, fold, etc.), pot results, dealer button position, and the table's join code.
- Basic technical data incidental to operating an app backend, such as request timestamps and network metadata used to deliver real-time updates and prevent abuse. We do not use this data for analytics, advertising, or profiling.
What we do not collect
- Your email address, phone number, or real name.
- Your physical location.
- Your contacts, photos, or files.
- Any information about the physical playing cards in your game.
- Payment information. The app is free and has no in-app purchases.
- Advertising identifiers (IDFA / GAID). PokerStacks does not show ads and does not include any advertising or analytics SDKs.
How we use the data
The data above is used only to:
- Show your seat, chip stack, and turn in your active table.
- Synchronize the game state across the players' devices in real time.
- Reconnect you to an active table if you reopen the app.
- Diagnose and fix bugs you report.
We do not sell or rent your data. We do not use it for advertising or for profiling, and we do not share it with third parties for their own purposes.
Service providers
PokerStacks uses Convex to host the app's backend. Game data is stored on Convex's infrastructure on our behalf. Convex's privacy practices are described in their privacy policy. We do not use any other backend, analytics, advertising, or crash-reporting services.
Data retention
Game and account data persists in our backend so that you can reconnect to active tables and view past sessions. You can request deletion of all data tied to your anonymous account at any time by emailing the address below. Uninstalling the app deletes the device-side identifier; reinstalling creates a new one and you will not have access to the prior account's history.
Children's privacy
PokerStacks is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect data from them. If you believe a child has used the app, contact us and we will delete the associated account.
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, export, or delete the personal data associated with your account (including under the EU GDPR and California's CCPA). To exercise any of these rights, email us at the address below. We will respond within a reasonable period, typically 30 days.
Security
Data in transit between the app and our backend is encrypted using TLS. No service can guarantee absolute security; if a breach occurs that materially affects you, we will notify you as required by applicable law.
Changes to this policy
If we make material changes to this policy, we will update the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, post a notice in the app. Continued use of PokerStacks after a change indicates acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
Questions, deletion requests, or anything else: wbyronkarlen@gmail.com.