Privacy Policy
Last updated: July 19, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how What Year Was? (“we”, “our”, or “the website”) collects, uses and protects information when you visit whatyearwas.com.
1. Information We Collect
What Year Was? does not currently require users to create an account or provide their name.
When you play the game, we may process limited technical and gameplay information, including:
• Daily game identifier
• Submitted guesses and scores
• Completion status
• Approximate completion time
• Anonymous browser or session identifier
• Basic technical information such as browser type, device type and IP address
This information is used to operate the game, calculate daily statistics and percentiles, prevent abuse, and improve the website.
2. Local Storage
The game may use browser local storage to remember:
• Completed games
• Previous scores
• Archive completion checkmarks
• Current game progress
• Basic game preferences
Local storage remains on your device unless you clear your browser data.
3. Cookies
The website and its service providers may use cookies or similar technologies to:
• Keep the website working correctly
• Remember preferences
• Measure website traffic
• Understand how visitors use the game
• Display and measure advertising
You may be able to control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Where legally required, visitors will be asked for consent before optional advertising or analytics cookies are used.
4. Advertising
We may use Google AdSense to display advertisements.
Google and its advertising partners may use cookies, device identifiers or similar technologies to display, personalize and measure advertisements.
Advertising may be based on information such as your general location, device, browser activity and previous interactions with websites or advertisements.
You can learn more about how Google uses information from websites that use its services by visiting Google’s Privacy & Terms information pages and Google Ads Settings.
5. Analytics
We may use services such as Google Analytics or WordPress.com statistics to understand website traffic and improve the game.
These services may collect information such as:
• Pages visited
• Time spent on the website
• Approximate location
• Browser and device type
• Referring website
• Interaction with website features
Where required by law, analytics will only be enabled after appropriate consent.
6. WordPress.com Hosting
What Year Was? is hosted using WordPress.com services operated by Automattic.
WordPress.com may process technical information, security logs, cookies and website traffic data as part of hosting, protecting and operating the website.
7. Wikimedia Content
Historical information and images may be obtained from Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons.
Requests for this content may involve communication with Wikimedia services. Images are used according to their individual licensing and attribution requirements.
8. Payment and Support Links
The website may provide links that allow visitors to support the project through third-party services such as PayPal or Revolut.
Payments are processed directly by the selected payment provider. What Year Was? does not receive or store your full payment card or bank account details.
The payment provider’s own privacy policy applies when you use its service.
9. Data Sharing
We do not sell personal information.
Information may be processed by service providers necessary to operate the website, including:
• WordPress.com and Automattic
• Google services, including AdSense and Analytics
• Wikimedia services
• Payment providers selected by the visitor
• Security and anti-spam providers
Information may also be disclosed where required by law or necessary to protect the website and its users.
10. Data Retention
Anonymous gameplay results may be retained to calculate historical statistics and improve the game.
Browser-based progress and archive information remain on your device until you clear your browser data.
Technical logs may be retained by hosting, analytics and security providers according to their own retention policies.
11. Your Choices and Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights concerning your personal information, including the right to request access, correction or deletion.
You may also:
• Clear cookies and local storage in your browser
• Adjust advertising preferences through Google Ads Settings
• Reject optional cookies through the website’s consent controls
• Contact us with a privacy request
12. Children’s Privacy
What Year Was? is a general-audience history game and is not specifically directed at children under the age required to consent to data processing in their country.
We do not knowingly request personal information from children.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when the website, advertising services or legal requirements change.
The latest version will always be published on this page with the updated date shown above.
14. Contact
For privacy questions or requests, contact:
danololik@gmail.com
Website: