sDoku Terms of Service

If you connect a Sapplify Account

If you sign in to sDoku with a Sapplify Account to use the league tables, the Sapplify Account Privacy Policy and Sapplify Account Terms of Service additionally apply to your use of account-related features (sign-in, your profile, and the byline shared across Sapplify apps).

1. Introduction

Welcome to sDoku! These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Anthony Eli Rasch - sapplify ("Company", "we", "us", or "our") governing your use of the sDoku mobile application ("App" or "Service").

sDoku is a local-first sudoku app printed like a vintage newspaper: one daily puzzle for every reader, an archive of graded puzzles, press cuttings you collect, and optional league tables. All core play happens locally on your device.

Company Information:
Anthony Eli Rasch - sapplify
PO Box 004
91501 Nove Mesto nad Vahom
Slovakia
ICO: 56665032
Email: contact@sapplify.com

2. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, accessing, or using sDoku, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference.

If you do not agree with any part of these Terms or our Privacy Policy, you must not download, install, or use sDoku.

These Terms apply to all users of sDoku, regardless of location or method of access. Your continued use of the App following any changes to these Terms constitutes acceptance of those changes.

3. Eligibility & Age Requirements

• Minimum age: Users must be at least 13 years old
• Higher age jurisdictions: In EU/EEA jurisdictions where a higher age (up to 16) is required for consent to data processing under GDPR Article 8, that higher age applies
• Sapplify Account: Signing in with a Sapplify Account to use the league tables requires you to meet the minimum age requirement in your jurisdiction

We do not knowingly collect personal data from individuals under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has been using sDoku, please see our Privacy Policy for data deletion instructions.

4. App Description

sDoku is a sudoku application that allows you to:

• Play the daily edition: One daily puzzle, the same grid for every reader, with difficulty that follows the week
• Solve from the archive: Fresh puzzles in four editions (Gentle, Tricky, Fiendish, Diabolical), each with exactly one solution
• Use a full solving kit: Pencil marks, cell-first or digit-first entry, proofreading, undo, and an optional editor's help
• Collect press cuttings: Achievements clipped from the paper, with a printing ladder for long-term goals
• File to the league tables (with a Press Pass): Choose a byline and rank your times and points against other subscribers
• Choose paper stocks: The Morning and Midnight editions are free; Sepia and Archival are subscriber stocks

Local-First by default: Your puzzles, progress, statistics, and cuttings are stored locally on your device. The only feature that transmits data about your play is the optional league tables, and only when you have signed in and hold a Press Pass; see the Privacy Policy.

App language: The app interface is currently available in English. Sign-in and account screens support 18 languages, matching your Sapplify Account.

5. League Tables & Byline Conduct

The league tables are an optional public leaderboard. Reading the tables is free; filing your own times requires signing in with a Sapplify Account and holding a Press Pass.

Your Byline

When you file, you choose a byline — a public display name shown next to your times. Bylines are not required to be unique. You are responsible for the byline you choose. You agree NOT to use a byline that:

• Is unlawful, harassing, hateful, obscene, or defamatory
• Impersonates another person, the publication, or its staff
• Contains another person's personal information
• Contains advertising, spam, or misleading content

Fair Play

The league tables are meant to rank genuine solves. You agree not to submit falsified times, automate solving, exploit the app, or otherwise manipulate the tables.

Our Moderation Rights

We may screen bylines and remove any byline or league entry that violates these Terms, and we may suspend league-table access for repeated or serious violations, with or without notice. Removing a byline or entry does not entitle you to a refund of any Press Pass, since the full game and your other features remain available.

6. The Press Counter

Free to Play

The core of sDoku — the daily puzzle, the archive, the full solving kit, statistics, and press cuttings — is free, with no time limit and no account required. There is no trial period; the free experience is fully usable for as long as you use the app.

