Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to CarFy ("we," "our," or "the App"). CarFy is a car maintenance tracking application developed by the CarFy Team. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we handle your data.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your personal data when you use the CarFy mobile application.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When using CarFy, you may provide the following information, which is stored locally on your device only:

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Location Data

CarFy collects location data in the following circumstances:

• Foreground Location (when app is open):
  • Finding nearby places (gas stations, repair shops, charging stations)
  • Saving current location for maintenance activities
  • Saving custom places ("My Places")
• Background Location (only during active use):
  • Lap Timer: Tracks GPS coordinates during performance testing sessions
  • Car Performance Tracking: Records location data during active driving performance tests

Device Information

• Device model and operating system version (for app compatibility)
• App crash reports (if analytics are enabled)

Camera and Photos

• Camera access (only when you choose to take photos)
• Photo library access (only when you choose to attach existing photos)
• All photos are stored locally in the app's private storage

Sensors

• Accelerometer data (for G-Force Meter during performance tracking)

2.3 Data NOT Collected

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Local Data Storage

3.2 Purpose of Data Usage

Your locally stored data is used to:

• Track vehicle maintenance history and costs
• Calculate fuel efficiency and mileage statistics
• Set and display maintenance reminders
• Generate reports and charts about your vehicle
• Find nearby automotive services
• Track vehicle performance (0-60 mph, lap times, G-forces)
• Store photos of maintenance work, receipts, and vehicle condition

4. Third-Party Services

CarFy integrates with the following third-party services:

4.1 Google Gemini API

• Purpose: Generate daily automotive facts and curiosities (optional feature)
• Data Sent: Generic text prompts requesting car facts (NO personal data)
• Data Received: Text-based automotive facts
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

4.2 API Ninjas VIN Decoder API

• Purpose: Decode Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) to retrieve vehicle specifications
• Data Sent: VIN number only (when you choose to use VIN decoder feature)
• Data Received: Vehicle make, model, year, engine specifications
• Note: VIN numbers are not considered personal information but are vehicle identifiers
• Privacy Policy: https://api-ninjas.com/privacy

4.3 OpenStreetMap Overpass API

• Purpose: Find nearby automotive services (gas stations, repair shops, charging stations)
• Data Sent: Your current GPS coordinates (only when you use "Nearby Places" feature)
• Data Received: List of nearby places with names and addresses
• Privacy Policy: https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy

4.4 Google Play Services

• Purpose: Location services for GPS coordinates
• Data Sent: Location requests
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

4.5 Future Analytics and Advertising (Post-Launch)

When CarFy is published on Google Play, we may integrate:

Google Analytics / Firebase Analytics

• Purpose: Understand app usage patterns, crashes, and user engagement
• Data Collected:
  • App screens viewed
  • Feature usage statistics
  • Device information (model, OS version)
  • Crash reports
  • General usage patterns (NO personal identification)
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Google AdMob (Advertising)

• Purpose: Display advertisements to support free app availability
• Data Collected:
  • Advertising ID
  • Device information
  • App usage data for ad targeting
• Your Rights: You can opt-out of personalized ads in your device settings
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Ad Settings: https://adssettings.google.com/

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 User-Initiated Sharing

CarFy allows YOU to share your data:

• Backup Files: You can create backup ZIP files containing your data and share them via email, messaging apps, cloud storage, etc. You control where and with whom you share backups.
• Export Reports: You can export maintenance reports (PDF, CSV) and share them as you choose
• Single Car/Place Export: You can export individual vehicles or saved places and share them

We do NOT automatically share, sell, or transfer your data to anyone.

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government regulation. However, since we do NOT store your data on our servers, we have no data to provide to third parties.

5.3 No Data Sales

6. Data Security

6.1 Local Storage Security

• All data is stored in your device's private app storage (not accessible by other apps)
• Photos are stored in the app's private directory
• Database is encrypted using Android's standard Room database encryption

6.2 Biometric Lock (Optional)

You can enable biometric authentication (fingerprint, face unlock, PIN) to protect app access.

6.3 Backup Security

When you create backups:

• Backup files are saved to your device's Downloads folder: /Downloads/CarFy/Backup/
• You are responsible for securing backup files if you share them
• Backups contain all your car data, photos, and maintenance records

7. Your Privacy Rights

7.1 Data Access and Control

Since all data is stored locally:

• Access: You have full access to all your data within the app
• Modification: You can edit or delete any data at any time
• Deletion: Uninstalling the app deletes all local data
• Export: You can export all data via backup feature

7.2 Location Permissions

You can control location access:

• Foreground location: Enable/disable in app permissions
• Background location: Required only for Lap Timer and Performance Tracking (you can deny this permission if you don't use these features)
• Manage: Android Settings → Apps → CarFy → Permissions

7.3 Camera and Photo Permissions

• Camera: Required only when taking photos of maintenance work
• Photo Library: Required only when attaching existing photos
• Revoke: You can deny these permissions and still use most app features

7.4 Notification Permissions

• Purpose: Display maintenance reminders
• Control: You can disable notifications in Android Settings

7.5 Data Portability

• Export all data via backup feature (ZIP file)
• Export individual cars or places
• Backups can be imported on other devices

7.6 GDPR Rights (EU Users)

If you are in the European Union, you have additional rights:

• Right to Access: Access all your data (stored locally on your device)
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate data
• Right to Erasure: Delete your data (uninstall app or delete within app)
• Right to Data Portability: Export data via backup
• Right to Object: Opt-out of analytics/ads when implemented

7.7 CCPA Rights (California Users)

If you are a California resident:

• Right to Know: We disclose what data we collect in this policy
• Right to Delete: Uninstall the app to delete all data
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of personalized ads in device settings
• No Sale of Data: We do NOT sell personal information

8. Children's Privacy

CarFy is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided data to the app, please contact us at carfy.apps@gmail.com.

Age Requirement: While there are no strict age restrictions, the app is designed for vehicle owners (typically 16+).

9. International Data Transfers

Since data is stored locally on your device, there are NO international data transfers. If you travel with your device, your data travels with you.

Third-party APIs (Gemini, Overpass, VIN Decoder) may process data in different countries. Please review their privacy policies.

10. Data Retention

• Local Data: Retained on your device until you delete it or uninstall the app
• Backups: Retained on your device until you manually delete backup files
• Third-Party Services: Processed transiently (not stored by CarFy)

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted:

• In the app (Settings → Privacy Policy)
• On our website: https://carfyapp.com/privacy
• Significant changes will be announced in the app

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

12. Permissions Explained

CarFy requests the following Android permissions:

Permission	Purpose	Required?
Camera	Take photos of maintenance work, receipts, vehicle	Optional
Photo Library (Read Media Images/Video)	Attach existing photos	Optional
Location (Fine/Coarse)	Find nearby places, save locations	Optional*
Background Location	Track location during Lap Timer/Performance tests	Optional
Notifications	Send maintenance reminders	Optional
Storage (Manage External Storage)	Save/load backup files	Optional
Internet	VIN decoder, nearby places, car facts	Required for online features
Biometric	Unlock app with fingerprint/face	Optional
Exact Alarms	Schedule precise reminder notifications	Optional
System Alert Window	Display reminder dialogs	Optional
Wake Lock	Keep device awake during performance tracking	Required for tracking

*Most features work without permissions, but some features require them.

13. Contact Us

14. Consent

15. Additional Information

Open Source Components

CarFy uses open-source libraries. See in-app credits for full list.

No User Accounts

CarFy does NOT require user registration, login, or account creation. All data stays on your device.

Offline Functionality

Most features work offline. Online features (VIN decoder, nearby places, car facts) require internet connection.