Privacy Policy

Ratz-GG ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), the registered company that operates the website ratz-gg.net and related services (collectively, the "Platform"), provides tools for skill-based competitive gaming, including tournaments, community features, combos, and optional Ego Matches in games such as Naraka: Bladepoint and Where Winds Meet. Ratz-GG is the data controller for personal data processed through the Platform.

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Platform, create an account, participate in tournaments or Ego Matches, or otherwise interact with us.

By using the Platform, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform. We may update this Policy; material changes will be notified via the Platform or email, and continued use constitutes acceptance.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that identifies, relates to, or could reasonably be linked with you ("Personal Information"). Categories include:

Information You Provide Directly:

• Account information: username, email address, password, date of birth/age verification data.
• Profile details: in-game usernames, preferred game settings, biography or avatar (if optional).
• Ego Match details: stakes (amounts), match rules, outcomes/results you submit or confirm, evidence such as screenshots or game logs.
• Communications: support tickets, chat messages, trash-talk comments, feedback, or dispute-related information.
• Payment-related inputs: any information you enter to initiate Stripe workflows (we do not store full payment card or bank details - these are handled directly by Stripe).

Automatically Collected Information:

• Device and usage data: IP address, device type, browser/OS version, device identifiers (including hardware IDs when anti-cheat is used), pages visited, time spent, clickstream data.
• Geolocation information: approximate or coarse location (city/region level) derived from IP address or device signals, used primarily for eligibility verification and fraud prevention. We do not collect precise GPS location unless you explicitly enable it and consent.
• Cookies, pixels, and similar technologies: for functionality, analytics, advertising, and security. You can manage non-essential cookies through your browser settings, and where required (for example, in the EU and UK) we request your consent before setting them.

Information from Third Parties:

• Game platforms or APIs (limited match verification data, if integrated and permitted).
• Stripe: confirmation of workflow initiation/completion (we receive minimal transaction metadata for validation and fee purposes; full payment data stays with Stripe).
• Analytics or anti-cheat tools (anonymized or aggregated usage patterns, plus HWID data for integrity enforcement).

We aim for data minimization - we collect only what is reasonably necessary for the purposes described.

2. Advertising and Google AdSense

We display advertising to keep the Platform free to use. We use third-party advertising partners, including Google, to serve those ads.

For more detail on how Google uses data when you use our partners' sites or apps, see policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use Personal Information for the following purposes:

• To provide, operate, and improve the Platform (account creation, matchmaking, tournament management, result validation).
• To facilitate Ego Matches: verify eligibility, monitor/validate outcomes based on user-submitted evidence, process administrative service fees, and enable direct P2P Stripe workflows.
• For compliance and risk management: age verification, geolocation-based jurisdiction checks, fraud/cheating detection, anti-money laundering (AML) or regulatory requirements (to the extent applicable).
• To communicate with you: account notifications, match confirmations, support responses, important updates (you may opt out of non-essential marketing).
• For analytics and Platform improvement: aggregate/de-identified data on usage trends.
• To display and measure advertising served by Google and other partners.
• To enforce our Terms of Service, resolve disputes, and protect legal rights.
• For moderation: reviewing chat/comment content and enforcing conduct policies, including IP and HWID-based blocks for abusive users.

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects on you, except basic automated fraud and eligibility risk scoring. You may contact us to request human review of such a decision.

4. How We Share Your Information

We share Personal Information only in limited circumstances:

• With service providers and processors: hosting providers, analytics tools, advertising partners (including Google), anti-cheat services, email/SMS providers - under contracts that require them to protect your data and use it only for our purposes.
• With Stripe: minimal metadata necessary for initiating and confirming P2P workflows and collecting our administrative fee. Please review Stripe's Privacy Policy.
• For legal compliance: when required by law, court order, subpoena, or to respond to lawful requests from public authorities.
• In business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (with notice where required).
• With your consent or at your direction: e.g., sharing match results or evidence with the other participant in a dispute.
• Aggregated or de-identified data: for research, marketing, or industry insights (not reasonably linkable to you).

We do not "sell" Personal Information as defined under California or similar state laws. We do not share sensitive personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising without consent.

5. Data Retention

We retain Personal Information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined, to comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax, AML, or dispute resolution records), or to resolve disputes. Account data is typically retained while your account is active; inactive accounts may be deleted after a reasonable period (e.g., 2 years) following notice where feasible. Match-related data (results, evidence) may be kept longer for dispute resolution or regulatory purposes.

6. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights such as:

• Access: Request confirmation of whether we process your Personal Information and obtain a copy.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your Personal Information (subject to exceptions).
• Opt-out: Opt out of targeted advertising, profiling, or sale/sharing (if applicable).
• Data portability (in some states).
• Non-discrimination for exercising rights.

For Connecticut Residents (and other applicable U.S. state residents): We honor rights under the Connecticut Data Privacy Act and similar laws. To exercise rights, submit a verifiable request via email to [email protected]. We will respond within required timelines (typically 45 days, extendable where permitted). You may appeal denials. Authorized agents may submit requests on your behalf with proof of authorization, and we may need to verify your identity before fulfilling a request.

7. Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your Personal Information (e.g., encryption for transmitted data, access controls, secure servers). However, no system is completely secure. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. Report suspected breaches promptly.

8. Children's Privacy

The Platform is not directed to children under 18 (or the age of majority). We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from minors. If we learn we have collected such data, we will delete it. Ego Matches require users to be at least 18.

9. International Users and Data Transfers

The Platform is hosted in the United States. If you access it from outside the U.S., your information is transferred to and processed in the U.S. Where we transfer personal data from the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses (with the UK Addendum where applicable) or another lawful transfer mechanism. A copy of the relevant safeguards is available on request.

10. Third-Party Links and Services

The Platform may link to third-party sites or integrate services (e.g., game platforms, Stripe). We are not responsible for their privacy practices.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates the effective date.

12. European Economic Area, UK, and Swiss Users (GDPR / UK GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, the following applies to our processing of your personal data:

Controller: Ratz-GG is the data controller. Contact: [email protected].

Legal bases: We process personal data where (a) it is necessary to perform our contract with you (operating your account, matchmaking, validating results, and enabling payouts); (b) we have a legitimate interest (security, fraud and cheating prevention, anti-cheat enforcement, and improving the Platform), balanced against your rights; (c) we must comply with a legal obligation (tax, AML, and record-keeping); or (d) you have given consent (for non-essential cookies, advertising, and any optional processing), which you may withdraw at any time.

Your rights: Subject to applicable law, you may request access to, rectification of, or erasure of your personal data; restrict or object to processing; request data portability; and withdraw consent. To exercise these rights, email [email protected]. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority (in the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office).

International transfers: Your data is processed in the United States under the safeguards described in Section 9.

Retention: We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Policy or as required by law.

13. Contact Us

Email: [email protected]

For California, Connecticut, or other state-specific privacy requests, include "Privacy Rights Request" in the subject line.