Privacy Policy — Paperlift

Last updated: October 1, 2026
Effective date: October 1, 2026

Paperlift is operated by Alan Schaaf.
Contact: alanmschaaf@gmail.com
App: Paperlift (iOS)
Bundle identifier: com.alanschaaf.Thermal

This page describes how Paperlift handles data. It is written to match the shipping app on the App Store. It is not legal advice.

What Paperlift is

Paperlift is a local flying game for iPhone. You fly a paper plane, earn Paper currency, unlock folds, and chase scores and achievements. You do not create an account with us.

Optional features:

Game Center (Apple) for scores and achievements
Rewarded video ads (Google AdMob) you choose to watch — Continue flying (revive after a crash) and Double Paper
Soft ads (Google AdMob) — a banner on the death / results card, and an interstitial after some Fly again taps (not mid-flight, not on the title or Main Menu)
Local notifications (optional daily sky reminder)

This shipped version has no in-app purchases (no Remove Ads product and no Paper packs).

Data we collect / process

We do not operate user accounts and we do not maintain a server-side profile of players.

1. Data that stays on your device (local only)

Stored with Apple’s UserDefaults on your device, for gameplay:

High scores
Paper currency
Folds
Daily streak
Achievement progress

This local save data does not leave the app unless you use Game Center or interact with ads (see below). Deleting the app deletes this local data (subject to any iCloud / device backups you manage yourself).

Privacy Manifest: the app declares UserDefaults access under Apple’s required-reason API category (CA92.1).

2. Analytics (on-device only)

Gameplay/analytics events are logged on-device via Apple’s os_log only. There is no remote analytics vendor in this shipped version. Nothing from that sink is sent to a third-party analytics service by Paperlift.

3. Apple — Game Center (optional)

If you sign in to Game Center, scores and achievements may be sent to Apple. That processing is governed by Apple’s privacy policy and Game Center terms. You can decline Game Center and still play.

4. Google AdMob — rewarded and soft ads

Paperlift uses Google AdMob for:

Type	When
Rewarded video — Continue flying	Optional; you tap to revive after a crash (one revive per run)
Rewarded video — Double Paper	Optional; you tap to double Paper earned that run
Banner	Death / results card only (bottom of the screen)
Interstitial	After some Fly again taps in a session (skip first few; never mid-flight; never on title / Main Menu / Endless unlock; skipped if you used a rewarded ad on that same death card)

Per Paperlift’s Apple Privacy Manifest (PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy):

Declared data type	Linked to identity	Used for tracking	Purpose
Device ID	No	Yes	Third-party advertising
Advertising Data	No	Yes	Third-party advertising

Tracking: NSPrivacyTracking is true. Declared tracking domains include Google ad-related hosts (for example googleads.g.doubleclick.net, pagead2.googlesyndication.com, www.googleadservices.com).

Google may process additional information in connection with serving, measuring, and limiting ads (for example advertising identifiers and ad interaction data), as described in Google’s policies. We do not sell your personal information.

Google privacy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

App Tracking Transparency (ATT)

On supported versions of iOS, Paperlift may request permission via Apple’s App Tracking Transparency prompt so AdMob can show more relevant / personalized ads. The in-app usage string is:

Paperlift uses this to show you more relevant ads.

The ATT prompt is requested around the first death / results card (not on launch or the title screen).

You can tap Don’t Allow and still play. Optional rewarded ads can still work; they may be less personalized. Soft ads may still appear.
Change later: iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.
If Allow Apps to Request to Track is off system-wide, iOS will not show the prompt (treated as denied).

Consent / UMP (where required)

Where required (for example in regions covered by Google’s consent requirements such as the EEA/UK), Paperlift uses Google’s User Messaging Platform (UMP) so you can make ad privacy choices. When privacy options are required, the in-app Privacy screen (under Folds / Store) can present Ad privacy choices.

Accounts and purchases

No user accounts with Alan Schaaf / Paperlift.
No in-app purchases in this shipped version.

Children / age

Paperlift is a general-audience game and is not directed at children under 13. Because the app includes AdMob and declares tracking for third-party advertising, it is not intended for use by children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe a child has provided information through the app in a way that concerns you, contact us at the email above.

(We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 for our own account systems — we do not operate accounts.)

Retention

Local game data: retained on your device until you delete the app or clear app data.
Game Center: retained by Apple under Apple’s policies.
AdMob / Google: retained by Google under Google’s policies.
We do not operate a separate Paperlift cloud database of player profiles.

Sharing

We share or enable sharing of data only as described above:

Apple (Game Center, if you use it; and Apple platform services generally)
Google (AdMob for rewarded and soft ads)

We do not sell your personal information. We do not share local UserDefaults game saves with other companies for their independent marketing.

Security

We rely on Apple’s on-device storage for local saves and on Apple’s and Google’s security practices for their services. No method of electronic storage or transmission is 100% secure. Please use device passcodes / biometrics and keep iOS updated.

Your choices

Choice	How
Tracking / ATT	iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking
Limit ad personalization	ATT denial; iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking / Apple Advertising; Google AdChoices on ads; UMP “Ad privacy choices” when shown
Game Center	Sign out / don’t use Game Center in Settings or when prompted
Notifications	iOS Settings → Notifications → Paperlift (or decline when asked)
Report an ad	Use Google’s AdChoices / “Why this ad” controls on the ad; or report a problem via Apple
Contact us	alanmschaaf@gmail.com

Deleting the app removes Paperlift’s local UserDefaults data on that device (backups aside).

California / EEA–UK (light)

California: We do not sell personal information. Categories of data processed are described above (primarily on-device game state; Device ID and Advertising Data for third-party ads via Google; optional Game Center data via Apple). For questions or requests related to your information, email alanmschaaf@gmail.com. Because we do not maintain user accounts or a consumer profile database, some “access/delete” requests may be limited to guiding you to delete the app, adjust iOS/Game Center/ad settings, or contact Apple/Google for data they hold.

EEA/UK: Where Google’s consent / UMP flows apply, you will see consent and privacy-option UI. Our role for ad-related processing is as the app operator using Google AdMob; Google acts as described in its policies. Contact us at alanmschaaf@gmail.com with privacy questions. We have not appointed a separate DPO for this indie app; use the contact email above.

Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The Last updated date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of Paperlift after an update means you acknowledge the revised policy. Material changes may also be noted in the App Store listing or in-app where practical.

Contact

Alan Schaaf
Email: alanmschaaf@gmail.com
Subject line tip: Paperlift privacy