Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how BlossomWordGame.uk (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, stores and protects information when you visit our website, play the Blossom Word Game, read daily hints and answers, subscribe to our email list, or contact us. It should be read together with our Terms of Use and Disclaimer.

1. Who We Are

BlossomWordGame.uk is an independent fan website focused on the daily Blossom-style word flower puzzle and related free word games (including Quordle, Waffle, Tightrope and Octordle on our Word Games section). We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or officially connected to Merriam-Webster or any other game publisher. For privacy-related questions, use the Contact link in the site footer.

2. Information We Collect

We collect limited information depending on how you use the site:

• Information you provide: When you submit our contact form, newsletter sign-up, or email us directly, we may receive your name, email address and message content. We use this only to respond or send the service you requested.
• Technical and usage data: Like most websites, we receive automatic data from your browser and device, such as IP address (often in truncated or aggregated form), browser type, operating system, referring URL, pages viewed, approximate location (country/region), and date/time of visits. This helps us understand traffic, fix errors and improve performance.
• Local storage on your device: Our games and theme toggle may store preferences (for example light/dark mode or game progress) in your browser’s local storage. This data stays on your device unless you clear it.
• Cookies and similar technologies: We and our partners may use cookies, web beacons and similar tools as described in Section 5 below.

We do not require account registration to play Blossom Word Game or browse our hints and answers. We do not knowingly collect payment card details on this site because our games are free to play.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for legitimate purposes including:

• Operating, maintaining and securing the website and games;
• Replying to contact requests, feedback and support enquiries;
• Sending newsletter emails where you have opted in (you may unsubscribe at any time);
• Measuring audience size, popular pages and user experience through analytics;
• Displaying advertising through Google AdSense and related programmes, where enabled;
• Detecting abuse, spam, fraud or technical problems;
• Complying with legal obligations and enforcing our Terms of Use.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We do not use your contact details for unrelated marketing without consent.

4. Legal Bases (UK & EEA Visitors)

If you are in the United Kingdom or European Economic Area, we process personal data on these bases: (a) consent, where you subscribe to emails or accept non-essential cookies; (b) legitimate interests, to run and improve our site, ensure security and measure readership; and (c) legal obligation, where the law requires us to retain or disclose data. You may object to certain processing or withdraw consent without affecting access to the free game where processing is not strictly necessary.

5. Cookies, Analytics and Advertising

Essential functionality: Some cookies or local storage are needed for basic site operation (for example remembering your theme preference).

Analytics: We may use Google Analytics or similar services to understand how visitors find and use our pages (such as the home game, Today hints, Answers archive and Word Games). Analytics providers may set cookies and process IP addresses according to their own policies. You can limit analytics via browser settings, opt-out browser add-ons, or consent tools where shown.

Advertising: We may display ads through Google AdSense. Google and its partners may use cookies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other sites. You can learn more about how Google uses data at Google’s partner sites policy and manage ad personalisation in Google Ad Settings. Where required by law, we will request consent before loading non-essential advertising cookies.

You can block or delete cookies through your browser settings. Blocking all cookies may affect some features (for example saved theme).

6. Third-Party Services and Links

Our site may link to external websites (for example our blog). Third parties have their own privacy practices. Contact and newsletter forms save submissions on our server and may send email via our hosting.

7. Data Retention

We keep contact and newsletter data only as long as needed for the purpose collected, unless a longer period is required by law. Analytics data is typically retained in aggregated form according to our analytics provider’s settings. Server logs may be kept for a limited period for security and troubleshooting.

8. Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures (such as HTTPS, access controls on hosting and software updates) to protect information. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our site is intended for a general audience. The Blossom Word Game is suitable for learners of many ages, but we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. If you believe a child has provided personal data, contact us and we will delete it promptly where appropriate.

10. International Visitors

Our servers and service providers may process data in the United Kingdom, European Union, United States or other countries. Where data is transferred outside your country, we rely on appropriate safeguards where required (such as standard contractual clauses or adequacy decisions).

11. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to processing of your personal data, and to data portability or lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (in the UK, the ICO). To exercise rights, submit a request using the Contact link in the site footer. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when our practices or legal requirements change. Continued use of the site after changes means you accept the updated policy.