Privacy Policy

Last updated: 13 October 2026

The short version: Gaffer has no user-created accounts. Your game saves stay on your device. If you use online multiplayer, Gaffer uses anonymous Firebase Authentication and Firebase Realtime Database to keep the room in sync. The website includes Google AdSense code and may show advertising following Google approval. Google and its advertising partners may process information as explained below.

Who we are

Gaffer is an independent fan-made football management game, available as the Gaffer app and at plgaffer.com. Contact: [email protected].

Data that stays on your device

Your saved games, achievements, Hall of Fame and settings are stored locally on your device using the app's local storage. We do not receive this data. If you use Export backup, the backup file is created on your device and goes only where you choose to save or send it.

The game may also store a room code and anonymous sign-in ID on your device so an online room can reconnect after a reload. This room-recovery record is valid for up to six hours.

Online rooms

Online multiplayer is optional. When you host or join an online room, the app:

signs in anonymously with Google Firebase Authentication, which creates a random user ID;
does not ask you for a name, email address or phone number for that Firebase sign-in;
stores the room in Google Firebase Realtime Database so players stay in sync, including the room code, the manager name you type, your club, bids and picks, tactics and game state;
when the host leaves or disconnects, the app requests that Firebase delete the online room data. A room-recovery record stored on a player's device expires after six hours. Firebase may retain information temporarily according to its normal service, backup, and retention practices.

Anonymous user ID: The anonymous user ID is not tied to your name, email address or phone number. It can be associated with your activity inside the multiplayer service and may remain in Firebase Authentication after a room is deleted.

Your manager name is user-provided content and is visible to the other players in that room. Only share a manager name you are comfortable showing to them.

To provide online multiplayer, Google may process technical information such as your IP address and device/network information. See Firebase's privacy information.

What we don't do

We do not sell saved games or multiplayer room data to advertising partners.
Our website may use third-party advertising technology, as described below.
No analytics or crash-reporting SDKs in the app.
No in-app purchases and no user-created accounts.

Sharing your season

The Share my season card is an image created on your device. It is only shared or saved if you choose to do so through your device's available sharing or saving options.

The website

plgaffer.com is served through Cloudflare. Cloudflare may process standard request and security information, such as IP address and browser/network details, to deliver and protect the site. The website may also use anonymous, cookie-free performance measurements provided by Cloudflare.

Advertising on the website

The Gaffer website includes Google AdSense code for site verification and may display Google advertising if approved. When AdSense code loads or ads appear, Google and its partners may collect or process information such as IP addresses, browser and device information, cookies or similar identifiers, and ad interactions, for purposes including ad delivery, measurement and fraud prevention. Depending on applicable consent requirements and your choices, some ads may be personalized. See How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services and Google's Privacy Policy.

Website ad placements are limited to the main menu and the completed solo English League season table, separated from game controls. Auctions, drafts, tactics, transfers, match simulation and multiplayer screens have no ad placements.

Advertising on the website and advertising in a separately distributed mobile app are managed independently. Google AdSense website code is not a substitute for a native mobile-app advertising integration.

Children

Gaffer is designed for a general audience. We do not knowingly ask children to provide personal information. In online rooms, the manager name entered by a player is shown to the other people in that room.

Your choices

Delete local saves by starting a new game, clearing the app's local data, or deleting the app.
Do not use online multiplayer if you do not want multiplayer data sent to Firebase.
To request deletion of online-room data or for other privacy questions, email [email protected].

Changes

If this policy changes, we will update this page and the date above.