Privacy & Cookie Policy

Last updated: 18 April 2026

The Carbon Pricing Simulation Game is a personal, non-commercial educational project run by Genevieve Shanahan. This policy explains what data is collected when you use the site and how it is handled.

1. What this site collects

1.1 Analytics (Google Analytics 4)

With your consent, this site uses Google Analytics 4 (property G-NJJES76EWQ) to understand how the game is used. GA4 collects:

• Pages visited, time on page, and general navigation flow
• Approximate location (country / region, derived from IP address — your full IP is not stored)
• Device type, browser, and operating system
• Referral source (how you arrived at the site)

This data is aggregated and anonymous. It is used solely to understand visitor numbers and improve the game. Google's processing of Analytics data is governed by the Google Privacy Policy.

1.2 Consent management (Secure Privacy)

The site uses Secure Privacy to present the cookie consent banner you see on your first visit. Secure Privacy stores a small cookie to remember your consent choice so the banner is not shown again. See Secure Privacy's own privacy policy.

1.3 Facilitated game mode (Firebase)

If a facilitator creates a multiplayer game room, the site uses Google Firebase Realtime Database to synchronise game state across devices in real time. The data stored for each room includes:

• Room code and creation timestamp
• Game configuration (number of firms, rounds, regime settings)
• In-game production decisions submitted by each firm
• Free-text debrief proposals submitted by each firm
• Clean-technology claims
• Connection status (whether a device is currently connected)

No personal information is collected. Players are identified only by a firm number (e.g. "Firm 1"). No names, email addresses, or accounts are required.

Room data is deleted by the facilitator at the end of each session. Any data that remains in the database is periodically purged.

1.4 Solo mode

Solo mode runs entirely in your browser. It does not contact Firebase or any server. A single localStorage key (solo.playerProposals) stores your debrief notes so they survive a page refresh; this data never leaves your device.

2. Cookies and local storage

You can withdraw or change your cookie consent at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in the consent banner, or by clearing your browser's cookies for this site.

3. Legal basis

Analytics cookies are set only with your consent (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(a)). The Secure Privacy consent cookie and the localStorage key in solo mode are strictly necessary for the site to function and do not require consent.

4. Third-party services

• GitHub Pages — hosts the site. GitHub Privacy Statement
• Google Analytics 4 — analytics. Google Privacy Policy
• Google Firebase — real-time game sync (facilitated mode only). Firebase Privacy and Security
• Secure Privacy — consent management. Secure Privacy Privacy Policy

5. Data retention

Google Analytics data is retained for 14 months (the GA4 default). Firebase game-room data is deleted at session end by the facilitator; any residual data is periodically purged. No long-term personal data is held.

6. Your rights

Under the UK GDPR you have the right to access, rectify, or erase any personal data held about you, and to withdraw consent at any time. Because this site collects only anonymous, aggregated analytics and non-personal game data, there is unlikely to be any personal data to retrieve — but you are welcome to contact me to ask.

7. Children

This site is designed for higher-education students and educators. It does not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13.

8. Changes to this policy

Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date.

9. Contact

If you have any questions about this policy, please open an issue on GitHub.