Privacy Policy - Silksong Map

Your Privacy Rights and Data Protection

Effective Date: January 7, 2025 | Last Updated: January 7, 2025

1. Introduction and Scope

Silksong Map (“we,” “us,” “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparent data practices. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you use our website, interactive maps, and related services for Hollow Knight: Silksong exploration.

This policy applies to:

The Silksong Map website (silksongmap.net)
All interactive mapping tools and utilities
Progress tracking and route planning services
Community features and user-generated content
Newsletter and communication services

Geographic Scope: This policy complies with privacy regulations including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other applicable international privacy laws.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Automatically Collected Information

Website Analytics Data:

Page views, session duration, and navigation patterns
Device information (browser type, operating system, screen resolution)
IP address and approximate geographic location
Referral sources and search terms used to find our site

Technical Performance Data:

Loading times and website performance metrics
Error reports and technical diagnostic information
Feature usage statistics and interaction patterns

2.2 Information You Provide Voluntarily

Account-Free Usage:

Game progress data stored locally on your device
Custom map annotations and personal notes
Route planning preferences and saved routes
Collectible tracking and completion status

Optional Community Features:

Username for community contributions (if participating)
Submitted boss strategies or location discoveries
Comments on guides and community discussions
Feedback and suggestions for website improvement

Communication:

Email address for newsletter subscription (optional)
Contact information when reaching out for support
Survey responses for website improvement

2.3 Cookies and Local Storage

Essential Cookies:

Language preference for multilingual experience
Basic functionality and website operation
Security and fraud prevention measures

Analytics Cookies:

Google Analytics for website performance measurement
User behavior analysis for website optimization
A/B testing for feature improvement

Functional Storage:

Local storage for game progress and user preferences
Custom map annotations and personal notes
Route planning data and exploration history

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Primary Uses

Service Provision:

Delivering interactive Silksong maps and exploration tools
Maintaining progress tracking and route planning functionality
Providing personalized exploration recommendations
Ensuring website security and preventing abuse

Website Optimization:

Analyzing usage patterns to improve user experience
Identifying popular content and underused features
Optimizing website performance and loading speeds
Testing new features and interface improvements

Content Enhancement:

Understanding which areas of Pharloom Kingdom are most explored
Identifying commonly requested features and improvements
Analyzing boss strategy effectiveness and user preferences
Improving collectible guides based on user completion patterns

3.2 Communications

Service Updates:

Important changes to website functionality
New feature announcements and improvements
Security updates and maintenance notifications

Optional Newsletter:

Hollow Knight: Silksong news and updates
New strategy guides and map enhancements
Community highlights and achievements
Unsubscribe option available in every communication

We do NOT sell your personal information to third parties.

Service Providers:

Website hosting and content delivery services
Analytics providers (Google Analytics with IP anonymization)
Email service providers for newsletter delivery
Security services for website protection

Legal Requirements:

Compliance with valid legal requests
Protection of our rights and property
Prevention of fraud and abuse
Emergency situations involving imminent harm

4.2 Community Features

User-Generated Content:

Boss strategies and tips shared with community attribution
Map discoveries and secret locations (username optional)
Comments and discussions on guides and strategies
All community sharing is voluntary and clearly indicated

5. Data Security and Protection

5.1 Security Measures

Technical Safeguards:

SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission
Secure hosting infrastructure with regular updates
Access controls and authentication systems
Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments

Operational Security:

Limited access to personal data on need-to-know basis
Employee training on privacy and security practices
Incident response procedures for data breaches
Regular backup and disaster recovery procedures

5.2 Data Retention

Retention Periods:

Analytics data: 26 months (Google Analytics standard)
Newsletter subscriptions: Until unsubscribe request
Community contributions: Indefinitely (with attribution removal option)
Technical logs: 12 months for security and debugging

Automatic Deletion:

