Privacy & Cookie Policy
Operator and trading name: Pigeon Racing Online is the trading name used for this independently operated game. It is not represented as a registered limited company. For support, account matters or privacy enquiries, email pigeonracinginfo@gmail.com. The operator’s legal identity and address for formal notices will be supplied where required by law.
1. Information we use
Registration currently requires an 18-or-over confirmation; we do not require a full date of birth for this check. When you create and use an account, the service may process information such as your email address, display name, password hash, account/session information, loft and game records, support messages, security/audit information and technical information needed to operate the website.
Passwords are stored as password hashes rather than readable passwords.
2. Why we use it
We use account and game information to provide the service, authenticate members, maintain persistent game history, process member actions, prevent abuse, provide support, secure the service and diagnose technical problems. Where applicable, processing is based on providing the service you request, legitimate interests in operating and securing the game, consent for optional analytics, and legal obligations.
3. Club, federation and public game information
To run club and federation competitions, we process your selected or assigned club and federation, loft location information used to calculate race distances, race entries, pigeon records, rankings and results. Your display name, loft name, affiliation, entries, results and certain pigeon and marketplace information may be shown to other members or publicly on the website. Please avoid including your real name, address, telephone number or other sensitive details in public names, profiles and chat.
4. Virtual fanciers and communications
Some racing accounts are labelled or operated as virtual (AI) competitors. The game also processes messages, reports and moderation-related information where members use club, federation, global or private communication features. Messages may be subject to automated filtering and abuse-prevention measures. Other participants may be able to read messages you send to them or into shared chats.
5. Google Analytics
Pigeon Racing Online uses Google Analytics 4 only after you choose Accept analytics. Analytics is optional and remains off if you reject it. It helps us understand general site usage and improve the game. You can reopen Cookie settings from the website footer and change your analytics choice.
6. Cookies and local storage
Essential account/session technology is used where necessary to keep you signed in and operate the service. The site also stores your analytics consent choice locally in your browser. Optional Google Analytics technology is loaded only after analytics consent is granted.
7. Payment information
Stripe Sandbox is currently used for payment testing only and does not take real money. Pigeon Racing Online records limited payment-operation information needed to match test Checkout orders, verify webhook events, fulfil test Credits and reconcile refund/dispute events. Card details are handled by Stripe rather than stored by Pigeon Racing Online.
8. Sharing and processors
Information may be processed by service providers that help host, secure, analyse or operate the service. This currently includes hosting infrastructure, Google Analytics when you consent, and Stripe for Sandbox payment testing. We do not sell member personal information.
9. Retention
Account information may be archived after inactivity and reactivated when a member returns. Requests for deletion are reviewed against the need to retain race results, ownership and pedigree history, security records and any legal obligations; where appropriate, retained history may be anonymised. We retain information for as long as reasonably needed to operate accounts and the persistent game, protect security, resolve disputes, meet legal obligations and maintain appropriate financial/audit records. Some game history may be retained or anonymised because permanent results, pedigrees and ownership history are part of the service.
10. Your choices and rights
Depending on applicable data-protection law, you may have rights to ask for access, correction, deletion, restriction or portability of personal information, or to object to certain processing. You can withdraw optional analytics consent at any time through Cookie settings. These rights can have lawful exceptions, including records that must be retained for security, legal or accounting reasons.
11. Security
We use technical and organisational measures intended to protect accounts and service data. No online service can guarantee absolute security, so members should use a strong, unique password and keep account credentials private.
12. Contact and complaints
Use the in-game Contact / Report Issue feature for privacy requests or questions. Pigeon Racing Online is independently owned and operated. For privacy requests, including access, correction or deletion enquiries, email pigeonracinginfo@gmail.com. Further information about the responsible operator will be provided where legally required. UK users may also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk).
13. Changes
We may update this policy as the service changes. The effective date and version at the top identify the current published policy.