Privacy notice

Your realms stay on your device

REALMS stores your realms, writing, notes, maps, images, connections, and preferences locally on your Windows device. The app does not require an account and has no built-in cloud synchronisation, advertising, analytics, or telemetry service. It does not automatically send your realm content to Thomas Hawkins.

You choose whether to create a backup, shareable realm file, readable export, or diagnostic report and where to save it. A shared realm or full backup can contain your private notes and images. These files and the app's local realm data are not encrypted by REALMS, so protect them using your device and storage security settings. If you send a file through another service, that service's privacy terms apply.

Local error diagnostics

When something goes wrong, REALMS can keep a limited technical history on your device: a random support reference, time, affected operation, broad error category, and safe error code. It retains up to 100 entries. This history is designed not to include realm names, writing, images, file paths, or error messages. It is not sent to us automatically. You can view its status, save a report, or clear the history in Preferences.

When you contact us

If you email us, we receive your email address, message, and anything you choose to attach. We use that information to answer your enquiry, investigate a problem, and keep a reasonable record of the support provided. Please do not send a full realm or private material unless it is necessary and you are comfortable sharing it.

We use an email provider to handle correspondence. Support information may be processed outside the United Kingdom under that provider's data-protection arrangements. We keep correspondence only as long as reasonably needed for support, related records, or legal obligations, then delete it. Under UK data-protection law, this processing is generally necessary to respond to a customer request or support our legitimate interest in resolving product issues; some records may be retained where required by law.

Microsoft Store purchases

Microsoft operates the Store, including checkout, payment, licensing, downloads, and refunds under its own privacy notice. We do not receive your full payment-card details. Microsoft may provide us with limited sales or transaction information needed for customer support, accounting, and legal compliance. We retain those business records for the period required by applicable law.

Your choices and rights

You control the realms and exports stored on your device; use REALMS and Windows to manage or delete your local files. You can clear local diagnostic history in the app. To ask about personal information you have sent us, including requesting access, correction, or deletion where applicable, email thomasandrewhawkins@gmail.com. Your rights depend on the circumstances and any legal retention requirements. You can also raise a concern with the UK Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.

Changes to this notice

We may update this notice if REALMS or our support practices change. The date above shows when it was last updated. Material changes to how the app handles information will be reflected here before they take effect.