Privacy policy

This policy explains what information the mobile game V Garage ("the game") for iPhone, iPad and Android collects, why, who it is shared with, and the choices you have. The game is made by FlashBite Studios ("we", "us"). Contact: support@flashbitestudios.com.

The short version

• You can play without creating an account. We never ask for your name, email or phone number.
• Your garage, progress and settings are saved on your device only. The game has no online features and we run no servers for it.
• Ads are optional rewarded videos shown only when you tap to watch one for a bonus. They are served by Google AdMob. Where the law requires it we ask for your consent first. On iPhone and iPad, Google gets your advertising identifier only if you allow tracking.
• We never sell your personal information for money.

1. Information stored on your device

The game saves your progress on your device: the player name you choose, cash, gems, level and reputation, upgrades, cars, crew, parts, cosmetics, tutorial progress, daily reward and video counters, and your settings. This data stays on your device and is not sent to us. It is removed when you delete the game or use Settings → Reset all progress.

2. Advertising (Google AdMob)

The game shows rewarded video ads only when you tap to watch one, for example to double a job's pay. There are no banner or automatic ads. Ads are provided by Google AdMob. To show, measure and prevent fraud on ads, Google's software may collect:

• Device identifiers: on iPhone and iPad, the advertising identifier (IDFA) only if you allow tracking through Apple's prompt. Otherwise Google uses identifiers that are not shared across apps from different companies. On Android, the advertising ID, which you can reset or delete in your device settings.
• IP address, which can be used to estimate your general location (city or region, never precise GPS).
• Device and app information: model, operating system, language and app version.
• Advertising and interaction data: which ads were shown, taps and views.
• Diagnostics: crash and performance data from the ad software.

Your choices:

• Consent: in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, Google's consent form asks before ads use your data for personalisation. In US states with privacy laws, you can opt out of the use of your data for targeted advertising (which may count as a "sale" or "sharing" under those laws). You can change your choice at any time in Settings → Ad privacy choices (shown where the law requires it).
• Tracking (iPhone and iPad): you can allow or deny tracking when asked, and change it later in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.

If you decline, you can still watch videos, but the ads will be less personalised. Every video is optional, and you can play the whole game without watching any.

Google uses this data as described in its own policies: Google Privacy Policy · How Google uses information from apps that use its services.

3. Links to websites

The credits screen has buttons that open the websites of V Garage (the real repair shop the game is named after) and FlashBite Studios in your browser. Those websites are not part of the game, and their own privacy policies apply.

4. Support

If you email us, we receive your email address and your message, and use them only to answer you and help you.

5. Why we use information (legal bases)

• To provide the game you ask for (performance of a contract).
• With your consent: personalised ads and tracking. You can withdraw consent at any time as described above.
• Legitimate interests: fixing problems, answering support requests and preventing ad fraud.
• Legal obligations, where they apply.

6. Who we share information with

• Google (AdMob and its consent tools) for advertising, as described in section 2.
• Authorities, if the law requires it.

We do not sell personal information for money.

7. International transfers

Google may process data in the United States and other countries. It uses safeguards such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses where required.

8. How long we keep information

• On your device: until you reset your progress or delete the game.
• Support emails: as long as needed to help you, then deleted.
• Advertising data: kept by Google under its own retention policies.

9. Your rights and choices

• Delete your progress: Settings → Reset all progress, or delete the game.
• Ad privacy and tracking: see section 2.
• Access, correction, deletion, portability and objection: depending on where you live (for example the EU or UK under the GDPR, California and other US states, or Canada under PIPEDA), you may have the right to access, correct, delete or receive a copy of your personal information, or to object to or limit its use. Email us at support@flashbitestudios.com. Because the game has no accounts, most requests about ad data are best made through Google's tools linked in section 2. We will not treat you differently for using these rights.
• Complaints: you can complain to your local data protection authority (in Canada, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada).

10. Children

V Garage is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or the minimum age in your country). If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

11. Security

The ad software uses encrypted connections. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, but we and Google take reasonable steps to protect your information.

12. Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, we will post the new version here and update the effective date. If the changes are significant, we will also tell you in the game.

13. Contact

FlashBite Studios. Email: support@flashbitestudios.com