Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

TheCrossword.org ("we," "us," "our") is operated by The Crossword. We provide free crossword puzzles, clue search tools, and word game utilities at thecrossword.org and related subdomains.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and what rights you have regarding your information when you visit our website.

2. Information We Collect

Information you provide

We collect information you voluntarily give us, such as:

• Email address — when you subscribe to our newsletter or contact us
• Name — when you contact us or optionally create a leaderboard display name
• Messages — content of contact form submissions

Information collected automatically

When you visit our site, we automatically collect:

• Log data — IP address, browser type, referring URL, pages visited, and timestamps (retained for 30 days)
• Usage data — puzzle completions, solve times, and search queries — anonymised and aggregated
• Device information — browser and device type for layout optimisation

Cookies and local storage

We use browser cookies and localStorage to:

• Save your puzzle progress and completed puzzles
• Remember your display preferences (e.g. dark mode)
• Keep track of your solving streak and best times
• Prevent the same ad from being shown to you repeatedly

These are stored in your browser and can be cleared at any time via your browser settings. They do not contain personal information beyond an anonymous session identifier.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the website and its features
• Send the daily puzzle email if you subscribe (you can unsubscribe at any time)
• Respond to your contact form submissions
• Detect and prevent spam, abuse, or fraud
• Display advertising relevant to crossword enthusiasts
• Analyse aggregate usage patterns to improve puzzle quality

We do not use your data to build personal profiles, make automated decisions about you, or target you with advertising based on browsing behaviour outside this site.

4. Advertising

We display advertisements to cover the cost of running the site for free. We work with advertising partners who may use cookies to serve relevant ads. These partners include:

• Google AdSense — subject to Google's Privacy Policy
• Mediavine — subject to Mediavine's Privacy Policy

You can opt out of interest-based advertising by visiting AboutAds.info or using your browser's privacy controls.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information with:

• Service providers — companies that help us operate the site (hosting, email delivery, analytics), under strict confidentiality agreements
• Legal requirements — if required by law, court order, or to protect the safety of our users

Any third parties who receive data on our behalf are prohibited from using it for their own marketing purposes.

6. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as necessary to provide our services:

• Server logs: 30 days
• Email subscriber data: until you unsubscribe
• Contact form submissions: 12 months
• Anonymised usage statistics: indefinitely (no personal identifiers)

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Rectification — request correction of inaccurate data
• Erasure — request deletion of your data
• Portability — receive your data in a machine-readable format
• Objection — object to certain processing of your data

To exercise any of these rights, email us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Children's Privacy

TheCrossword.org is not directed at children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

9. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including HTTPS encryption, access controls, and regular security reviews. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make significant changes, we will post a notice on the site. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Contact form: thecrossword.org/contact