1Introduction & Scope
Welcome to MÉ-MO ("we," "our," or "us"). We operate the daily crossword and arrow-word gaming platform accessible at https://me-mo.app.
Your privacy is fundamental to our craft. We believe in minimal data collection: you can solve all daily puzzles, browse archives, and enjoy word games without ever being forced to create an account or provide government-issued identity. This Privacy Policy explains how personal data is collected, processed, and safeguarded under the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA), and applicable global privacy laws.
2Information We Collect
We classify the information processed through our services into three distinct categories:
A. Client-Side Puzzle State (Local Storage)
Your daily puzzle progress, completed grid letters, current solving streaks, timer scores, and UI theme preferences (e.g., dark mode, high contrast) are stored directly on your device via HTML5 Local Storage. This data remains on your browser and is not transmitted to our servers unless you deliberately link an account.
B. Server & Security Logs
When you request a puzzle or asset, our edge network automatically records standard technical HTTP headers, including your IP address (anonymized/truncated where feasible), user-agent string, operating system, and request timestamp, solely for security, rate-limiting, and DDoS mitigation.
C. Voluntary Inquiries & Errata Submissions
If you contact us via email (contact@me-mo.app) to report a clue erratum or submit feedback, we collect your email address, name (if supplied), and the contents of your correspondence to resolve your request.
3Advertising & Google AdSense
To maintain MÉ-MO as a 100% free daily resource for solvers worldwide, we display web advertising provided by third-party advertising partners, primarily Google AdSense.
Required Google AdSense & Third-Party Advertising Disclosures:
- Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to MÉ-MO or other websites on the Internet.
- Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to our users based on their visit to our site and/or other sites on the Internet.
- Users located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom (UK), and Switzerland are presented with a Google-certified Consent Management Platform (CMP) allowing them to grant, refuse, or customize consent for personalized advertising and data processing in accordance with GDPR and the IAB TCF framework.
- Users may opt out of personalized advertising at any time by visiting Google Ads Settings or via aboutads.info .
4Analytics & Performance Cookies
We use Google Analytics to measure aggregate visitor metrics, such as which crossword grids are most popular, average time-to-solve, bounce rates, and browser compatibility.
Google Analytics sets first-party cookies (e.g. _ga, _ga_*) to distinguish unique visitors across sessions. We have configured IP anonymization so your full IP address is never stored on Google Analytics servers. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on .
For complete details on all cookie categories and how to change your consent, please read our Cookie Policy.
5Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)
If you reside within the European Economic Area or UK, we process personal data under:
- Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR): For non-essential cookies, personalized advertising identifiers, and Google Analytics tracking, obtained through our consent banner.
- Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR): For maintaining website security, preventing automated puzzle scraping, troubleshooting technical errors, and delivering essential daily crossword content.
- Legal Obligation (Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR): To comply with applicable tax, accounting, and statutory obligations.
6Your Privacy Rights (GDPR & CCPA/CPRA)
Regardless of your geographic location, we respect your statutory privacy rights:
European Union / UK (GDPR)
- Right to Access: Request a copy of data we hold about you.
- Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate information.
- Right to Erasure: Request permanent deletion of personal data ("Right to be Forgotten").
- Right to Restriction & Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw cookie consent at any time without penalty.
California Consumers (CCPA / CPRA)
- Right to Know: Know what categories and specific pieces of personal information are collected.
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of collected personal information.
- Right to Opt-Out: Direct us not to sell or share your personal information with third parties.
- Right to Non-Discrimination: Equal service and pricing regardless of exercising privacy rights.
- Notice of Financial Incentives: We offer no discriminatory financial incentives.
To exercise any of these rights, email us at contact@me-mo.app. We verify and respond to all authenticated requests within 30 days free of charge.
7Data Retention Periods
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes set forth herein:
- Browser Local Storage: Preserved locally on your machine indefinitely until you clear your browser cache or reset site data.
- Web Server Logs: Rotated and automatically purged within 30 to 90 days.
- Analytics Data: Retained in Google Analytics under standard data retention settings (maximum 14 months before automated deletion).
- Support Correspondence: Kept for up to 12 months following resolution of your inquiry to maintain editorial audit trails.
8Children's Privacy (COPPA & GDPR-K)
MÉ-MO is a general audience word puzzle website. We do not direct our services specifically to children under the age of 13 in the United States (or under 16 in certain EU member states), nor do we knowingly collect personally identifiable information from minors.
If a parent or guardian becomes aware that a child has provided us with personal data without parental consent, please notify us immediately at contact@me-mo.app. We will promptly delete such records from our databases.
9Data Controller & Inquiries
The data controller responsible for the processing of your personal information is MÉ-MO. If you have any questions, complaints, or requests regarding this policy, please contact our Data Protection representative: