Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how BuzzyWords collects, uses, and protects information when you use our website. BuzzyWords is a Spelling Bee solver and word-reference site. We try to collect as little personal information as we reasonably can while still operating the site, measuring usage, and protecting voting features from abuse.

We may collect the following categories of information:

• Information you choose to send us, such as messages sent through our contact channels.
• Usage and device information, such as page views, browser type, approximate device or session details, and general interaction data collected through analytics tools.
• Word-voting information, including a pseudonymous voter identifier, the word voted on, the vote type, and timestamps needed to enforce one-vote-per-word rules, cooldowns, and abuse prevention.
• Server and application logs used to keep the site running, diagnose errors, and investigate misuse.

BuzzyWords uses cookies and similar technologies for a limited set of operational and analytics purposes.

• Analytics: We may use tools such as Google Analytics to understand how people use the site, which pages are helpful, and where we should improve the experience.
• Voting safeguards: When you use voting features, we set a first-party cookie that stores a random device identifier. We use that identifier, together with limited request signals, to create a pseudonymous hashed voter key that helps enforce one active vote per word and rate limits.
• Advertising: If BuzzyWords displays advertising, third-party vendors, including Google, may use cookies or similar technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to BuzzyWords or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables Google and its partners to serve ads based on visits to this site and other sites on the Internet.

You can usually control cookies through your browser settings. Blocking cookies may affect parts of the site, including voting and some analytics functions.

We use information we collect to:

• Provide and improve the BuzzyWords website and solver features.
• Operate daily puzzle, word, and dictionary-related features.
• Measure performance, traffic, and feature usage.
• Prevent spam, abuse, duplicate voting, and other misuse.
• Respond to messages, questions, or support requests.
• Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights.

Our voting system is designed to limit duplicate votes without requiring full user accounts.

• We use a first-party anonymous device identifier stored in a secure, HTTP-only cookie.
• We combine that identifier with limited request signals, such as a truncated IP range and broad browser family, and then hash the result.
• We do not store raw IP addresses or raw user-agent strings in vote tables.
• We keep vote-event records only as long as operationally needed, currently targeting a 30-day retention period for event-level records.
• Aggregate vote counts, moderation records, and related word-status data may be retained longer so the product can continue to function.

We may use third-party providers to host the site, operate analytics, monitor reliability, and support related infrastructure. Those providers may process information on our behalf as needed to provide their services.

Based on our current implementation, this may include analytics and product-usage providers such as Google Analytics, along with hosting and database providers that support the operation of the site.

If advertising is enabled, this may also include advertising providers such as Google AdSense and other ad technology partners. These providers may use cookies, web beacons, IP addresses, or other identifiers to serve, measure, personalize, limit, and protect ads.

We do not sell personal information. We may share information:

• With service providers that help us operate the site.
• When required by law, legal process, or valid governmental request.
• To protect the security, integrity, and rights of BuzzyWords, our users, or others.
• In connection with a business transfer, merger, financing, or sale of all or part of the business, subject to applicable law.

We keep information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including operating the site, complying with legal obligations, resolving disputes, and preventing abuse.

Some data, such as short-lived vote-event records, may be deleted on a rolling schedule. Other data, such as aggregate counts or site records, may be retained longer when needed for product functionality or administrative history.

• You can control cookies through your browser settings and related privacy tools.
• You can opt out of personalized advertising from Google by visiting Google Ads Settings.
• You can learn about choices for some third-party advertising cookies at aboutads.info.
• Where required by law, including for users in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we may ask for consent before using cookies or similar technologies for advertising personalization or related ad purposes.
• If you contact us, you can ask questions about this policy or request that we review information you have submitted directly to us.
• Depending on where you live, you may have additional privacy rights under applicable law.

BuzzyWords is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the date at the top of this page and post the revised version here.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, you can reach us at [email protected].