Plain English summary: Dart Starter is a free darts training platform. We collect only what we need to run the site, we never sell your data, we don't run intrusive tracking, and you can request deletion of your account and data at any time. Read on for the full details.
Dart Starter ("we", "us", "our") is a free digital darts training platform operated from Telford, United Kingdom. Our website is accessible at dartstarter.co.uk.
We provide training games, a Career Mode simulation, equipment reviews, checkout tools, a daily challenge, a community chat, and related darts content — all free of charge. Dart Starter is not a registered limited company; it is an independent platform run by its founder.
We collect information in two ways: information you provide to us voluntarily, and information collected automatically when you use the site.
Information you provide:
Account information (email address and password) if you choose to create a Dart Starter account via Google Firebase Authentication.
Display name or username if you choose to provide one in the community chat or Career Mode.
Any content you submit to the community chat.
Information collected automatically:
Game progress and Career Mode save data, stored locally in your browser's localStorage and optionally synced to Firebase Firestore if you are signed in.
Daily Challenge results, stored locally in your browser's localStorage.
We do not currently use Google Analytics or any other analytics tracking on the site.
Advertising data collected by Google AdSense — but only if you accept advertising cookies via our consent banner. This may include your IP address, browser type, and browsing behaviour on our site, used to serve relevant ads. See Section 6 for details.
We do not collect payment information. Dart Starter is free and we process no financial transactions directly.
How We Use Your Data
We use the data we collect for the following purposes:
To provide the service: running training games, saving Career Mode progress, powering the community chat, and delivering daily challenges.
To improve the platform: understanding which features are used most, identifying bugs, and informing decisions about new content.
To enable account features: if you create an account, to authenticate you, sync your save data across devices, and allow you to participate in the community.
To serve advertising: Google AdSense uses data about your browsing to show you relevant ads. This helps fund the platform and keep it free.
To communicate with you: only if you contact us directly at our email address.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to any third party for marketing purposes.
Our lawful bases under UK GDPR (Article 6):
Contract — providing the service you've asked for: authenticating your account, syncing your saves, running the community chat.
Consent — advertising cookies set by Google AdSense. Ads only load after you choose "Accept all" on our cookie banner, and you can withdraw consent at any time (see Section 4).
Legitimate interests — keeping the site secure, fixing bugs, moderating the community chat, and responding to your enquiries. We balance these interests against your rights, and you can object at any time.
Cookies & Local Storage
Dart Starter uses cookies and browser local storage to enhance your experience.
Local Storage (no expiry until you clear your browser):
ds_career_v3 — your Career Mode save data (player name, pub name, division, season stats).
ds_startle_[date] — your daily Dart Startle result for each date.
ds_caller_settings — your Master Caller preferences (voice, speed, pitch).
ds_career_input_mode — your preferred scoring input mode (dart-by-dart or keypad).
Consent preference (set by us):
ds_consent_v1 — records whether you accepted or rejected advertising cookies, so we don't ask you on every visit.
Cookies set by third parties (only with your consent):
Google AdSense sets cookies to measure ad performance and serve personalised ads (for example the NID cookie). AdSense does not load at all unless you choose "Accept all" on our cookie banner. You can additionally opt out of personalised ads via Google Ad Settings.
Firebase / Google sets authentication tokens if you sign in to a Dart Starter account. These are strictly necessary for the sign-in feature to work and are only set when you actively sign in.
When you first visit a page that can show adverts, a cookie banner asks for your choice before any advertising cookies are set, with "Accept all" and "Reject all" given equal prominence. If you reject, the site works exactly the same — you just won't see ads.
You can change your mind at any time:
Third-Party Services
Dart Starter uses the following third-party services. Each has its own privacy policy which governs how it handles data:
Google Firebase (Authentication & Firestore) — used for optional user accounts and cloud save sync. Firebase is operated by Google LLC. Firebase Privacy Policy →
Google Fonts — used to load typefaces (Barlow and Lora). Font requests may log your IP address. Google Privacy Policy →
Cloudflare — used for DNS and site delivery. Cloudflare may log request metadata. Cloudflare Privacy Policy →
Buy Me a Coffee — an optional voluntary support link. If you visit that platform, their privacy policy applies.
Facebook & TikTok — social links on the site. Clicking them takes you to their platforms, which have their own policies.
We have no control over the data practices of these third-party providers. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.
International transfers: the Google services listed above (Firebase, AdSense, Fonts) are operated by Google LLC and may process data on servers outside the UK, including in the United States. These transfers are covered by Google's compliance with the UK Extension to the EU–US Data Privacy Framework and, where applicable, the UK International Data Transfer Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.
Advertising (Google AdSense)
Dart Starter displays advertisements served by Google AdSense (publisher ID: ca-pub-7899448439309795). Advertising revenue is what allows us to keep the platform free.
