Privacy Policy for CarSymp (carsymp.com)

1) Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through carsymp.com and related communications (for example, when you email us, call our hotline, or submit an online request).
It covers how we handle personal information in the context of automotive repair education, service inquiries, appointment-related requests, and general website operations.

This Policy does not cover privacy practices of third parties that we do not own or control, including external websites you may access through links on our Website.

Important: Our Website is primarily informational and service-oriented. If we introduce new features (such as online payment, customer portals, or chat tools),
we will update this Policy accordingly.

2) Information We Collect

We collect information to provide the Website, respond to requests, improve user experience, and maintain the security of our systems. The type of data collected depends on how you interact with CarSymp.

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Contact details such as name, email address, phone number, and preferred contact method when you submit a form or communicate with us.
• Service inquiry details such as your vehicle concern (e.g., symptoms, warning lights, noises), preferred appointment timeframe, and related notes.
• Optional vehicle information you may share, such as make, model, year, mileage, or VIN (if you choose to provide it for troubleshooting or scheduling).
• Communications including messages sent via email, forms, or phone conversations (e.g., to clarify repair questions or provide service estimates).

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit carsymp.com, our systems may automatically log certain information for performance, analytics, and security purposes:

1. Device & browser data such as IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, and general location (derived from IP).
2. Usage data such as pages viewed, time spent on pages, click patterns, and referring/exit pages.
3. Technical data such as error logs, diagnostic information, and performance metrics to keep the Website functioning smoothly.

2.3 Cookies & Similar Identifiers

We may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to remember preferences, understand how the Website is used, and improve performance.
See Section 5 for details.

2.4 Sensitive Information

Please do not submit sensitive personal information through the Website (such as social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, or financial account details).
If sensitive information is required for a specific transaction in the future, we will provide clear instructions and safeguards.

3) How We Use Information

We use collected information for legitimate business purposes related to delivering and improving our automotive repair services and Website experience, including:

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your personal information to make decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects solely through automated processing.

4) Legal Bases (Where Applicable)

Depending on your location and applicable privacy laws, CarSymp processes personal information under one or more legal bases, such as:

• Consent (e.g., when you submit a form requesting contact or accept non-essential cookies).
• Contract / pre-contract steps (e.g., responding to a service request or preparing for an appointment).
• Legitimate interests (e.g., improving the Website, securing our systems, understanding which pages help users most).
• Legal obligation (e.g., responding to lawful requests or maintaining required records).

Where consent is required, you may withdraw it at any time by contacting us (see Section 14).

5) Cookies & Similar Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device. Similar technologies (like pixels or local storage) help websites function, remember choices, and measure performance.

5.1 Types of Cookies We May Use

• Essential cookies: Needed for core site features, such as basic navigation and security.
• Preference cookies: Help remember your settings (e.g., language preferences, display choices).
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand traffic and usage patterns so we can improve content and user experience.

5.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. Please note that disabling cookies may affect certain Website functions.

6) How We Share Information

We may share personal information only as necessary to operate our business, provide services you request, and comply with legal obligations. We may share information with:

6.1 Service Providers

We may use trusted third-party vendors to support hosting, analytics, security, communications, or website performance. These providers are authorized to process information only as needed to perform services for us.

6.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required to do so by law, regulation, subpoena, or court order, or if we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to protect rights, safety, and security.

6.3 Business Transfers

If CarSymp is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to appropriate confidentiality protections.

6.4 With Your Direction

We may share information when you explicitly request or authorize us to do so (for example, if you ask us to coordinate with a towing provider or a specific partner you choose).

7) Data Retention

We keep personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including providing services, resolving disputes, enforcing agreements, and complying with legal obligations.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information, how it is used, and applicable legal requirements. When information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to delete or anonymize it.

8) Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

• Access controls and limited internal access to personal information.
• Monitoring and logging to help detect suspicious activity.
• Secure communication practices when handling service-related requests.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9) Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. These rights may include:

• Access: Request information about the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: Request that inaccurate or incomplete data be corrected.
• Deletion: Request deletion of certain personal information, subject to legal exceptions.
• Objection / Restriction: Object to or request restriction of certain processing activities.
• Data portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used format (where applicable).
• Opt-out of certain uses: Such as marketing communications if you have opted in.

To exercise your rights, contact us using the details in Section 14. For security, we may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

9.1 Do Not Sell / Share (Where Applicable)

CarSymp does not sell personal information. If applicable law grants additional rights related to “selling” or “sharing” personal information (as those terms may be defined by law),
you may still contact us to confirm our practices and request preferences.

10) Children’s Privacy

The Website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If you believe a child has provided personal information through our Website, please contact us so we can take appropriate steps to delete it.

11) Third-Party Links & Services

Our Website may include links to third-party websites, resources, or embedded content. This Privacy Policy does not apply to third parties’ practices.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party site you visit.

If we use third-party analytics or embedded tools, those providers may collect information through cookies or similar technologies. You can manage cookies as described in Section 5.

12) International Users

CarSymp operates in the United States. If you access the Website from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other locations where our service providers operate.

By using the Website and submitting information, you understand that your information may be transferred to countries that may have data protection rules different from those of your country.

13) Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or services.
When we update the Policy, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page.

We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

14) Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your privacy rights, or need help with a request related to your personal information, please contact CarSymp:

Notice for service communications: If you contact us about a vehicle issue, please include your preferred callback time, the vehicle make/model/year if available,
and a short description of the symptoms (for example, “check engine light,” “AC not cold,” or “brake noise”). This helps us respond more efficiently.

Thank you for visiting carsymp.com. We value your trust and work to protect your privacy while delivering helpful automotive repair information and service support.