Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

When you register or use CarZone, we may collect:

• Contact Information: Name, phone number, email address, and physical address
• Account Information: Username, password (encrypted), and profile preferences
• Verification Data: Phone verification codes (OTP) sent via SMS or WhatsApp
• Business Information: Company name, website, and business address (for dealers)

1.2 Car Listing Information

When you list a car for sale, we collect:

• Vehicle details (brand, model, year, color, mileage, transmission, fuel type, etc.)
• Pricing and currency information
• Photos and descriptions of the vehicle
• Location information (province and city)

1.3 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, clicks, and navigation patterns
• Location Data: General location information based on IP address
• Cookies: We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

2.1 Service Delivery

• Create and manage your account
• Process and display car listings
• Facilitate communication between buyers and sellers
• Send verification codes for account security
• Process transactions and payments

2.2 Platform Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve our services
• Develop new features and functionality
• Personalize your experience on the platform
• Conduct research and analytics

2.3 Communication

• Send important updates about your account or listings
• Respond to your inquiries and support requests
• Send promotional materials (with your consent)
• Notify you about messages from other users

2.4 Security and Compliance

• Prevent fraud and unauthorized access
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Comply with legal obligations
• Protect the rights and safety of our users

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We respect your privacy and do not sell your personal information. We may share your data in the following circumstances:

3.1 Public Listings

Information in your car listings (vehicle details, photos, and contact information you choose to display) will be visible to all CarZone users and visitors.

3.2 Service Providers

We work with third-party service providers who help us operate our platform:

• OTPIQ: For sending verification codes via SMS and WhatsApp
• Cloud Storage: For storing images and files
• Analytics Services: To understand platform usage
• Payment Processors: To handle transactions securely

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights and safety.

3.4 Business Transfers

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

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: All data transmission is encrypted using SSL/TLS
• Secure Storage: Passwords are hashed and securely stored
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal data by authorized personnel only
• Regular Audits: We regularly review our security practices
• OTP Verification: Two-factor authentication for sensitive operations

5. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

5.1 Access and Update

You can access and update your profile information at any time through your account settings.

5.2 Account Deletion

You can request deletion of your account by using the account deletion feature in the app. This action is permanent and will remove all your personal data and listings.

5.3 Phone Number Update

You can update your phone number through a secure verification process requiring OTP confirmation.

5.4 Marketing Communications

You can opt out of promotional emails and notifications at any time through your account settings.

5.5 Data Portability

Upon request, we can provide you with a copy of your personal data in a structured, commonly used format.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Maintain business records for legitimate purposes

When you delete your account, we will permanently remove your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Authenticate your login sessions
• Analyze platform performance and usage
• Personalize content and advertisements

You can control cookies through your browser settings, though disabling them may affect platform functionality.

8. Children's Privacy

CarZone is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

10. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our platform
• Sending you a notification via email or app notification
• Updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy

Your continued use of CarZone after changes are made constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Us