Inactive newsletter subscribers after 2 years of non-engagement
Expired technical logs and temporary files
Outdated analytics data beyond retention period

6. Your Privacy Rights

6.1 Universal Rights

Access and Transparency:

Request information about data we have collected about you
Understand how your data is being used and shared
Receive a copy of your personal information in readable format

Control and Correction:

Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information
Update your communication preferences and settings
Opt-out of non-essential data collection and analytics

Enhanced Rights:

Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in machine-readable format
Right to Object: Object to processing for direct marketing
Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data

Legal Basis for Processing:

Legitimate interests for website functionality and improvement
Consent for optional features like newsletters
Contract performance for service delivery

6.3 CCPA Rights (California Users)

California Consumer Rights:

Know what personal information is collected and how it’s used
Delete personal information (with certain exceptions)
Opt-out of sale of personal information (we don’t sell data)
Non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

7. International Data Transfers

7.1 Cross-Border Processing

Data Location:

Primary hosting in the United States with CDN global distribution
Analytics processing by Google (with Privacy Shield/adequacy protections)
Email services based in the European Union

Transfer Safeguards:

Standard Contractual Clauses for international transfers
Adequacy decisions for countries with appropriate protection
Privacy Shield framework compliance where applicable

8. Children’s Privacy

8.1 Age Restrictions

Under 13 Policy:

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13
Parents can request removal of their child’s information
Community features require users to confirm age appropriateness

Teen Privacy (13-17):

Enhanced privacy protections for teenage users
Parental notification for certain data collection
Simplified privacy controls and clear explanations

Strictly Necessary:

Website functionality and security
Language preferences and basic settings
Cannot be disabled without affecting website operation

Analytics and Performance:

Google Analytics for website improvement
Performance measurement and optimization
Can be disabled through cookie settings

Functional:

Enhanced user experience features
Personalized content and recommendations
Optional and user-controllable

Control Options:

Browser settings to block or delete cookies
Opt-out tools for analytics cookies
Website cookie preference center
Third-party opt-out mechanisms

10. Updates and Changes

10.1 Policy Modifications

Change Notification:

Material changes announced with 30-day notice
Email notification to newsletter subscribers
Prominent website notice for significant changes
Updated “Last Modified” date for all revisions

Continued Use:

Continued website use indicates acceptance of updates
Right to discontinue use if you disagree with changes
Historical versions available upon request

11. Contact Information and Requests

11.1 Privacy Contact

Data Protection Officer:

Email: [email protected]
Response time: 5 business days for most requests
Address: Available upon request for formal notices

Rights Requests:

Include specific request type and required information
Identity verification may be required for security
No fee for reasonable requests (excessive requests may incur charges)

11.2 Complaint Procedures

Internal Resolution:

Direct communication with our privacy team
Escalation to senior management if needed
Good faith effort to resolve within 30 days

External Authorities:

EU users: Contact your local Data Protection Authority
California users: Contact California Attorney General’s office
Other jurisdictions: Contact relevant privacy regulatory authority

12. Compliance and Certification

12.1 Regulatory Compliance

Standards Adherence:

GDPR compliance for European users
CCPA compliance for California residents
International privacy law best practices
Regular compliance audits and assessments

Industry Standards:

ISO 27001 security management principles
NIST Cybersecurity Framework alignment
OWASP security guidelines for web applications

13. Data Processing Lawful Basis

13.1 Legal Justification

Legitimate Interests:

Website operation and security
User experience improvement
Content optimization and development

Consent:

Newsletter subscriptions
Optional analytics cookies
Community participation features

Contract Performance:

Service delivery and functionality
User support and assistance

This Privacy Policy demonstrates our commitment to transparency and user privacy. We believe in providing clear information about data practices while delivering exceptional Silksong exploration tools and resources.

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact: [email protected]

Last Updated: January 7, 2025 | Next Review: July 7, 2025

Privacy Policy - Silksong Map Data Protection and User Rights