AutoBud — Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 19, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains what information AutoBud (“AutoBud”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects when you use the AutoBud mobile applications (the “Customer App” and the “Mechanic App”) and related services (collectively, the “Platform”), how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Platform you agree to the practices described here. This policy supplements our Terms and Conditions.

1. Information You Provide

Account and identity. When you create an account we collect the information needed to authenticate you and operate the service:

• Email and password if you sign up with email/password.
• Email, name, and a stable identifier from Apple or Google when you choose “Sign in with Apple” or “Continue with Google”. Apple only shares your name on the first sign-in; we store it so we can address you in the app and in notifications.
• Profile information you add yourself: first name, last name, profile photo (avatar), and — for Mechanics — business name, bio, portfolio photos, service area, and contact details.

Vehicles (Customers). Make, model, year, and optional VIN for any vehicle you add to your garage.

Jobs and quotes. The title, description, optional photos, vehicle, and approximate location (e.g. ZIP code) of any job you post; the price, scope, and timing of any quote a Mechanic sends in response; and the bookings that result when you accept a quote.

Messages. The contents of chat messages you send to or receive from the other party on a booked or quoted job.

Reviews and ratings you submit after a completed job.

2. Information Collected Automatically

Device and push tokens. When you enable notifications we receive an Apple Push Notification service (APNs) token (iOS) or Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) token (Android), and we record the device platform and app bundle. We use these tokens solely to deliver notifications you’ve opted into (new quotes, new messages, booking updates) and we delete them when they become invalid.

Approximate location. The Customer App and Mechanic App use your device location to show nearby Mechanics and nearby jobs. Precision depends on the permission you grant in iOS/Android settings; you can change or revoke this at any time in system settings. We do not continuously track your location in the background.

Crash and performance data. We use Sentry to receive automatic crash reports and basic performance traces (e.g. screen load times, network error rates). These reports include device model, OS version, app version, a Sentry-generated installation ID, and the stack trace of the crash. They do not include the contents of your messages, posts, or profile.

We do not use third-party advertising SDKs, and we do not sell or share your personal information for targeted advertising.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information described above to:

• create and authenticate your account;
• match Customers with Mechanics and surface relevant jobs or quotes;
• deliver chat messages, quotes, bookings, and the notifications associated with them;
• show reviews and ratings on Mechanic profiles;
• diagnose crashes and improve the app;
• enforce our Terms and Conditions, prevent abuse, and comply with legal obligations.

4. How Information Is Shared

Between Customers and Mechanics. Information necessary to connect the two sides of a job is shared between them: a Customer’s first name, profile photo, vehicle, and job details are visible to Mechanics who can quote on the job; a Mechanic’s profile (name, photo, business info, ratings) is visible to Customers browsing or receiving quotes. Once a job is booked, both sides can chat directly.

Service providers we use to operate AutoBud:

• Supabase — our backend host (database, authentication, file storage, realtime, and Edge Functions). All app data lives in our Supabase project.
• Apple Push Notification service and Google Firebase Cloud Messaging — to deliver push notifications.
• Sentry — for crash and performance reporting.
• Apple and Google — when you choose to sign in with their identity providers.

These providers process information on our behalf under their own terms.

Legal and safety. We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or other valid legal process, or where we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of AutoBud, our users, or the public.

Business transfers. If AutoBud is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to standard confidentiality protections.

We do not sell your personal information.

5. Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your information for as long as your account is active. You can request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us at the address in Section 9. Some information may be retained after deletion where required by law, to resolve disputes, or to enforce our agreements (for example, transaction records or abuse logs). Push notification tokens are automatically purged when Apple or Google reports them as invalid.

6. Security

We protect data in transit with TLS and at rest using Supabase’s managed encryption. Access to the production database is restricted to authorized personnel. No system is perfectly secure; if you believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately.

7. Children

AutoBud is not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.

8. Your Choices

• Notifications. Manage push notifications in iOS or Android system settings.
• Location. Grant, restrict, or revoke location permission in system settings. The app continues to work without location, but Mechanic search defaults to a generic list instead of nearby results.
• Profile data. Edit or remove information on your profile inside the app at any time.
• Account deletion. Contact us at the email below.

Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under local law (for example, the right to access, correct, port, or delete your personal information, or to object to certain processing). To exercise these rights, contact us at the address in Section 9.

9. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy, or requests to access or delete your data:

Email: vshashankrao@gmail.com

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes we’ll notify you in the app or by email. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page always reflects the current version.