Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 5, 2026

Pocket Rook ("the App") is a chess app for two people at the same table — on one device, or on two nearby devices connected directly to each other. The App has no accounts and no servers. This policy explains what data the App uses, which device permissions it asks for, and your choices.

1. Data We Do Not Collect

Pocket Rook does not require an account or login.
We do not collect your name, email address, phone number, or any other personal identifiers for our own use.
We do not use analytics, advertising SDKs, or third-party tracking services.
We do not operate game servers that receive or store your gameplay data.
We do not upload camera images, photos, or video to any server.

2. Device Permissions

Pocket Rook may ask for the following permissions. Each permission is optional until you use the related feature, and you can revoke it anytime in iOS Settings.

Camera

Purpose: Scan a room QR code so you can join a nearby match.
Processing: Camera frames are processed on-device only to detect a Pocket Rook QR code.
Not done: Pocket Rook does not save photos or videos from the camera, does not access your photo library for this feature, and does not upload camera content.
If you deny Camera access, you can still join by typing the room's six-digit code or selecting a nearby room.

Local Network

Purpose: Discover nearby Pocket Rook devices and exchange game data over peer-to-peer Wi‑Fi / Bonjour so two phones can play without an internet connection.
Data exchanged locally: display name, avatar, optional country flag, Pro status, match setup, moves, clocks, and related match messages. After a short handshake, all of this traffic is encrypted between the two devices (X25519 key agreement and ChaCha20-Poly1305).
Advertised nearby: only while you host a room or a running match, your device advertises a random room identifier, display name, avatar, flag and win/loss totals so the other player can find it. Nothing is advertised otherwise.
Not done: This traffic is device-to-device. It is not sent to Pocket Rook servers, because Pocket Rook does not operate a matchmaking or gameplay server.
Local Network access is required to create or join nearby rooms.

Notifications

Purpose: Optional local alerts when someone asks to join your room while your phone is locked or the App is in the background. The alert shows the guest's display name.
You can turn these alerts off in the App's Settings. The App sends no reminders, marketing or advertising notifications, and no push notifications come from a server.

3. Data Stored on Your Device

The App stores the following information locally on your device only:

Profile: Your chosen display name, avatar, and optional country flag. These may be visible to your opponent during a match over the local connection.
Match history: Records of two-phone games you have finished, including your opponent's display name and avatar, moves, results, and timestamps. Games played on one shared device are not added to history.
Game in progress: The current game is saved after every move so it can be resumed if the App closes. It is removed when the game ends.
Preferences: Language, board theme, piece set, and notification setting.
Purchase status: Whether Pocket Rook Pro has been unlocked, cached locally for offline access.

With Pro you can export a backup file of this data and save or share it wherever you choose (for example Files or AirDrop); the App never uploads it. You can delete individual games from your history at any time. Uninstalling the App removes all locally stored data.

4. Peer-to-Peer Communication

During a match, the two devices communicate directly over the local network using Apple networking frameworks such as Bonjour / Network.framework. Game moves, your display name, and avatar are transmitted directly to your opponent's device. No gameplay data passes through Pocket Rook servers.

5. In-App Purchases

Pocket Rook Pro (monthly, yearly or lifetime) is available through Apple's App Store. Purchase transactions are handled entirely by Apple. We do not have access to your payment card details. Apple may process purchase-related information under Apple's own privacy policy.

6. Children's Privacy

Pocket Rook does not knowingly collect personal information from children. The App does not require personal data to function.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date.

8. Contact

If you have questions about this policy, please contact us at duoqi.app@gmail.com.