Privacy policy

1. What we collect and why

Card sets you make

Your words, titles, and settings are processed in your browser to preview cards and build PDFs. PDFs are created on your device and aren't uploaded to us.

When you use Copy link, most sets are packed into the link itself, after the "#" symbol. That part of a link is not sent to our servers when the link is opened. Anyone you share the link with can see the list inside it.

Short links

If a list is too long for a normal link, or when a caller sheet QR code is created, we save the set on our servers and give you a short link. We store the set data (your words, title, and settings), when the link was created and last opened, and a scrambled (hashed) version of a private delete key. Short links are deleted automatically after 400 days without being opened. You can delete one sooner with the Delete saved link button on the device that created it, or by contacting us with the link.

Games with join links

When a host creates a join link, we store the game on our servers so players can get cards: the game code, the card set (words, title, and settings), the host's settings (card limit, printed cards, late joining), and a scrambled (hashed) version of the host's private key. When a player joins, we store their card number, the first name they chose to enter (optional, shown only to the host), and scrambled versions of their private device key and recovery code. Players on a waitlist are stored the same way. When a player presses BINGO, we store the claim (card number, the player's first name if given, and whether the host has checked it) so the host can check the card and the player can see the result. If the host turns on auto-mark, we also store the items called so far and the round, the server checks claims automatically, and players' phones check for new calls every few seconds while the game is on screen. When the host ends a game, we store a short recap (the game title, number of rounds and calls, and each round's winner name, pattern, and prize) so players see a thank-you screen. Games and everything in them are deleted automatically 48 hours after the last activity.

Host links

The host link shown when you host a game contains your card set and, once you create a join link, a private host key. We don't send it anywhere: you copy it, or choose Email to myself, which opens your own email app. Anyone who has the host link can control that game, so keep it private.

Hosting a game on your device

The bingo caller keeps the called numbers, rounds, winners, and your caller settings in your browser's storage on your device so a refresh doesn't lose your game. Winner names you type stay on your device. Winner certificates and calendar reminders are created on your device and aren't uploaded.

Abuse prevention

To stop abuse, we count how many short links and games are created, and how many join requests are made, from each connection per hour. We store a hashed (scrambled) version of the IP address with the count, not the address itself, and delete these counts within about a day.

Analytics

We use Google Analytics 4 to learn which pages and features are used, such as how many cards are downloaded, which card types are popular, and whether visitors arrive from search engines or AI assistants. Google Analytics collects information like pages viewed, approximate location, device and browser type, and referring site. Our events include settings and counts (for example, "5 × 5 word cards, 30 cards") and never include your word lists, titles, or links.

Bingo Caller Chrome extension

Our Bingo Caller extension for Google Chrome works entirely in your browser. It doesn't collect, send, or sell any personal information, and it has no analytics or ads. Your current game and settings (such as the number range and read-aloud choice) are saved only in the extension's storage on your device. Read-aloud uses your browser's built-in voices. Links in the extension open this website, where this privacy policy applies.

Grow by Mediavine

Most pages load Grow, a tool from Mediavine that lets visitors save and follow content they like. Grow is provided by Mediavine under its own privacy policy and may use cookies or similar technology. It isn't loaded on the phone card page or the presentation screen.

Hosting

The site is hosted by Netlify, which processes IP addresses and request details to deliver pages and protect against attacks. Our fonts are served from our own site, so loading them doesn't send your information to a font provider.

2. Cookies and choices

We use Google Consent Mode. For visitors in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, analytics and advertising storage start switched off. Visitors in European time zones see a banner to accept or reject, and anyone can change their choice at any time with Privacy choices at the bottom of every page. When storage is switched off, Google may still receive limited information without cookies, such as that a page was viewed.

Elsewhere, analytics is on by default and you can turn it off with Privacy choices.

If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, we treat it as a request to opt out of advertising storage and ad personalization, and we switch those off automatically.

The site also saves a few settings in your browser's storage on your device: your cookie choice, light or dark mode, paper size, your recent sets, delete keys for short links you created, whether you dismissed the bookmark tip, your current bingo caller game and settings (including breaks and winners), the private key for a game you're hosting, your marker style and color for phone cards, your card, recovery code, and marked squares for games you've joined, and, for the current visit only, whether you arrived from an AI assistant. You can clear these by clearing your browser's site data.

3. Advertising

The site does not show ads yet. We plan to add ads to support the free tool. Before ads go live, we will update this policy to explain the advertising partners involved, the data they use, and your choices, including how to opt out of personalized ads.

4. Sharing

We don't sell your personal information. We share information only with service providers that run the site (Netlify for hosting and storage, Google for analytics, and Mediavine for Grow), when required by law, or to protect the site and its users.

5. Children

Bingo Card Maker Free is a tool for adults, including teachers and parents who make cards for children. It is not directed at children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect personal information from them. Please don't put children's personal details, like full names, in lists you save as short links. When students join a game, a first name or nickname is enough, and it's optional.

6. Your rights

Depending on where you live, including the EEA, the UK, and several US states and Canadian provinces, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete personal information, to object to or limit certain uses, and to withdraw consent. Because we don't have accounts, we hold very little that identifies you. To make a request, contact us. We may need a short link or other details to find the information you're asking about.

7. How long we keep information

• Short links: until deleted, or 400 days after they were last opened.
• Games with join links, including player names and card numbers: 48 hours after the last activity.
• Hashed abuse-prevention counts: about one day.
• Analytics data: according to the retention setting in our Google Analytics account.
• Settings in your browser: until you clear them.

8. Changes and contact

We'll update this policy when our practices change, such as before ads are added, and change the effective date above. Questions? Email bingo@bingocardmakerfree.com or visit our contact page.