Privacy Policy
Last updated: CarValue Optimizer
This policy explains what information CarValue Optimizer collects, how we use it, and the choices you have. CarValue Optimizer is operated by CarValue Optimizer ("we," "us"), based in Florida, USA.
The short version
- We collect only what we need to run the comparison tool, your account and your payments.
- Vehicle details you enter are deleted automatically 30 days after you add them.
- We never sell your information, and we never share it with dealers, sellers or advertisers.
- Card payments are handled by Stripe. We never see or store your full card number.
1. Information we collect
Information you give us
- Account details: your name and email address, if you create an account.
- Vehicle details: what you enter to compare cars, such as make, model, year, mileage, price, market value, title status, accident and ownership history, condition and known problems. Please don't enter personal information about sellers or other people, such as names, phone numbers or license plates.
- Messages: anything you send us when you contact support.
Payment information
Payments are processed by Stripe, Inc. Stripe collects your card details directly. We receive only limited information from Stripe, such as your name, email, the last four digits of your card, the amount, and whether the payment succeeded. Stripe's use of your information is covered by its own privacy policy at stripe.com/privacy.
Information collected automatically
- Browser storage: we use your browser's local storage to remember your settings and, if you use the tool without an account, your vehicle comparisons. This information stays on your device.
- Technical logs: our hosting provider automatically records basic technical information, such as IP address, browser type and pages requested, to keep the service secure and working.
We do not use advertising cookies or tracking pixels. If we add analytics in the future, we will update this policy first.
2. How we use your information
- To calculate your vehicle comparisons and create the PDF reports you request.
- To run your account and subscription, and to process payments and refunds.
- To answer your questions and send important service messages, such as receipts or changes to these policies.
- To keep the service secure, prevent fraud, and meet legal, tax and accounting obligations.
Your scores are calculated by a predefined algorithm using only the information you enter. We don't use your information to make decisions about you, such as credit or insurance decisions.
3. Who we share it with
We share information only with:
- Service providers who help us run CarValue Optimizer, such as our website host, database and sign-in provider, payment processor (Stripe) and email provider. They may use your information only to provide their services to us.
- Authorities, when required by law or to protect the rights, safety or property of our users or the public.
- A buyer or successor, if our business is sold or transferred. This policy would continue to apply to your information.
Recall lookups: to score safety recalls, only the make, model and model year you entered are sent to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's public data service (api.nhtsa.gov), either directly from your browser or through our server. No name, email or other personal information is included.
We do not sell or rent your personal information, and we do not share it for advertising.
4. How long we keep it
- Vehicle details: deleted automatically 30 days after you add each car. You can delete them sooner at any time on the Account page.
- Account details: kept until you delete your account.
- Payment records: kept as long as required by tax and accounting laws.
- Backups and logs: deleted on a rolling basis, usually within 30 days.
5. Your choices and rights
You can view, change or delete your vehicle data and your account at any time on the Account page. You can also email us at support@carvalueoptimizer.org to ask for a copy of your information, to correct it, or to delete it. We'll respond within 30 days.
6. Security
We use encrypted connections (HTTPS), trusted service providers and limited access to protect your information. No online service is completely secure, so please use a unique password for your email account and contact us if you notice anything unusual.
7. Children
CarValue Optimizer is intended for people 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has given us information, contact us and we will delete it.
8. Changes to this policy
If we make meaningful changes, we'll update the date above and, if you have an account, notify you by email before the changes take effect.
9. Contact
Questions about privacy: support@carvalueoptimizer.org.