Press Pass (Subscription)

A Press Pass subscription is a recurring purchase (offered monthly or yearly) that unlocks:

• Filing your times and points to the league tables
• The subscriber paper stocks (Sepia and Archival)

Subscriptions renew automatically at the end of each billing period unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends. You can manage or cancel a subscription in your Apple App Store or Google Play account settings. Cancellation stops future renewals; the pass remains active until the end of the paid period.

Patron Edition (One-Time)

The Patron edition is a one-time, non-consumable purchase granting the same unlocks as a subscription, held permanently, with no recurring billing.

Tips

The coffee, ink, and crate tips are optional, one-time gestures of support for the presses. They unlock no features and confer no additional rights.

Pricing

Prices are displayed in the App and may vary by region and currency.

Payment Processing & Refunds

All payments are processed exclusively through official app stores:

• Apple App Store (iOS)
• Google Play Store (Android)

We do not process payments directly or have access to your payment information. Refund requests must be submitted to the respective app store according to their refund policies:

• Apple: Request a refund
• Google Play: Request a refund

Right of Withdrawal (EU Users)

This waiver is required because digital content, once delivered and accessed, cannot be "returned" in the traditional sense. You confirm this waiver at the point of purchase.

7. Your Responsibilities

Acceptable Use

You agree to use sDoku only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree NOT to:

• Use the App for any illegal activities or purposes
• Attempt to reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or hack the App
• Use the App in ways that could damage, disable, or impair its functionality
• Interfere with or disrupt the integrity of the App or the league tables
• Automate solving or otherwise manipulate the league tables (see Section 5)

Your Byline and League Entries

You are solely responsible for the byline you choose and for the solves you file, as set out in Section 5.

Data Backups

You are responsible for your device. Since your game data is stored locally by default, we cannot recover lost progress, statistics, or cuttings if your device is lost or the app is uninstalled.

8. Your Data & Privacy

You own your data. Your progress, statistics, and cuttings belong to you.

Data Control

• Local storage by default: Your game data is stored on your device
• Data deletion: Uninstalling the App removes all local data. For server-side account and league data, delete your Sapplify Account from inside the app; see the Sapplify Account Privacy Policy §12
• No recovery of local data: Once you delete or lose local data, we cannot recover it

Local-First Architecture & Data Loss Disclaimer

You expressly acknowledge and accept that:

• Loss, theft, or damage to your device may result in permanent and irreversible loss of your local progress, statistics, and cuttings
• Uninstalling the App will permanently delete all local data
• We have no ability to recover, restore, or retrieve local-only data under any circumstances
• We are not liable for any data loss resulting from device loss, damage, theft, software issues, user error, or reinstalling the app

League solve records you have filed to your account are held on our servers and are not lost with your device, but they are not a backup of your local game data; they contain only the times and points you filed.

Privacy Policy

For complete details on data collection, processing, your rights, and our privacy practices, please review our Privacy Policy. The Privacy Policy is an integral part of these Terms.

9. App Availability

We strive to make sDoku available at all times, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access. The App may be temporarily unavailable due to:

• Scheduled or emergency maintenance
• Software updates or upgrades
• Technical issues with app stores (Apple, Google)
• Device or operating system compatibility issues
• Factors beyond our reasonable control

Offline Functionality

Since sDoku stores your game data locally, core functionality (the daily puzzle, the archive, the solving kit, statistics, and cuttings) remains available without an internet connection. Internet is only required for:

• Reading or filing to the league tables
• Sapplify Account sign-in (only if you sign in)
• Purchasing a Press Pass, the Patron edition, or a tip
• Submitting feedback
• Checking for app updates and opening external links

League Availability

The league tables depend on our servers and third-party services. We make no guarantee of their continuous availability. A hint-free solve of the daily edition is required to appear on today's table; the league windows and rankings may reflect server time.

No Uptime Guarantee

We make no guarantees regarding App availability, uptime, or performance. We are not liable for any damages resulting from App unavailability.

