Privacy Policy

Last Updated: May 2026

1. Introduction

AutoIntel Lab ("we," "us," "our," or "Company") operates the AutoIntel Lab website and mobile applications (collectively, the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services.

We take your privacy seriously. Please read this policy carefully to understand our privacy practices. If you do not agree with our practices, please do not use our Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

Account Registration: Name, email address, password, organization affiliation, professional role, and contact information
Communication: Email address, phone number, message content when you contact us for support or inquiries
Feedback & Surveys: Responses to surveys, feedback forms, and user research participation
Payment Information: If applicable, billing address, payment method details (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
Subscription Preferences: Content interests, notification preferences, watchlist items

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, search queries, scroll depth, features used
Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version, device identifiers
Network Information: IP address, internet service provider, referring URL, pages accessed
Cookies & Similar Technologies: Session identifiers, user preferences, authentication tokens (see Section 8 for details)
Location Data: General location information inferred from IP address (city/country level, not precise GPS)

2.3 Information from Third Parties

Social Media: If you authenticate using social media accounts, we receive basic profile information
Analytics Providers: Aggregated usage statistics from analytics services
Business Partners: Data shared through partnership agreements for service enhancement

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for:

3.1 Primary Purposes

Service Delivery: Providing, maintaining, and improving our platform
Authentication & Security: Managing your account, preventing fraud and abuse
Communication: Responding to inquiries, sending updates about your account or service
Customer Support: Technical troubleshooting, assistance, and issue resolution

3.2 Analysis & Improvement

Analytics & Research: Understanding user behavior, platform performance, feature usage patterns
Product Development: Identifying trends, developing new features, optimizing existing functionality
Quality Assurance: Testing features, identifying bugs, monitoring system performance

3.3 Marketing & Engagement (with consent)

Newsletters: Sending industry news, research insights, and platform updates
Personalization: Customizing content and recommendations based on interests
Promotional Materials: Marketing communications for new features or services (opt-in basis)

3.4 Legal & Compliance

Legal Obligations: Complying with laws, regulations, and lawful requests
Rights Protection: Protecting our legal rights, user safety, and platform integrity
Dispute Resolution: Managing claims and disputes

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 We Do NOT Sell Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

4.2 Information Sharing

We may share information with:

Service Providers: Hosting providers, analytics platforms, payment processors, email services (all subject to confidentiality agreements)
Business Partners: Only with your explicit consent for specific purposes
Legal Authorities: When required by law, court order, or government request
Aggregate Data: We may share anonymized, aggregated data for research and industry benchmarking

4.3 Data Retention by Service Providers

Third-party service providers maintain their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review their policies. Links to provider privacy policies are available upon request.

5. Data Security

5.1 Security Measures

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:

Encryption: Data in transit encrypted with HTTPS/TLS; sensitive data encrypted at rest
Access Controls: Role-based access restrictions; employee access limited to job requirements
Authentication: Strong password requirements, optional multi-factor authentication
Firewalls & Monitoring: Network security controls and continuous monitoring for suspicious activity
Regular Audits: Security assessments and penetration testing
Incident Response: Documented procedures for identifying and responding to breaches

5.2 Limitations

While we employ industry-standard security measures, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, though we maintain reasonable standards appropriate to the sensitivity of information handled.

5.3 Breach Notification

In the event of a confirmed data breach involving personal information, we will notify affected users within 30 days with information about what was compromised and steps we've taken to remediate the issue, in compliance with applicable laws.

6. Your Privacy Rights & Choices

6.1 Access & Portability

You have the right to request access to your personal information and receive it in a portable format.

6.2 Correction & Deletion

You may request correction of inaccurate information or deletion of your data, subject to legal retention requirements.

6.3 Opt-Out Options

Email Communications: Click "unsubscribe" in our emails or manage preferences in your account
Cookies: Configure cookie settings in your browser; note that some features may not function properly
Analytics: Use opt-out mechanisms provided by analytics platforms

6.4 Account Deletion

You may request complete account deletion. We will remove personal data within 30 days, except where we're required to retain records for legal or business purposes.

6.5 Do Not Track

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" feature. We honor these requests by limiting tracking technologies, though some functionality may be affected.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide services and fulfill the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law:

Account Data: Retained while account is active; deleted within 90 days of account closure
Transactional Data: Retained for 7 years for financial and legal compliance purposes
Log Data: Typically retained for 12 months for security and debugging purposes
Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized after 24 months

8. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

8.1 What We Use

Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and security
Analytics Cookies: Understand user behavior and platform usage (using privacy-focused analytics)
Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
Marketing Cookies: Track engagement for optimization (only with consent)

8.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through:

Browser settings (all browsers support cookie management)
Cookie consent preferences in your account settings
Third-party opt-out tools for specific providers

9. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will delete such information and terminate the child's account.

For users between 13-18, we provide additional privacy protections and require parental consent where applicable under law.

10. International Data Transfers

Our servers are located in the United States. If you access our Service from outside the US, your data will be transferred to and processed in the United States. By using our Service, you consent to such transfers.

For users in the European Union or other regions with data protection regulations (such as GDPR), we comply with applicable data transfer requirements and your rights under those regulations.

11. Third-Party Links & Services

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites and services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by:

Posting the updated policy on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date
Sending email notification for significant changes
Requiring explicit consent if legally required

Your continued use of the Service constitutes acceptance of any updated policy.

13. Your Rights by Region

13.1 European Union (GDPR)

If you are in the EU, you have additional rights:

Right to access, rectification, and erasure
Right to restrict processing
Right to data portability
Right to object to processing
Right to withdraw consent
Right to lodge a complaint with your data protection authority

13.2 California (CCPA)

If you are in California, you have the right to:

Know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
Delete personal information collected
Opt-out of personal information sales
Non-discrimination for exercising your rights

14. Contact Us

For privacy inquiries, to exercise your privacy rights, or to report a privacy concern, please contact:

AutoIntel Lab Privacy Team

Email: [email protected]
Mail: See Contact page for mailing address
Response Time: We aim to respond to privacy inquiries within 15 business days

If you are in the EU and have concerns that haven't been resolved, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your national data protection authority.

This Privacy Policy is effective as of May 2026 and was last updated on May 11, 2026.