Privacy Policy
Last updated: November 4, 2026
This policy explains what Virtual Auto Mechanic ("we", "us") collects when you use the Virtual Auto Mechanic website, web app and mobile apps (together, the "Service"), how we use it, and the choices you have.
What we collect
- Account details. Name, email address, phone number, state or province, country and time zone, which you provide when you register.
- Vehicle information. Year, make, model, engine, VIN and mileage for the vehicles you add, plus any notes you write about them.
- Photos, videos and documents you upload about a vehicle or an appointment, such as pictures of a part or a shop estimate.
- Appointment details. The reason for the appointment, the time you choose, the consultation length, and notes the mechanic records during or after the call.
- Video calls. Appointments take place over a live video call. Calls are not recorded by us. If we add an option to record calls in the future, it will be announced in the app and require your consent.
- Payment information. Payments are processed by Stripe. Your card number is entered directly into Stripe's secure form and never reaches our servers. We keep the payment reference, amount, status and receipt link.
- Device and usage information. A push notification token for your phone (so we can send appointment reminders and call alerts), basic device and app version details, and server logs such as IP address and the pages or endpoints requested.
How we use it
- To create and manage your account and sign you in with a one-time code sent by email.
- To schedule, conduct and follow up on appointments, including connecting you and the mechanic on a video call.
- To take payment for consultations and send receipts.
- To send appointment emails and push notifications: confirmations, reminders, reschedules, and alerts when the other party has joined the call. You can turn push notifications off in your phone's settings at any time.
- To keep the Service secure, diagnose problems and improve it.
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for third-party advertising.
Who we share it with
- The mechanic handling your appointment sees your name, contact details, vehicle information, uploads and appointment notes so they can help you.
- Service providers that run parts of the Service on our behalf: Stripe (payments), Agora (video calls), Google Firebase (push notifications), our email delivery provider, and our hosting provider. Each receives only what it needs to do its job.
- When required by law or to protect our rights, our users or the public.
How long we keep it
Your account, vehicles, appointments and uploads are kept while your account is active so you and your mechanic can refer back to them. Payment records are kept as long as required for accounting and tax purposes. You can ask us to delete your account at any time (see below); some records may be retained where the law requires it.
Your choices
- Access and update your profile and vehicles in the app.
- Push notifications can be disabled in your device settings.
- Delete your account by emailing hello@virtualautomechanic.com from the address on the account. We will confirm and remove your personal information, subject to the retention note above.
Security
Data is transmitted over encrypted connections, sign-in uses one-time codes rather than stored passwords for customers, and card data is handled entirely by Stripe. No method of storage or transmission is perfectly secure, but we work to protect your information with measures appropriate to the Service.
Children
The Service is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children.
Changes
If we change this policy in a meaningful way we will update the date above and, for significant changes, notify you in the app or by email.
Contact
Questions about this policy: hello@virtualautomechanic.com or (470) 303-0902.