10. Updates and Changes

App Updates

We may release updates to sDoku to provide new features, bug fixes, security improvements, or performance enhancements. While we aim to maintain compatibility and data integrity, updates may:

• Enhance, modify, or remove existing features
• Change the user interface or user experience
• Adjust puzzle generation, grading, or the league tables
• Require newer device hardware or operating system versions

Automatic Updates

Depending on your device settings, updates may be installed automatically. We recommend keeping automatic updates enabled to ensure you have the latest security patches and features.

Discontinuation

We reserve the right to discontinue the App, the league tables, or any features at any time. If we discontinue the App entirely, we will make reasonable efforts to provide advance notice.

Digital Content Continuity (EU Compliance)

In accordance with EU Digital Content Directive (EU) 2019/770 and related consumer protection laws, for one-time purchases (the Patron edition) we commit that:

• Minimum conformity period: The App will remain functional and "in conformity" for a minimum of two (2) years from your date of purchase, subject to operating system compatibility
• Continued access: If we discontinue active development, Patron users will retain access to the last compatible version of the App for as long as it remains compatible with their device's operating system
• No forced obsolescence: We will not intentionally disable or degrade functionality for Patron users

For Press Pass subscription customers, the equivalent commitments are in the Sapplify Account Terms of Service. This commitment does not extend to compatibility issues caused by third-party operating system updates that are beyond our control, nor to the league tables, which depend on our servers remaining in operation.

11. Intellectual Property

Our Rights

sDoku, including but not limited to its design, user interface, code, puzzle generator and grader, graphics, icons, logos, and branding, is owned by Anthony Eli Rasch - sapplify and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

"sDoku", "Sapplify", and associated logos are trademarks of Anthony Eli Rasch - sapplify. You may not use these trademarks without our prior written permission.

License Grant

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to download, install, and use sDoku on devices you own or control, solely for your personal, non-commercial purposes.

Restrictions

You may not:

• Copy, modify, adapt, or create derivative works of the App
• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to derive the source code
• Remove, alter, or obscure any copyright, trademark, or proprietary notices
• Sell, rent, lease, sublicense, or transfer the App or your license
• Use the App for commercial purposes without our written consent
• Use automated systems or software to extract data from the App or the league tables

12. Disclaimers & Warranties

"As Is" Provision

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, SDOKU IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE.

Disclaimer of Warranties

We expressly disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to:

• Merchantability: Fitness for a particular purpose or use
• Availability: That the App or the league tables will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
• Results: That use of the App will meet your requirements or achieve any particular results
• Compatibility: That the App will be compatible with all devices or operating systems
• Data integrity: That your local game data will never be lost, corrupted, or inaccessible

Third-Party Services

We disclaim all liability for third-party services, including but not limited to app store platforms (Apple, Google) and device cloud backup services (iCloud, Google backup).

13. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

Exclusion of Damages

IN NO EVENT SHALL ANTHONY ELI RASCH - SAPPLIFY, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY:

• Indirect damages: Including incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Data loss: Loss of local progress, statistics, or cuttings due to any cause
• Device damage: Any damage to your device from using the App
• Lost opportunities: Lost time or other opportunity costs
• Third-party actions: Actions or omissions of third parties (app stores or cloud providers)

Liability Cap

IN ANY CASE, OUR TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF SDOKU SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF:

• THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US THROUGH THE PRESS COUNTER IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM (IF ANY), OR
• FIVE EUROS (€5.00)

This cap applies to claims arising from your use of the sDoku app itself. For claims arising from your Sapplify Account, the separate cap in the Sapplify Account Terms of Service applies.

Savings Clause (EU/Slovak Law)

Nothing in these Terms shall limit or exclude our liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by our negligence
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
• Gross negligence (hrubá nedbanlivosť) or intentional misconduct (úmyselné konanie)
• Any other liability that cannot be limited or excluded under the laws of the Slovak Republic or applicable EU consumer protection laws, including the Digital Content Directive (EU) 2019/770 as amended

This savings clause takes precedence over any other limitation of liability provision in these Terms to the extent required by mandatory law.

