1. Controller
The controller responsible for data processing on this website is:
Henry Schilke
Dorfstr. 2
92331 Parsberg
Germany
Email: info@swetch.de
2. General information
Personal data is any information relating to an identified or identifiable person. This may also include technical identifiers such as IP addresses or similar online identifiers.
swetch.de is an independent linking and information service for time-limited free-game offers. No user accounts are created, orders processed or payments handled on swetch.de. The free-game email alert can be subscribed to optionally.
The public pages use only the technically necessary preference cookie swetch_language when you change the language manually.
It stores only de or en, is not used for analytics, advertising or user profiles and remains valid for no more than one year.
LocalStorage and SessionStorage are not used. The non-public admin area additionally uses a session cookie restricted to that area.
3. Hosting and server logs
This website is hosted by STRATO. According to current STRATO information, the provider is STRATO GmbH, Otto-Ostrowski-Straße 7, 10249 Berlin, Germany.
Technically necessary access data is processed when the website is visited. This may include:
- IP address of the accessing device,
- date and time of access,
- requested URL or file,
- amount of data transferred,
- HTTP status code,
- referrer URL, if sent by the browser,
- browser and operating-system information, if sent by the browser.
Processing is necessary to deliver and operate the website reliably and to protect it against abuse and attacks. The legal basis is Article 6(1)(f) GDPR.
According to STRATO, IP addresses in log files are stored for no more than seven days to detect and prevent attacks.
4. Click statistics and abuse prevention
When you open an offer link, Swetch counts one aggregate click for that game. This counter is used only as a rough usage statistic on the website.
To prevent the same user from increasing the counter repeatedly, Swetch stores a temporary technical lock. A hash is created from the IP address, game identifier and a secret server salt. Swetch does not store the IP address in plain text in the abuse-prevention file.
The stored data includes:
- game identifier, for example
steam_1180660, - aggregate click count per game,
- hashed technical lock identifier based on IP address, game identifier and salt,
- time of the last counted click.
The purpose is abuse prevention and accurate aggregate click statistics. The legal basis is Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. By default, the technical lock identifier is retained for the current season or up to 60 days unless a different period is configured on the server.
5. Local image cache
Where possible, Swetch downloads cover images during import, resizes them and stores them locally on the server. These local preview images are preferred during normal page views.
If no local cover is available, an external image source from the respective store may be loaded. Screenshots and trailer media may also load directly from providers or their content networks when game information is opened or a trailer starts. Your IP address may then be transmitted to that provider.
6. External store and affiliate links
When you follow a store link or open a store app, you leave swetch.de. The privacy policy and terms of the respective provider then apply, especially those of Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG or Amazon Luna/Prime Gaming.
Swetch has no control over which data these providers process after you leave this website.
Individual links, especially Amazon or Prime offers, may be marked as affiliate links. If you complete a transaction or purchase through such a link, Swetch may receive a commission. This does not make the offer more expensive for you. Redirection occurs only after your deliberate click; Swetch does not load external advertising trackers, pixels or embedded Amazon widgets.
7. Free-game alert / newsletter
When you subscribe to the free-game alert, Swetch processes your email address to send a confirmation message and, after confirmation, alerts about genuinely new free games. The subscription becomes active only after you follow the confirmation link (double opt-in).
The email address is stored in encrypted form. A HMAC hash of the address, subscription status, times of signup, confirmation, delivery and unsubscribe, and technically necessary hashed identifiers for abuse prevention and delivery limits are also stored. Confirmation tokens are stored only as hashes.
The legal basis for newsletter delivery is your consent under Article 6(1)(a) GDPR. Technical abuse prevention is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. Every newsletter contains an unsubscribe link. No further newsletters are sent after unsubscribing.
8. No analytics or advertising trackers
Swetch currently uses:
- no Google Analytics,
- no Matomo,
- no advertising trackers,
- no social-media pixels,
- no user accounts or login function.
Editorially selected and clearly marked affiliate links are not behavioural advertising. No connection to the respective partner is established unless you follow such a link.
9. Retention periods
According to the hosting provider, server log files are retained only for a limited period. Click counts are stored only as aggregate statistics. The technical click lock is retained for the current season or up to 60 days unless the server configuration specifies another period.
Newsletter data is stored while the subscription is active or while legal evidence and retention duties apply. Unconfirmed signups and technical delivery attempts are retained only as long as required for security and abuse prevention.
10. Legal bases
Technically necessary data is generally processed under Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. The legitimate interest is the secure, stable operation of the website with minimal abuse.
11. Your rights
Subject to the legal requirements, you have rights including access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability and objection to certain processing.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data-protection authority, generally at your place of residence, workplace or the place of the alleged infringement.
12. Contact
For privacy questions, contact the controller at: info@swetch.de
13. Changes to this privacy policy
This privacy policy may be updated if swetch.de features or legal requirements change. The current version date is shown at the top of this page.