Privacy & Community Policy

1. About Us & Our Commitment

Welcome to Opsters eSports (https://opsterseSports.co.uk)! We are a global eSports and gaming community. Our website offers clan and eSports team information, events, community news, and access to our official merchandise store. We are committed to protecting your privacy and fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members.

2. Age Policy

Opsters eSports is a family-friendly community with no age restrictions for general participation. Everyone is welcome to join, participate, and enjoy our spaces in a respectful manner. However, if specific services, games, or events (e.g., certain game tournaments) have age ratings or restrictions imposed by game developers or external platforms, those specific restrictions will apply and will be communicated.

3. Community Guidelines

To ensure a positive experience for everyone, all members and users of Opsters eSports platforms (including our website, Discord server, and social media channels) must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Respect and Inclusivity: Treat all members with respect, fairness, and inclusivity, regardless of skill level, background, identity, or whether they are casual or competitive players.
• Appropriate Conduct: Keep all content, language, and behavior appropriate for a diverse, all-ages audience.
• Zero Tolerance: Bullying, harassment, hate speech, discriminatory remarks, cheating, or any form of abuse will not be tolerated.
• Content Permissions: Obtain permission from original creators before using or sharing their graphics, artwork, media, or other original content. Attribute content appropriately where required.
• Safety: Do not share personal information of others without their explicit consent. Be mindful of your own privacy.

Violations of these guidelines may result in warnings, temporary suspension, or permanent removal from our community platforms and services, at the discretion of Opsters eSports administration.

4. Information We Collect

Our primary method for collecting personal data is through Google Forms, which we use for tournament registrations, team applications, community feedback, and similar activities.

4.1. Types of Data Collected:

The types of information we may collect include, but are not limited to:

• Discord usernames
• Gamer tags / In-game player names
• Country / Nationality (for regional events, team composition, or demographic understanding)
• eSports experience, past clans, or relevant in-game statistics (primarily for team applications)
• Email addresses (optional, or if required for specific communications like prize distribution)

Providing real names and extensive personal details is generally optional unless explicitly stated as required for a specific purpose and with your clear consent. We aim to collect only the minimum information necessary.

5. How We Use Your Information

Your personal data is used for the following purposes:

• To manage your participation in tournaments, events, or team activities.
• For team selection, rostering, and management.
• To communicate with you regarding your involvement with Opsters eSports.
• To gather feedback for improving our community and services.
• To maintain a safe and respectful community environment.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We will not share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

6. Data Storage, Security, and Retention

6.1. Storage and Security:

Form responses and any collected data are securely stored within Opsters eSports's designated Google Workspace (G Suite) account. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures (such as access controls and data encryption where feasible) to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Access to this data is restricted to authorized Opsters eSports personnel who need it to perform their duties.

6.2. Data Retention:

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements, or to resolve disputes. When your data is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or anonymized.

7. Lawful Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For individuals in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK, we process your personal data based on the following lawful bases under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR:

• Consent: When you voluntarily provide your information via Google Forms for specific purposes (e.g., tournament sign-ups, team applications, feedback), you consent to our processing of that data for those stated purposes. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
• Legitimate Interests: We may process some data based on our legitimate interests in managing and operating our eSports community, organizing events, ensuring security, and improving our services, provided these interests are not overridden by your fundamental rights and freedoms.
• Contractual Necessity: If you enter into an agreement with us (e.g., as a contracted player or staff member), we may process your data as necessary to fulfill that contract.

8. Your Data Subject Rights (GDPR)

If GDPR or UK GDPR applies to you, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
• Right to Erasure ('Right to be Forgotten'): You can request the deletion of your personal data under certain conditions.
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit the processing of your personal data under certain conditions.
• Right to Data Portability: You can request to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, and have the right to transmit that data to another controller where feasible.
• Right to Object: You can object to the processing of your personal data based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on your consent to process data, you can withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in Section 10.

9. International Data Transfers

Data collected via Google Forms is processed and stored by Google. Google adheres to GDPR compliance standards and utilizes mechanisms such as Standard Contractual Clauses for the lawful transfer of data internationally. By submitting your data through these forms, you acknowledge that your information may be processed on servers located in countries where Google operates, which may be outside your country of residence but will be protected in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies (small text files stored on your device) and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience, analyze site traffic (e.g., via Google Analytics if implemented), and for the functionality of embedded services (like Google Ads). You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. For detailed information, please refer to a separate Cookie Policy if available, or contact us.

Google Ads: We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our website. Google uses cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to our website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to our users based on their visit to our sites and/or other sites on the Internet. Users may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Ads Settings.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy & Community Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy & Community Policy, your personal data, wish to exercise any of your data subject rights, or have concerns about community conduct, please contact Opsters eSports administrators:

• Via our official Discord server (preferred for general community inquiries and swift responses).
• By email: opstersempire@gmail.com (for formal requests, data inquiries, or privacy-specific matters).

If you are subject to GDPR or UK GDPR, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, such as the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in the UK, if you believe our processing of your personal data infringes applicable data protection law.