Essential Purpose

These limitations apply regardless of whether the remedy fails of its essential purpose and regardless of the theory of liability (contract, tort, strict liability, or otherwise).

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Anthony Eli Rasch - sapplify, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and licensors from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to:

• Your use or misuse of sDoku
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• The byline you choose or the entries you file to the league tables

We reserve the right to assume exclusive control of the defense of any matter subject to indemnification by you, in which case you agree to cooperate with our defense of such claim.

15. Termination

Termination by You

You may terminate these Terms at any time by uninstalling the App from your device and, if you created one, deleting your Sapplify Account.

Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend your access to sDoku, or to the league tables, immediately, without prior notice, if:

• You breach any provision of these Terms
• You engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
• You manipulate the league tables or use a violating byline
• We are required to do so by law
• We discontinue the App

Effects of Termination

Upon termination, your license to use sDoku is immediately revoked and you must cease all use of the App. Press Counter purchases are non-refundable upon termination for your breach.

Survival

The following sections survive termination: Intellectual Property, Disclaimers & Warranties, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, Governing Law & Disputes, and General Provisions.

16. Governing Law & Disputes

Governing Law

These Terms and any disputes arising from or related to them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Slovak Republic, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Jurisdiction

Any legal action or proceeding arising from these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the courts of the Slovak Republic. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

EU Consumer Rights

If you are a consumer in the European Union, you may also have rights under mandatory consumer protection laws in your country of residence. Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer that cannot be waived or limited by contract.

UK Users

If you are a consumer in the United Kingdom, you may bring legal proceedings in the courts of England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, depending on your residence.

Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal dispute proceedings, you agree to contact us at contact@sapplify.com to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will make reasonable efforts to resolve disputes within 30 days.

Alternative dispute resolution (Slovak Republic)

If you are a consumer and we cannot resolve a dispute informally, under Slovak Act 391/2015 on alternative dispute resolution you may submit it to the Slovak Trade Inspection (Slovenska obchodna inspekcia), the competent ADR body:

Slovenska obchodna inspekcia
Ustredny inspektorat SOI, odbor pre medzinarodne vztahy a alternativne riesenie spotrebitelskych sporov
Bajkalska 21/A, P.O. Box 29
827 99 Bratislava
Slovakia
Website: soi.sk

EU Online Dispute Resolution

If you are a consumer resident in the European Union, you may also use the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr. Participation in ODR is voluntary; we prefer to resolve disputes informally first.

17. General Provisions

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Anthony Eli Rasch - sapplify regarding sDoku and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, or if modification is not possible, severed from these Terms. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, epidemics, government actions, power failures, internet or telecommunications failures, or third-party service outages.

Third-Party Beneficiaries

Apple Inc. and Google LLC are limited third-party beneficiaries of these Terms for the sole purpose of enforcing them against you in relation to your purchase, use, and renewal of Press Counter products through the Apple App Store or Google Play respectively. No other person is a third-party beneficiary of these Terms.

Language

These Terms are written in English. If these Terms are translated into other languages for convenience, the English version shall prevail in case of any discrepancy.

18. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes:

• We will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this document
• We will post the updated Terms in the App and on our website
• For material changes, we may notify you through the App or require re-acceptance

Your Options

If you do not agree with modified Terms, you should stop using sDoku before the new Terms take effect and uninstall the App. Continued use of sDoku after the effective date of modified Terms constitutes your acceptance of those changes.

19. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

General Inquiries:
contact@sapplify.com

Legal & Terms Questions:
legal@sapplify.com

Privacy Inquiries:
privacy@sapplify.com

Postal Address:
Anthony Eli Rasch - sapplify
PO Box 004
91501 Nove Mesto nad Vahom
Slovakia

Response Time

We aim to respond to all inquiries within 30 days.

App Store Issues

For issues related to payments, refunds, or app downloads, please contact the respective app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) directly.