SHIFT-E

Terms of Use, Privacy Policy & Contest Rules

Last updated: June 12, 2026

1. Who Runs SHIFT-E

SHIFT-E is an independent project operated by Shift-E ("operator," "we," "us," "our"). For questions about these terms, your data, or a contest, email contact@shift-e.com. "You" means the person using the site.

2. Using the Site

You may play, share results, and submit scores for personal, non-commercial use. You agree not to:

We may suspend or remove accounts and entries that we reasonably believe violate these rules.

3. Accounts and Email Verification

To appear on the verified leaderboard, you submit a first name and an email address, and confirm ownership via a magic link. You are responsible for maintaining access to that inbox. One verified entry per person per daily round.

4. What We Collect

When you play and submit a score, we collect:

We do not sell this data. We do not use it for advertising.

5. How We Use It

We use the information above to verify submissions, display the leaderboard, prevent abuse, improve the game, and contact you if you win a prize. We do not send marketing email. We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties, except:

6. Data Retention and Deletion

Leaderboard entries are retained indefinitely so that historical results stay intact. You can request deletion of your account and any leaderboard entries tied to your email at any time by writing to contact@shift-e.com. We will confirm and act on the request within a reasonable time.

7. Cookies and Local Storage

We use cookies and browser storage to keep you signed in, remember your theme and sound preferences, and support basic product analytics. We do not use cross-site advertising trackers.

8. Leaderboard Fairness

Solve times on the verified leaderboard are computed by our server, not self-reported. Submissions that fail validation are rejected. We reserve the right to disqualify entries that appear automated, manipulated, or duplicated, and to enforce a limit of one verified entry per person per daily round.

9. Weekly Prize Contest

We currently offer a weekly gift card prize to the player with the lowest verified solve time during the contest week. The specific prize, value, eligibility window, and any changes to selection criteria will be announced on the site, and those announcement-page terms govern that contest in addition to the general rules below.

9a. Eligibility

To be eligible to win:

This contest is open to international participants, with the following exceptions. This contest is void in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, Belarus, and the province of Quebec, Canada, due to applicable legal restrictions. Residents of these locations are not eligible to win prizes. For all other international participants, we will make reasonable efforts to fulfill prizes; however, if we are unable to deliver a prize to your location due to legal or logistical restrictions, we reserve the right to substitute an alternative of equal or greater value or to select an alternate winner.

9b. Skill-Based Contest — No Purchase Necessary

This is a skill-based contest. Winners are determined by the lowest verified solve time, not by chance. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. Playing is free.

9c. How to Enter

Submit a verified score on the daily leaderboard during the announced weekly contest window. Only one verified entry per person per day counts toward the weekly leaderboard.

9d. Winner Selection and Notification

The winner is the player with the lowest verified solve time recorded during the contest week. In the event of a tie, the earlier submission timestamp wins. Winners will be contacted at the verified email address within 7 days of the contest close. Prizes unclaimed after 14 days of notification are forfeited and a runner-up may be selected.

9e. Prizes

9f. Publicity

Your first name and solve time are already displayed publicly on the leaderboard. By accepting a prize, you consent to their continued display in connection with the contest result. No additional publicity rights are granted.

9g. Fraud and Disqualification

Any attempt to manipulate scores, submit fraudulently, or circumvent contest rules will result in immediate disqualification. We reserve the right to verify winner eligibility before awarding any prize and to substitute an alternate winner if the selected winner cannot be verified.

10. Intellectual Property

The puzzle content, glyphs, code, design, and SHIFT-E name and branding are owned by the operator. The first name you submit remains yours; you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display it on the leaderboard and in related share images for as long as your entry is on the board.

11. Disclaimers

The site is provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not guarantee that the site will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that puzzles, timers, or leaderboards will always be accurate.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the operator is not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of your use of the site. Because the site is provided free of charge, our total aggregate liability for any claim is limited to the greater of (a) the amount you paid us in the preceding 12 months (USD $0 for a free account) or (b) USD $50. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date above and post a notice on the homepage. Continued use of the site after a change becomes effective means you accept the updated terms.

14. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Any dispute that cannot be resolved informally will be brought in the courts located in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

15. Contact

Questions, deletion requests, or legal notices: contact@shift-e.com