Last updated: 19 July 2026
ThousandWorlds Explorer is a free, educational tool for exploring discovered exoplanets and simulated climates. This policy explains what we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. In short: we collect as little as possible, and nothing at all until you choose to sign in.
You can use the entire explorer — the maps, the charts, the Imagine Lab, and the in-browser climate emulator — without an account and without telling us who you are. Accounts are optional, only for saving and sharing the worlds you build.
To know whether the site works and which parts people use, we record a few anonymous, first-party usage events in our own database: a page view when you arrive, which tab you switch to, and any client-side error the app hits. These events carry a random session id that disappears when you close the tab — no name, no email, no IP address, no fingerprint. If your browser sends a "Do Not Track" or Global Privacy Control signal, we skip these.
We also use Google Analytics (GA4) to understand aggregate site usage — visit counts, pages, rough geography. Google Analytics sets its own cookies and processes data under Google's privacy policy. We use it for aggregate statistics only, never to identify you.
You sign in either with a one-time magic link emailed to you, or with Google. If you use Google, we receive only your email address and basic profile information from Google — never your Google password. We use Supabase Auth to handle sign-in securely.
Your account and saved worlds are stored using Supabase (a managed Postgres database and authentication provider) on our behalf. Access is protected by row-level security so that, by default, you can only see your own data.
If you sign in, we store a session token in your browser's local storage so you stay signed in between visits. We also remember small interface preferences locally. Google Analytics sets its own cookies (such as _ga) to measure aggregate usage. We do not use advertising cookies.
You can ask us to delete your account and everything associated with it at any time. Contact us (below) and we'll remove your data promptly.
ThousandWorlds Explorer is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information.
We may update this policy as the project evolves. Any changes will be reflected here, with the date above updated accordingly.
Questions, or a data request? Reach the maintainers through the project's repository: github.com/hamza-ali-shahjahan/thousandworlds-explorer.