TCGScout (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates the website at https://thetcgscout.com (the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you use the Site, how we use it, and the choices you have. We’ve tried to keep it plain-spoken. If anything is unclear, email us at contact@thetcgscout.com.

TCGScout is a free, informational Pokémon TCG product guide. We do not sell products, and accounts are entirely optional — every page works without one. If you choose to sign in (email-only, no password), we store the account data described below. We use analytics to understand how the Site is used; our analytics partner uses cookies. You can control non-essential cookies via the cookie banner or your browser settings. We do not show ads.

Information you provide. When you submit the contact form or a “report missing or inaccurate info” form, we collect the message you write and, if you choose to provide it, your email address (so we can reply or send a confirmation). Providing an email is optional.

Optional account data. If you create an account, we store your email address (used to send sign-in links and, if you keep them enabled, price alerts, new-release alerts, and a weekly digest — every notification can be turned off on your account page) together with the data that powers account features: your username, profile color, and leaderboard-visibility setting; your watchlist and price-alert targets; your simulated pack-opening log; and your email-notification preferences. Simulator results you submit to the public leaderboard are stored with your account id, but your username only appears publicly if you’ve turned “show my username on leaderboards” on — otherwise entries show as “anon”.

Information collected automatically. Like most websites, we and our service providers automatically collect certain technical information when you visit, such as your browser type, device type, referring pages, and pages viewed. We record aggregate page-view counts to power features like “trending” products. To prevent spam and abuse of our feedback forms and the simulator leaderboard, we store a one-way hashed (irreversible) version of your IP address for short-term rate-limiting; we do not store your raw IP address for this purpose.

Cookies and similar technologies. Cookies are small files stored on your device. We and our analytics provider use them for essential site function and to measure traffic. We also use your browser’s local storage to keep device-local features (your watchlist before sign-in, recently-viewed items, compare selections) on your device — that data stays in your browser unless you sign in and sync it. See “Cookies” below for details and your choices.

We use the information described above to operate and improve the Site, respond to your messages, keep the Site secure and free of spam, and understand which content is useful.

We use two broad categories of cookies and similar technologies:

We do not show ads or use advertising cookies. Most browsers let you refuse or delete cookies through their settings. Blocking some cookies may affect how parts of the Site work.

We rely on reputable third parties to run the Site. Each has its own privacy practices:

Depending on where you live (for example, under the EU/UK GDPR or the California CCPA/CPRA), you may have rights to access, correct, or delete personal information we hold about you, or to object to certain processing. Accounts are optional, so without one we hold very little information tied to you. If you have an account, you can manage your profile, notification settings, and pack-opening log from your account page, and you can email contact@thetcgscout.com to have your account and all data tied to it deleted. For any other request, email us and we’ll respond as required by applicable law.

Consent for EEA/UK visitors. Where required, we ask for your consent before using non-essential (analytics) cookies, and you can withdraw consent at any time using the cookie banner or your browser settings.

We keep feedback submissions for as long as needed to address them and maintain records of site quality. Aggregate analytics and view counts are retained in de-identified form. Hashed IP values used for rate-limiting are short-lived. Account data (profile, watchlist, alerts, pack-opening log) is kept until you delete it or ask us to delete your account. Leaderboard entries are retained so historical boards keep working; entries from deleted accounts become permanently anonymous.

The Site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we’ll delete it.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we’ll revise the “Last updated” date above. Material changes will be reflected on this page.

Questions about this policy or your information? Email contact@thetcgscout.com or use our contact form. See also our Terms & Disclaimer.