The Butterfly Effect

1. What We Collect

We collect only what is necessary to run The Butterfly Effect:

Session data — a temporary session cookie is created when you visit. It is used to track which story threads you are actively exploring (to prevent conflicts between simultaneous visitors). It expires after 8 hours of inactivity.
Character name and appearance — the name and description you type when creating a life are stored server-side as part of the story record. This is voluntary and is used to personalise your narrative. Do not enter real personal information in these fields.
Story data — the choices you make and the story branches you navigate are stored server-side as part of the shared story world. Story data is not linked to any personally identifiable information.
IP address (rate limiting only) — your IP address is captured temporarily in server memory for rate limiting purposes only. It is never written to a database or log file for this purpose, and is discarded when the application restarts.
Server logs — standard web-server access logs (IP address, request path, timestamp). These are used for diagnostics only, are not shared or sold, and are rotated after 30 days.

We do not collect email addresses, passwords, or payment information.

2. Cookies

We use a single essential session cookie (.BF.Session.v2) to maintain your play session. No tracking or advertising cookies are used. No third-party analytics scripts are loaded.

3. Third-Party Services

Story generation and image creation rely on third-party APIs:

OpenAI — story narrative is generated via the OpenAI API. Prompts include the character description, life circumstances, and story context you have provided, but no other personal data. See OpenAI's Privacy Policy.
Replicate — scene illustrations are generated via Replicate's Flux model. Prompts include story context only. No personal data is included. See Replicate's Privacy Policy.
Google Fonts — fonts are loaded from Google Fonts CDN. This may log your IP address per Google's standard CDN policies. See Google's Privacy Policy.

4. Data Retention

Story data (life records, branch choices, fate outcomes) is retained as part of the persistent shared story world — it is the game's content. The design of The Butterfly Effect means that once a narrative thread is woven, it is part of the tapestry: story data is stored indefinitely. Story data inactive for more than 12 months may be archived. Session cookies expire after 8 hours. Server logs are rotated after 30 days.

5. Your Rights

Since story data is not linked to personally identifiable information, there is typically no personal data profile to access or correct. If you believe information you entered should be removed, or to submit a data deletion request, contact us at with the subject line "Data Deletion Request". We will respond within 30 days.

6. Age Restriction

The Butterfly Effect is intended for users aged 16 and over. It contains AI-generated narrative content that may include mature themes, loss, hardship, and philosophical content. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 16. If you believe a minor under 16 has used the service, please contact .

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy as the service evolves. The "last updated" date at the top will reflect any changes. Continued use constitutes acceptance.