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LEGAL

Privacy Policy

EFFECTIVE MAY 6, 2026FOR · CAR MECHANIC - POCKET AI · iOS

Plain-English version: we collect what we need to run the diagnoses, nothing else. We don't track you, we don't sell anything to anyone, and AI providers don't train on your photos or descriptions. Here's the long version.

1. Who we are

Car Mechanic - Pocket AI (“the App”, “we”, “us”) is built and operated by Moses Smith, an independent iOS developer. This policy explains what data the App collects, how it’s used, and what choices you have.

2. What we collect

2.1 Information you give the App

  • Vehicle information — make, model, year, mileage, and an optional nickname. Stored on your device.
  • Problem descriptions — the text you type when asking about a symptom or issue. Sent to the AI provider for analysis. Not retained by us after the response is delivered.
  • Photos — when you use Photo Diagnosis, the image you select or capture is sent to our AI provider (AIML) for analysis. We do not save full-resolution photos to any server we control. A small thumbnail is kept on your device alongside the diagnosis history so you can revisit past results.
  • Purchase information — subscription status and transaction identifiers, processed entirely by Apple. We do not see your card or Apple ID.
  • Chat messages — follow-up questions you send to the in-app AI chat. These are sent to the AI provider with the original diagnosis as context, then discarded server-side. The conversation history is kept on your device.

2.2 What we don’t collect

  • No tracking IDs (IDFA, fingerprinting, etc.).
  • No advertising SDKs.
  • No social-graph data, contacts, or location.
  • No third-party analytics that identify you personally.

3. How AI processing works

The App uses third-party AI models (currently provided through AIML) to analyze symptoms and photos. When you submit a diagnosis:

  • Your text and/or photo is sent over an encrypted (HTTPS) connection to the AI provider.
  • The AI returns a diagnosis, which the App then displays and stores locally on your device.
  • Per our agreement with the AI provider, your content is not used to train their models, and is not retained beyond what is required to generate the response.
  • We do not have a server that stores your photos, descriptions, or chat history. Everything user-generated lives on your device.

4. Data stored on your device

Diagnosis history (including thumbnails), vehicle profiles, chat threads, and saved maintenance reminders are stored using the operating system’s standard secure storage (iOS Keychain for credentials and SwiftData / Core Data for app data). Deleting the App from your device erases this data.

5. Subscriptions and payments

Subscriptions are managed by Apple via the App Store. We receive a signed receipt indicating whether you are an active subscriber, but we do not receive your payment information. To cancel, manage, or request a refund: open Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions on your iPhone, or use Apple’s Report a Problem page.

6. No advertising, no data sales

The App does not display advertising. We do not sell, rent, lease, or share personal information with brokers, advertisers, or any third-party marketers. There is no situation in which your diagnosis history will appear in a profile sold to anyone.

7. Crash and basic diagnostics

Apple may collect anonymous crash logs if you have opted in to share analytics with developers in your iOS settings. This is governed by Apple’s privacy policy. If you don’t want this, turn it off in Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements.

8. Your rights

  • Access & deletion — your data lives on your device, so you can review or remove it from within the App (Settings → Clear History) or by deleting the App.
  • EU/UK residents (GDPR) — you have the right to access, rectify, port, restrict, or erase personal data we process about you. Contact us at the email below.
  • California residents (CCPA/CPRA) — you have the right to know what we collect and to request deletion. We do not sell or share personal data, so the opt-out right does not apply here.

9. Children

The App is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal data through the App, please contact us and we’ll delete it.

10. International data transfers

Our AI provider operates servers that may be located outside your country. By using the App, you understand that your problem descriptions and photos may be processed in those regions. The connection is always encrypted in transit.

11. Security

We use HTTPS for every network request and rely on Apple’s sandboxing and Keychain APIs for on-device protection. No system is 100% secure; if we ever discover a breach affecting user data, we will notify affected users and applicable regulators as required by law.

12. Changes to this policy

If this policy changes materially, we’ll update the effective date at the top of the page and surface the change in the App. Minor wording fixes won’t trigger a notice.

13. Contact

Privacy questions, deletion requests, or anything you think we’ve gotten wrong: votiquellc@gmail.com.