CARFOCAL

Carfocal

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Carfocal ("we", "us", "our") operates a U.S.-based online news, commentary, and community platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you access or use our website, services, or community features (collectively, the "Services").

By using Carfocal, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information to operate, secure, and improve our Services.

1.1 Account Information

  • Username
  • Email address
  • Password (stored using secure hashing algorithms)
  • Optional profile details (bio, profile image, preferences)

1.2 User-Generated Content

  • Posts, comments, messages, uploads, interactions
  • Public content may be visible to all visitors

1.3 Logs & Technical Data

  • IP address
  • Device and browser type
  • Access times and pages viewed
  • URLs that led you to our site
  • General usage activity and patterns

1.4 Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use:

  • Essential cookies (login sessions, site functionality)
  • Analytics cookies (traffic measurement, performance)
  • Preference cookies (site settings)
  • Marketing pixels (if applicable)

1.5 Analytics Data

Collected through third-party tools such as Google Analytics, including:

  • Page interactions
  • Session duration
  • Geographic and device information

2. Legal Bases for Processing

While Carfocal primarily operates under U.S. law, we align with international standards when applicable.

We may process personal data under:

2.1 Consent

  • When you opt in to cookies or newsletters

2.2 Contractual Necessity

  • To provide and maintain your account
  • To deliver Services you request

2.3 Legitimate Interests

  • Preventing fraud and abuse
  • Ensuring platform security
  • Improving user experience
  • Moderation and community safety

3. How We Use Your Information

  • Operate and maintain the platform
  • Personalize and improve the user experience
  • Facilitate posting, commenting, and community interactions
  • Analyze performance and traffic
  • Communicate updates, support messages, and service notices
  • Detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, or security issues

4. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share data as follows:

4.1 Service Providers

Trusted vendors assisting with:

  • Hosting and infrastructure
  • Analytics
  • Security and moderation tools
  • Email delivery

4.2 Legal Compliance

We may disclose information when required by:

  • Law enforcement requests
  • Court orders
  • Applicable laws or regulations

4.3 Business Transfers

If Carfocal undergoes a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, user data may be part of the transferred assets.

4.4 Public Content

Any content you post publicly will be visible to anyone online.

5. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as necessary to:

  • Provide our Services
  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Resolve disputes
  • Enforce agreements

Deleted posts or accounts may persist in backups temporarily.

6. Cookies & Tracking

You can manage cookies via your browser settings. If you disable cookies, some features may not function properly.

We may use third-party tracking tools (e.g., Google Analytics) that operate under their own privacy policies.

7. Third-Party Services

Carfocal may integrate third-party services such as:

  • Authentication providers
  • Analytics platforms
  • Hosting and CDN providers
  • Embedded media (videos, widgets)

These third parties may collect information based on their own policies.

8. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures, including:

  • Encryption in transit (HTTPS)
  • Password hashing
  • Access controls for internal systems

No system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute protection.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your region, you may have the right to:

  • Access personal data we hold about you
  • Request correction or updates
  • Request deletion of your data
  • Request an export of your data
  • Withdraw consent for optional data uses
  • Opt out of analytics cookies

To submit a request, contact [email protected].

10. Children's Privacy

We do not knowingly collect information from children under the age of 13. If we discover that a child under 13 has provided personal data, we will delete it promptly.

11. International Users

The Services are operated from the United States. If you access the platform from outside the U.S., you consent to the transfer and processing of your data in the U.S., where privacy laws may differ.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy occasionally. When changes occur:

  • We will update the "Effective Date" above
  • Significant changes may be announced through the site

13. Contact Us

For privacy questions, requests, or concerns, contact:

[email protected]