At Mountain Interactive, we prioritize the privacy and security of all our users, especially children and teens who are part of our gaming community. We recognize that online privacy is a major concern for parents, and we are committed to providing transparency about how we handle data and the tools we offer to protect it. This guide will help you understand the privacy policies and measures we have in place to ensure a safe online environment for your child, as well as the steps you can take to enhance privacy and control data.
1. What Data Does Mountain Interactive Collect?
To deliver the best possible gaming experience, Mountain Interactive collects certain types of data. However, we take steps to ensure that this data is gathered responsibly and with user privacy in mind. Below are the main categories of data we collect:
Account Information: When creating an account, users provide basic information such as username, email address, and in some cases, billing information for purchases. This allows us to identify users, process payments, and communicate important updates.
In-Game Data: To enhance gameplay, we collect data about a player’s in-game activities, such as time spent playing, achievements, and interactions with other players. This data helps us improve game performance, address bugs, and personalize the gaming experience.
Device and Connection Information: We may collect technical data about the device and internet connection used to access Mountain Interactive, such as IP address, browser type, and operating system. This data helps us ensure the platform runs smoothly and securely.
Communication Logs: In-game chat logs and forum posts are monitored to ensure compliance with our community guidelines. These logs are only reviewed when necessary (e.g., in the case of a report of inappropriate behavior) and are otherwise kept private.
2. How We Protect Your Child’s Data
We take multiple steps to ensure that all user data, especially that of our younger players, is securely stored and handled. Our key data protection measures include:
Encryption: All sensitive data, including personal information and payment details, is encrypted. This ensures that the data is secure both in transit and when stored on our servers.
Access Control: Only authorized Mountain Interactive employees who have signed strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) have access to personal data. These employees are trained in data security and privacy practices to ensure they handle data responsibly.
Regular Security Audits: We conduct regular security audits and vulnerability tests to identify and address potential risks. These audits ensure that our platform remains secure and that any issues are promptly resolved.
Privacy by Design: Privacy is integrated into the design of all our games and services. From account creation to game interactions, we minimize the amount of data collected and give players control over their information.
3. How Parents Can Monitor and Manage Data
As a parent, you have several tools available to manage and monitor your child’s data on Mountain Interactive:
Account Settings: Parents can review and adjust their child’s account settings, including privacy preferences, communication options, and personal information. By going to the Security and Privacy tab in account settings, you can control who can interact with your child and what information is visible.
Requesting Personal Data: Parents can request a copy of all personal data that we have stored about their child by using the Request PII (Personally Identifiable Information) Data option in the privacy settings. This report will show what data we have collected and how it’s being used.
Data Deletion: If you would like to delete your child’s account and associated data, you can request this through our support team. We comply with all legal requirements, such as COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act), and will ensure that all personal data is fully erased upon request.
4. Managing Communication and Privacy Controls
Mountain Interactive offers several privacy controls to help parents manage who can communicate with their child and what information is shared. Here’s how you can enhance privacy for your child:
Controlling Online Status: You can choose whether your child’s online status is visible to other players. By setting this to Invisible, your child can play without other users knowing they’re online, reducing the risk of unwanted interactions.
Message Requests: You can enable message requests, which means that any direct message from a new or unapproved player will need to be reviewed and approved before your child can respond.
Restricting Friend Requests: In the Security and Privacy settings, you can adjust who can send friend requests to your child. Options include allowing only friends of friends, or restricting requests to players who are already part of the same in-game group or server.
5. Understanding Data Use in In-Game Purchases
Mountain Interactive offers in-game purchases through its various subscription tiers (Gold VIP, Platinum VIP, Titanium VIP) and marketplace items. While these purchases require collecting payment details, here’s what you need to know about how we protect that information:
Secure Payment Processing: All transactions are processed through secure, third-party payment processors that comply with industry standards for payment security (e.g., PCI DSS compliance). We do not store sensitive payment information directly.
Purchase Notifications: You can opt to receive purchase notifications via email for any transactions made on your child’s account. This allows you to monitor in-game spending and ensure that no unauthorized purchases are made.
Parental Controls on Spending: You can enable spending limits or require parental approval before any in-game purchase is completed. This gives you peace of mind knowing that your child won’t accidentally overspend.
6. Data Privacy for Younger Users (Under 13)
Mountain Interactive is committed to complying with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which outlines how personal information of children under the age of 13 should be handled. For users under 13, we take the following steps:
Parental Consent: Before any personal information is collected from a user under 13, we obtain verifiable parental consent. This ensures that parents are aware of and have control over the data being collected.
Limited Data Collection: For users under 13, we minimize the amount of data collected. This means no unnecessary information is gathered, and all interactions are closely monitored for safety.
Privacy by Default: For younger users, we set strict privacy settings by default. This includes limiting who can interact with them, hiding their online status, and disabling certain in-game features that may expose personal information.
7. Responding to Data Breaches and Security Incidents
While we work diligently to prevent data breaches, it’s important to know how we respond if an incident occurs. In the event of a data breach, Mountain Interactive will:
Notify Affected Users: We will promptly notify all affected users, explaining what data was compromised and what steps they can take to protect themselves.
Take Immediate Action: We will work with cybersecurity experts to identify the breach, contain the issue, and take immediate steps to secure our platform and prevent further damage.
Provide Guidance: For users affected by the breach, we will provide clear instructions on how to secure their accounts, including changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and monitoring for unusual activity.
8. Open Communication About Privacy
We encourage parents to have open discussions with their children about online privacy and security. Helping your child understand the importance of safeguarding personal information and making smart decisions online can greatly enhance their safety.
Here are some tips for talking to your child about privacy:
Explain why privacy matters: Let your child know that certain information, like their real name, address, or school, should never be shared with strangers online.
Review privacy settings together: Go through the account privacy settings with your child and explain what each option does. Help them choose settings that are appropriate for their age and comfort level.
Encourage reporting: Teach your child to report any suspicious behavior, such as someone asking for personal information or making them uncomfortable.
Final Thoughts
At Mountain Interactive, protecting your child’s privacy and personal data is one of our top priorities. With a combination of secure technology, transparent policies, and parental tools, we aim to provide a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for all users.
By using the privacy controls available and having open conversations about data security, parents can help ensure their child’s gaming experience is both fun and safe.
For more information about our data protection policies or to get help with managing your child’s account, please contact our Customer Support Team at [email protected].