Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information VexHex Games, Inc. ("VexHex", "we") collects when you use ChessChat at chesschat.gg (the "Service"), how we use it, and the choices you have.

1. Information we collect

Account information

When you create an account, our authentication provider (Clerk) collects and stores your email address, hashed password, and any profile fields you choose to provide (such as username and avatar image). We receive your Clerk user ID, display name, and avatar URL, and store these in our database so we can attribute your activity to your account.

Content you submit

We store the chess games (PGN), comments, ratings, and guesses you submit, along with timestamps. PGN headers may contain player names you entered.

Technical information

When you visit the Service we automatically receive standard request metadata: IP address, user agent, referring page, and timing. We use this to operate, secure, and improve the Service. We store a hashed version of your IP address for rate-limiting (to prevent abuse), and a small randomly-generated session identifier in a cookie called cc_sid so guests can guess without creating an account.

Payment information

When you purchase a paid feature, payments are processed by Stripe. We do not see or store your full card number. We receive only a token and metadata (last four digits, country, brand) for our records.

2. Cookies

ChessChat uses only essential cookies needed for the Service to function:

• Authentication cookies (set by Clerk) — keep you signed in across pages.
• cc_sid — a random session identifier used to dedupe guess submissions from logged-out visitors.

We do not use advertising cookies, third-party tracking cookies, or analytics cookies as of the effective date of this policy. If we add non-essential cookies in the future, we will update this policy and ask for consent where required by law.

3. How we use information

• To operate the Service: showing your games, comments, and points.
• To prevent abuse: rate limiting, spam detection, security.
• To process payments for paid features.
• To communicate with you about your account or material changes to the Service.
• To improve the Service: aggregated, non-identifying usage stats.

4. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only with:

• Service providers who help us run ChessChat: Vercel (hosting), Neon (database), Clerk (authentication), Stripe (payments), Vercel Blob (image storage). They process data on our behalf under their own privacy commitments.
• Legal requirements: if compelled by law or to investigate suspected abuse of the Service.

5. Data retention

We retain account and content data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will delete your personal information within 30 days, except where we need to retain it to comply with legal obligations (for example, tax records for paid purchases). Content you posted publicly may remain in aggregate form even after account deletion.

6. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to: access the personal data we hold about you, correct or update it, delete it, export it in a portable format, or object to certain processing. To exercise any of these rights, email privacy@chesschat.gg. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Children

ChessChat is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.

8. International transfers

We are based in the United States, and our service providers may process data in the United States and the European Union. By using the Service, you consent to your information being transferred to and processed in these locations.

9. Changes

We may update this policy. If we make material changes, we will post a notice on the Service or email account holders. The "Effective" date at the top reflects the most recent revision.

10. Contact

Questions or requests? Email privacy@chesschat.gg.