Last updated: 1 July 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Helixx Consulting, LLC ("we," "us," "the Society") collects, uses, and shares information when you use The Lantern Society web application at lanternsociety.net and any related pages (the "App"). It does not cover third-party services with their own policies (for example, the r/lanternsociety subreddit, which is governed by Reddit's policies). By using the App you agree to this Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the App.
1. Children's privacy (please read first)
The App is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. When you create an account we ask you to confirm you are at least 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us at contact@lanternsociety.net.
Because the App uses precise location and camera access, we take extra care with younger users.
2. Information we collect
You provide:
- Account info: your email address (used for sign-in via one-time code) and your chosen Agent name.
- User content: Field Reports, images or drawings you upload, books, and other content you submit.
Collected automatically through gameplay (with your permission):
- Precise location (GPS): to place nearby entities and to register "walking the watch." Your live location is sent to our server while the radar is active so we can show the entities near you; this live position is used only momentarily to answer that request and is not stored. We do not store the location of your captures or any record of where you have been. "Walking the watch" records only the total distance walked, not your route or coordinates.
- Device motion and orientation: to point the radar and the Capture Lens.
- Camera: the Capture Lens uses your device camera to render the augmented-reality view. The live camera feed is processed on your device and is not uploaded or stored. Separately, if you choose to attach images to a Field Report, those images are uploaded to and stored in our file storage. We do not use the camera for facial recognition or any biometric identification.
- Gameplay data: captures, your Bestiary, Standing, Marks, and similar progress data.
- Technical and usage data: device and browser type, app version, and basic logs needed to operate and secure the service.
We do not knowingly collect biometric identifiers or government-issued identifiers.
3. How we use information
- To operate the game: show nearby entities, run the radar and Lens, record captures and Standing.
- To create and secure your account and sync your progress across devices.
- To display and moderate user content you submit.
- To maintain, debug, secure, and improve the App.
- To communicate with you about the service (for example, sign-in codes).
- To comply with law and enforce our Terms.
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for third-party advertising.
4. How we share information
- Service providers that run the App on our behalf, under contract: Supabase (authentication, database, and file storage), HostGator (web hosting), Resend (delivery of sign-in codes by email), and GitHub (private, access-controlled repository storage, including operational database backups that contain account and gameplay records).
- Legal and safety: when required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of users or the public.
- Business transfers: if the App is acquired or merged, subject to this Policy.
We do not disclose personal information to advertisers or data brokers.
5. Your choices and rights
- Permissions: you can grant or deny location, motion, and camera permissions in your device or browser settings. Denying them limits the related features but you can still use the rest of the App.
- Access, correction, deletion: you may request a copy of your data, correct it, or delete your account and associated data by contacting contact@lanternsociety.net or using in-app controls where available (Settings includes a "Reset all progress" control).
- Regional rights: depending on where you live (for example, the EEA or UK under GDPR, or California under the CCPA/CPRA), you may have additional rights such as access, deletion, portability, and the right to object. We honour applicable rights; contact contact@lanternsociety.net. We do not "sell" or "share" personal information as those terms are defined under California law.
6. Data retention and deletion
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described here or as required by law, and then delete or de-identify it securely. You can delete your account at any time. Disaster recovery backup copies (see section 4) are kept in private, access-controlled storage and rotate on a rolling basis; data deleted from the live service leaves the backups as those copies rotate out.
7. Security
We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information, including access controls, encryption in transit, and row-level database security. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure.
8. International users
The App is operated from the United States and your information may be processed there and wherever our service providers operate. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for cross-border transfers.
9. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy. We will post the new version with an updated "Last updated" date and, where appropriate, notify you in the App.
10. Contact
Helixx Consulting, LLC
contact@lanternsociety.net
(Mailing address available on written request, where required by law.)
