Privacy policy

CrossHint operates crosshint.com. This page explains what we store when you use the solver, send a correction, or sign in to the private admin. Last updated 24 September 2026.

Who is responsible

CrossHint is the controller of personal data collected on this site. Contact contact@crosshint.com.

What we collect

Solver searches can store:

• an anonymous session identifier from the ch_anon cookie
• the query text and a normalized copy of that query
• optional length and known-letter filters
• how many results were returned
• an optional clicked result identifier

We do not store IP addresses in search logs. Correction reports may include a reason, a message, and an optional email if you choose to leave one. Admin login stores a session cookie after you sign in.

Cookies

• ch_anon: anonymous solver session, HTTP-only, lasts about 180 days. Used to group searches and improve zero-result research.
• crosshint_admin: private admin session. Set only after a successful login.
• ch_consent: stores your analytics and advertising cookie choice. Lasts about 365 days.

Advertising cookies

CrossHint uses, or is applying to use, Google AdSense. When ads are served on this site:

• Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to this website or other websites.
• Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on visits to this site and/or other sites on the internet.
• Users may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of some third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising at www.aboutads.info.

More detail is on the cookie policy. Google's advertising practices are described at policies.google.com/technologies/ads.

How we use the data

• to run the crossword solver and show relevant results
• to review zero-result searches and missing answers
• to handle corrections and rights requests
• to keep the admin console signed in
• to measure page views with Google Analytics 4 when that service is enabled

We do not sell search logs or email addresses.

How long we keep it

Search logs are kept to improve the solver. Correction reports are kept while they are reviewed and as an audit trail. Optional report emails are used only if we need to follow up. To ask for deletion, email contact@crosshint.com.

Children

CrossHint is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Your choices

You can use the solver without leaving an email. You can ask us to delete a report or search-session records that we can identify. Browser controls can clear first-party cookies; a new ch_anon value will be created on the next visit. Visitors in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland can accept or reject analytics and advertising cookies on the consent banner or the cookie policy. Advertising opt-outs are listed above.

Analytics

When Google Analytics 4 is enabled and analytics cookies are allowed, Google sets cookies such as _ga and _ga_* to measure visits. That data is processed by Google under the Google Privacy Policy. You can limit Analytics cookies in your browser settings.

Changes

If we change what we store, we will update this policy and the date above. Questions: contact CrossHint.