Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Carsera ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our car rental platform, including our website, mobile application, and related services (collectively, the "Service").

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, do not use the Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
• Driver's license number, state, and expiration date
• Payment information (processed securely through Stripe)
• Profile information and preferences
• Vehicle listing information (for dealers/hosts)
• Booking and rental history
• Communications with us or other users

2.2 Location Information

We collect precise location data when you:

• Enable location services to search for nearby vehicles
• List a vehicle with a specific location
• Use features that require location access

Location data is used solely to:

• Provide nearby vehicle search functionality
• Display vehicle locations on maps
• Calculate distances between users and vehicles
• Improve our services and user experience

You can control location access through your device settings. Disabling location services may limit certain features of the Service.

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Usage data (pages visited, features used, time spent)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies
• Log files and analytics data

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
• Process transactions and send related information
• Verify user identity and prevent fraud
• Send administrative information and updates
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Personalize your experience and provide relevant content
• Monitor and analyze usage patterns and trends
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our agreements

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

• Payment processing (Stripe)
• Cloud hosting and storage (Supabase)
• Analytics and performance monitoring
• Email and communication services
• Geolocation services (OpenCage Data)

4.2 Between Users

When you book a vehicle, we share necessary information between renters and dealers/hosts to facilitate the rental, including names, contact information, and booking details. Vehicle locations are shared to enable bookings.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or others.

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication and access controls
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Compliance with industry security standards

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

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal obligations)
• Opt-out: Opt out of certain communications and data processing
• Location Controls: Disable location services through your device settings
• Account Deletion: Delete your account through account settings

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@carsera.com.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law:

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for 7 years after account closure for legal and tax purposes
• Booking Records: Retained for 7 years for tax and legal compliance
• Payment Records: Retained for 7 years as required by financial regulations
• Verification Documents: Retained for 3 years after account closure
• Audit Logs: Retained for 7 years for security and compliance purposes
• Session Data: Automatically deleted after 90 days of inactivity

You can request deletion of your data at any time, subject to legal retention requirements.

8. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: