The Tock Show — Privacy Policy

Last updated: November 9, 2026

This policy covers The Tock Show app for iPhone and The Tock Show website (together, "The Tock Show"), made by StepX LLC ("StepX," "we," "us"). The Tock Show is a speaking game: you argue, question and practise out loud (or by typing) with cartoon characters played by AI. Unlike our other games, it uses online AI services and an account database to work, so this page explains exactly what that involves. Our general StepX privacy policy also applies.

1. Who we are

StepX LLC, 9164 NW 39th Street, Coral Springs, FL 33065, United States. Contact: [email protected].

2. What we collect and why

2.1 Your voice and what you say

Microphone. When you choose to speak in a game or lesson, the app listens only during your turn. Your speech is turned into text by your device's own speech recognition (Apple's Speech framework on iPhone, or your browser's speech recognition on the website; Apple or your browser maker may process it under their own privacy policies). We never receive, store or send your audio. Only the resulting text is used by the game.
Character voices are spoken by your device's built-in voices, or are pre-recorded clips. No audio is created from your information.
The text of your turns (what you said or typed), the characters' replies, and your results are stored with your game history so you can see your results, track your progress and replay past episodes.
You can always type instead of speaking.

2.2 AI processing

To make the characters reply, judge debates and give feedback, the text of your turns and of the game is sent to AI models from Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI (ChatGPT) and Google (Gemini) through the OpenRouter service. We send game text only: never your name, email address, account details or audio. These providers process the text to return a response under their API terms. AI-generated replies can sometimes be wrong or unexpected; you can report any reply in the app.

2.3 Your account (optional)

You can play without an account. The app then uses a random ID stored on your device.
If you sign in with Apple (or Google on the website), our sign-in provider Supabase receives your email address (Apple lets you hide it) and, if you share it, your name. We use these only to keep your progress across devices and show your name in the app.

2.4 Topics you write

If you type your own debate topic, it is checked automatically for safety. Topics that several different players choose may be shown to other players under "Popular right now". Only the topic text is shown, never who wrote it.

2.5 Purchases

The Tock Show Pro is an auto-renewing subscription sold by Apple. Apple handles payment; we never see your card. We receive Apple's signed transaction details (product, dates, a transaction ID) to turn Pro on for your account.

2.6 Usage and progress

We store game events such as which episodes you played, lesson progress, scores, streaks and daily usage counts, to run the game, enforce daily limits, improve lessons and keep costs under control. We do not sell your information.

2.7 Advertising

The free version of the iPhone app shows ads from Google AdMob (never during a game; Pro removes them). We request non-personalized ads only, and we do not track you across other companies' apps or websites. AdMob may still use device information such as IP address, approximate location and ad interactions to show ads, limit how often you see them and prevent fraud. Where required (for example in the EEA/UK), we ask for consent through Google's consent message. See how Google uses information from apps that use its services. We never share what you say or type in the game with advertisers.

3. Where it is stored

Game data is stored in our database (Supabase, hosted in the United States). Information sent to AI providers is processed on their servers, which may be outside your country.

4. How long we keep it

Audio: never received or kept by us.
Game history, transcripts of your turns and progress: kept until you delete your account, or for up to 24 months after your last visit if you play as a guest.
Purchase records: as long as required for tax and accounting.

5. Deleting your data

In the app, go to Me → Delete my account. This erases your account, game history, transcripts and progress from our systems. You can also email us to delete guest data.

6. Children

The Tock Show is for ages 13 and up. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has used it, contact us and we will delete the data.

7. Your rights

Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR in the EEA/UK or the CCPA/CPRA in California), you may have the right to access, correct, delete or export your information, and to object to certain processing. Email [email protected] and we will respond within 30 days.

8. Security

All connections are encrypted (HTTPS). Access to the database is limited to our game backend. No method is perfectly secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information.

9. Changes

We will update this page if anything changes and change the date above.

10. Contact

Questions: [email protected].