Last Updated: June 26, 2026
This Privacy Policy describes how Pundown (“Pundown,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and shares information about you when you access or use the Pundown website, application, and related services (collectively, the “Service”). By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
Operator note: Pundown is currently operated as an unincorporated project. Upon formation of a legal entity, this Policy will be updated to identify that entity as the data controller responsible for your information.
1. Who We Are
Pundown is a daily online word-game in which users submit original puns based on a daily prompt and vote on submissions by other users. For the purposes of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), Pundown acts as the “data controller” of the personal data described in this Policy. You can contact us at any time at support@pundown.com.
2. Information We Collect
We collect the following limited categories of information:
2.1 Information You Provide to Us
- Email address: used to create and secure your account, authenticate logins, and communicate with you about the Service.
- Username: a public display name you choose. Your username is visible to other users on leaderboards and alongside your submissions.
- Location details: the city, state/territory, and country you optionally provide, which are used to display region-based leaderboards.
- Puns and other content: the puns you submit and the votes you cast.
- Age certification: confirmation that you meet the minimum age to use the Service.
2.2 Information We Collect Automatically
- Device and usage data: such as IP address, browser type, device identifiers, pages viewed, and the dates and times of your visits.
- Approximate location: derived from your IP address.
- Cookies and similar technologies: used to keep you logged in, remember preferences, measure usage, and support analytics and advertising as described in Sections 4 and 5.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide, operate, and maintain the Service;
- Create and secure your account and authenticate logins;
- Display your username, puns, and rankings to other users;
- Communicate with you about the Service, including service-related notices;
- Understand how the Service is used and improve it;
- Measure and improve our marketing and advertising, including through the partners described in Section 5; and
- Protect the Service, our users, and the public, and comply with legal obligations.
4. Cookies, Analytics, and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Service and to understand and measure how it is used. This includes Google Analytics, which helps us understand traffic and usage patterns. We also use the Meta Pixel, the Reddit Pixel, and similar advertising technologies to measure the effectiveness of our advertising and to reach people who may be interested in the Service, as described further in Section 5.
Where required by law (for example, in the EU/EEA and UK), we will request your consent before placing non-essential analytics or advertising cookies, and you may withdraw your consent at any time. Most browsers also let you refuse or delete cookies through their settings, though some features of the Service may not function properly without them.
5. Advertising and Data Sharing with Meta and Other Partners
We use advertising and analytics services provided by third parties, including Meta Platforms, Inc. (“Meta”, the operator of Facebook and Instagram), Reddit, Inc. (the operator of Reddit), and Google, to promote the Service and measure how our advertising performs.
5.1 What we share
Through tools such as the Meta Pixel and Meta’s advanced matching feature, we may share certain information about your activity on the Service with Meta and similar partners. This may include device and usage data, the actions you take on the Service (such as visiting a page, submitting a pun, or voting), and limited contact and identifying information, such as your email address, that has been hashed (irreversibly converted into a coded value) before it is transmitted. Hashing is designed to protect your information so that the partner does not receive it in plain, readable form.
5.2 How it is used
These partners use this information to help us measure and attribute the results of our advertising, to match visitors of the Service to their accounts on the partner’s platform, to build audiences of people who have interacted with the Service (including for remarketing), and to identify other people who may be interested in the Service (such as “lookalike” audiences). The partners may also use the information they receive in accordance with their own privacy policies and terms.
5.3 We do not sell your personal information
We do not sell your personal information for money. However, the sharing of information with advertising partners described above may be considered “sharing” or a “sale” for cross-context behavioral advertising under certain laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act as amended (“CCPA/CPRA”). You have the right to opt out of this sharing as described in Section 10.
5.4 Your choices
Where required by law, we will obtain your consent before sharing information with advertising partners for these purposes, and you may withdraw consent at any time. You can also manage advertising preferences directly with the partners — for example, through your Meta account ad settings and Google’s ad settings — and you can contact us at support@pundown.com to exercise the rights described in Sections 9 and 10.
For more information about how these partners handle your data, see Meta’s Privacy Policy and Google’s Privacy Policy on their respective websites.
6. How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information for money. We share information only in the following circumstances:
- Publicly within the Service: your username, puns, and rankings are visible to other users as part of how the game works.
- Service providers: with vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, email delivery, analytics, and advertising, under obligations of confidentiality and limited use.
- Advertising and analytics partners: as described in Sections 4 and 5.
- Legal and safety reasons: where we believe disclosure is necessary to comply with law, enforce our Terms, or protect the rights, property, or safety of Pundown, our users, or others.
- Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, including the formation of a legal entity to operate the Service.
7. International Data Transfers
We may process and store information in countries other than the one in which you live, including the United States. Where we transfer personal data from the EU/EEA or UK, we rely on appropriate safeguards (such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses) where required. Our advertising and analytics partners, including Meta and Google, may also process your information in the United States and other countries under their own safeguards.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and for legitimate business or legal purposes. When information is no longer needed, we will delete or anonymize it. Note that puns and other content you submit are licensed to us as described in our Terms and Conditions and may be retained and displayed even after your account is closed.
9. Your Privacy Rights
9.1 EU/EEA and UK Users (GDPR)
Subject to applicable law, you have the right to: access your personal data; correct inaccurate data; request erasure; restrict or object to processing (including processing for direct marketing and advertising); data portability; and withdraw consent at any time. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
9.2 California Users (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to: know the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect; request deletion of your personal information; correct inaccurate information; and opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. As described in Section 5, our use of advertising partners such as Meta may constitute “sharing” under these laws, and you may opt out. We do not sell your personal information for money. You also have the right not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights.
9.3 How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, including opting out of data sharing for advertising, contact us at support@pundown.com. We may need to verify your identity before responding. You may also use an authorized agent where permitted by law.
10. Opting Out of Advertising and Sharing
You can opt out of having your information shared with advertising partners for targeted or cross-context behavioral advertising by: (a) declining or withdrawing consent where we present a consent option; (b) contacting us at support@pundown.com; and (c) adjusting the ad and privacy settings within your Meta and Google accounts. Industry opt-out tools such as those offered by the Digital Advertising Alliance and the Network Advertising Initiative may also allow you to limit interest-based advertising across participating companies.
11. Children’s Privacy
The Service is not directed to, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from, anyone under the age of 16. By using the Service, you certify that you are at least 16 years old. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a person under 16, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe a person under 16 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at support@pundown.com.
12. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures designed to protect your information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will revise the “Last Updated” date above and, where appropriate, provide additional notice (such as by email or a notice within the Service). Your continued use of the Service after the changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy.
14. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Pundown
Email: support@pundown.com