Privacy Policy - The Backlog

Effective: May 28, 2026

Contents

Introduction
Information We Collect
How We Use Your Information
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Children’s Privacy
Your Game Collection Data
Data Retention
Data Security
Third-Party Links and Services
Your Rights and Choices
Changes to This Privacy Policy
Contact Us

01 Introduction

Welcome to The Backlog (“we,” “our,” or “us”). The Backlog is a video game collection site and companion app that helps users track, organize, and manage their personal video game libraries. We are committed to protecting the privacy of everyone who visits our website at thebacklog.games and uses The Backlog iOS mobile application (collectively, the “Services”).

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights with respect to that information. By using our Services, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

02 Information We Collect

Automatically Collected Information

When you use our Services, we automatically collect certain anonymous, non-personal usage and analytics data. This helps us understand how players are using The Backlog so we can improve the experience. This information does not identify you personally and includes:

General usage patterns (e.g., which features — such as collection browsing, wishlist, or search — are used most frequently)
Session duration and frequency of app or website visits
Device type, operating system version, and app version
Crash reports and error logs
Aggregated performance metrics

All analytics data is collected only in an anonymous, aggregated form. We do not associate this data with any individual user.

Information We Do NOT Collect

The Backlog does not collect the following types of personal information:

Your name, email address, username, or other contact details
Payment or financial information
Precise or approximate location data
Photos, screenshots, or media from your device
Your game library contents or personal collection data transmitted to our servers
Any information that could be used to personally identify you

03 How We Use Your Information

The anonymous, aggregated analytics data we collect is used solely for the following purposes:

To understand how users interact with The Backlog’s features and improve the app experience
To identify and fix technical issues, bugs, and performance problems
To measure overall reach and usage trends of the Services
To make informed decisions about future features, supported platforms, and game database improvements

We do not sell, rent, or share any data with third parties for advertising or marketing purposes. We do not run ads within The Backlog.

04 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Website (thebacklog.games)

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies solely to support basic site functionality and to collect anonymous analytics data as described above. These are not used to track you across other websites or build a personal profile about you.

You can control cookie settings through your browser’s preferences. Disabling cookies will not prevent you from using our website, though some features may be affected.

The Backlog iOS App

The Backlog iOS app may collect anonymous usage metrics through Apple’s built-in frameworks or similar privacy-preserving tools. No personally identifiable information is collected through the app. Your game collection data is stored locally on your device and is not transmitted to or stored on our servers.

05 Children’s Privacy

Important Notice

The Backlog is available to users of all ages, including children under the age of 13. We are committed to complying with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”).

Because The Backlog does not collect any personally identifiable information from any user — regardless of age — we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. The only data we collect is anonymous, aggregated usage analytics that cannot be used to identify any individual, including children.

Age Verification: The Backlog does not currently require account creation or age verification. Users interact with the app without providing personal information. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has somehow provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at [email protected]. We will promptly investigate and delete any such information if found.

Parental Rights

Parents and legal guardians have the right to:

Review any personal information we may have collected from their child (if any)
Request deletion of any such information
Refuse further collection or use of their child’s information

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 12 below.

06 Your Game Collection Data

Any video game collection data you enter into The Backlog — such as games you own, your wishlist, play status, or personal ratings — is stored locally on your device. We do not transmit, access, or store your personal game library on our servers. This means:

Your collection is private to you and your device
We cannot view, access, or recover your collection data
If you delete the app, your locally stored collection data will be removed from your device

We recommend using your device’s built-in backup tools (such as iCloud) to safeguard your collection data.

07 Data Retention

Anonymous, aggregated analytics data is retained for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, or as required by applicable law. Because this data cannot be linked to any individual, it is not subject to individual deletion requests. We periodically review our data retention practices and purge data that is no longer needed.

08 Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the analytics data we collect from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. However, no method of electronic storage or transmission over the internet is completely secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

09 Third-Party Links and Services

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites or services — for example, links to game databases, storefronts, or review platforms — that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit, as we have no control over and assume no responsibility for their content or practices.

10 Your Rights and Choices

Because we collect only anonymous, aggregated data that cannot be linked back to you personally, many typical data subject rights (such as access or deletion of personal records) do not apply to our standard data collection practices.

However, you have the following choices:

Opt out of analytics on iOS: You can limit analytics data sharing through your device’s Settings › Privacy & Security on your iPhone or iPad.
Browser controls: You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.
Contact us: If you have any concerns about your privacy or the privacy of a child in your care, please reach out to us at [email protected].

11 Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, features, or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will update the “Effective Date” at the top of this policy and post the revised version on our website and/or within the app.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12 Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

The Backlog

Email: [email protected]

Last updated: May 28, 2026