Ads only load if you consent. AdSense — and its cookies — are blocked until you choose "Accept all" on our cookie banner. If you choose "Reject all", no advertising code runs and no advertising cookies are set. Our lawful basis for advertising cookies is your consent, which you can withdraw at any time via the Cookie Settings button in Section 4.
If you consent, Google AdSense may use cookies and web beacons to serve ads based on your prior visits to our site and other sites on the internet. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visit to our site.
You can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ad Settings, or by visiting aboutads.info to opt out of third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalised advertising.
Dart Starter itself does not accept paid placements or sponsored content that is presented as editorial. All reviews and recommendations on the site are independent.
Data Retention
We retain data only for as long as necessary to provide the service:
Local storage data (Career Mode saves, daily challenge results, settings) is stored in your own browser and persists until you clear your browser data or delete it manually.
Firebase account data (email address, display name, cloud saves) is retained while your account is active. You can delete your account and all associated data yourself at any time — sign in, open your profile from the 🎯 button in the navigation, and choose "Delete my account & data". Deletion is immediate and removes your profile, stats, game saves, leaderboard entries and your Firebase Authentication record. You can also request deletion by email and we will action it within 30 days.
Community chat messages may be retained for moderation purposes and to maintain the continuity of the chat. You can request removal of specific messages by contacting us.
Advertising data collected by Google AdSense (if you consented) is governed by Google's retention policies. Your cookie consent choice (ds_consent_v1) stays in your browser until you clear it or change it via Cookie Settings.
Your Rights
Under UK data protection law (UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018), you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
Right of access — you can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Right to rectification — you can ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
Right to erasure — you can ask us to delete your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
Right to restrict processing — you can ask us to limit how we use your data in certain circumstances.
Right to data portability — you can request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
Right to object — you can object to our processing of your data for direct marketing or where we rely on legitimate interests.
Right to withdraw consent — where we rely on your consent (advertising cookies), you can withdraw it at any time via the Cookie Settings button in Section 4, with no effect on your use of the site.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at dartstarteradmin@gmail.com. We will respond within one calendar month as required by UK GDPR. We will not charge a fee for reasonable requests.
If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.
Children's Privacy
Dart Starter is intended for users of all ages who enjoy darts. The training games, Career Mode and daily challenges are suitable for all ages and do not require an account to use.
We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 13 without verifiable parental consent. The account registration feature (which requires an email address) is intended for users aged 13 and over.
If you believe we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, please contact us at dartstarteradmin@gmail.com and we will delete it promptly.
Security
We take reasonable steps to protect the personal data we hold:
Account authentication is handled by Google Firebase Authentication, which uses industry-standard encryption and secure token handling.
User data stored in Firebase Firestore is protected by Firebase Security Rules, limiting access to authenticated users and administrative functions only.
The site is served over HTTPS, encrypting data in transit between your browser and our servers.
We do not store passwords. Authentication credentials are managed entirely by Firebase and Google's OAuth system.
No method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. If you become aware of any security vulnerability on the site, please contact us immediately.
Terms of Use
By using Dart Starter, you agree to the following terms:
Acceptable use
You must not use the site for any unlawful purpose or in any way that could harm, disable, or impair the service.
You must not attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the site, its servers, or any data connected to the site.
You must not upload or transmit any content that is offensive, defamatory, discriminatory, or in breach of any applicable law.
You must not use automated tools to scrape, crawl, or harvest data from the site without our prior written consent.
Community chat
The community chat is a space for darts discussion. Keep it friendly, respectful and on topic.
We reserve the right to remove any messages or suspend any accounts that violate these terms without notice.
Intellectual property
All original content on Dart Starter — including the Career Mode, training games, blog articles, and site design — is the intellectual property of Dart Starter.
You may share links to our content. You must not reproduce substantial portions of our content on other platforms without permission.
Third-party brand names, trademarks and logos referenced in reviews (Target, Winmau, Red Dragon, etc.) are the property of their respective owners. Their inclusion is editorial and does not imply endorsement.
Disclaimer
Dart Starter is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied.
We do not guarantee uninterrupted access to the site. Maintenance, updates or technical issues may cause temporary unavailability.
Equipment reviews on the site represent our honest independent opinion. We are not liable for purchasing decisions made based on our reviews.
Career Mode is a simulation for entertainment and training purposes. It does not represent or affiliate with any real darts governing body, including the PDC, WDF, or BDO.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy and Terms of Use from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal obligations. When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.
Continued use of Dart Starter after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy. If the changes are material, we will make reasonable efforts to notify users through a banner on the site.
We encourage you to review this page periodically. Previous versions are available on request.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns or requests relating to this policy or your personal data, please get in touch:
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours. For formal data subject access requests or erasure requests under UK GDPR, we will respond within 30 days as required by law.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):