Effective Date: 12/11/2024

VINNumber.ca (“we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our website located at www.vinnumber.ca, use our VIN decoding services, purchase vehicle history reports, window stickers, or interact with any other offerings (collectively referred to as “Offerings”). By accessing or using our services, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected by VINNumber.ca from users across Canada and globally. We aim to be transparent about how we handle your personal information, and we are committed to protecting it. This policy is designed to explain:

• What personal information we collect from users of our services,
• How we use that information,
• How we protect your information,
• With whom we share it,
• Your rights and choices regarding your information, and
• How we comply with applicable privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada.

We encourage you to read this Privacy Policy thoroughly and keep it for future reference.

To help you understand our Privacy Policy, here are some important terms you should know.

• Personal Information refers to any information about an identifiable individual, including but not limited to your name, email address, vehicle information (such as VIN), payment details, and browsing history.
• Offerings refer to VIN decoding, window stickers, vehicle history reports, and any related services provided by VINNumber.ca.
• Affiliates refer to entities controlled by or under common control with VINNumber.ca.
• Service Providers are third-party organizations that assist us in delivering our services, such as payment processors, data storage providers, and marketing agencies.
• Cookies are small data files stored on your device to help us personalize your experience on our website and provide analytics.

We collect different types of personal information depending on how you interact with our Website and services. The following outlines the types of personal information we collect:

A. Information You Provide Directly

When you create an account, use our VIN decoding services, or interact with us, we collect:

• Account Information: This includes your name, email address, phone number, postal address, and any other information required to create and maintain your account.
• Payment Information: If you purchase a report or service, we collect payment details such as your credit card number, billing address, and other payment-related data. These details are processed by a third-party payment processor, and we do not store sensitive payment data.
• Vehicle Information: This includes the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and related vehicle details (make, model, year, etc.) that are necessary for generating reports.
• Communication Information: If you contact us via email, phone, or through other means, we collect the content of your communications for customer service purposes.

B. Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our Website or interact with our services, we automatically collect the following information:

• Technical Data: This includes your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, geolocation data, and other technical details that help us deliver our services and improve the Website's performance.
• Usage Data: This includes information about your interactions with our Website, such as pages viewed, time spent on the site, and links clicked. This helps us analyze website traffic and optimize user experience.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your browsing activity. This allows us to remember your preferences, personalize your experience, and analyze site performance.

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

A. Provide You with Our Offerings

We use your personal information to:

• Offer VIN decoding services, generate vehicle history reports, and provide other services you request.
• Process and fulfill your transactions for VIN reports or related services.
• Provide technical support and respond to queries related to our services.

B. Communicate with You

We use your personal information to:

• Communicate with you regarding your account, services, and transaction-related updates.
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer service.
• Send administrative notifications, including updates to terms and conditions or privacy policies.

C. Provide You with Value

We may use your personal information to:

• Provide personalized recommendations or suggest services based on your preferences or previous activity.
• Send you promotional offers, discounts, or information about our services that we believe may be of interest to you (if you have opted in to receive such communications).

D. Manage Our Digital Channels

We use your personal information to:

• Improve the performance, functionality, and security of our Website and services.
• Perform analytics to identify trends and usage patterns to enhance user experience.
• Administer and monitor the Website's technical infrastructure, ensuring its smooth operation.

E. Manage Our Business

We use personal information for operational purposes, such as:

• Conducting business analysis, internal audits, and other necessary business activities.
• Managing billing, accounting, and financial transactions.
• Complying with legal obligations and protecting against fraud or misuse of our services.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. However, we may share your information with trusted parties under the following circumstances:

A. Within VINNumber.ca and with Affiliates

We may share your information within VINNumber.ca and with our Affiliates to help provide our services, manage business operations, and ensure customer support.

B. With Service Providers

We may share your personal information with third-party service providers that help us deliver our services. These providers may include:

• Payment processors to handle transactions.
• Cloud storage providers to store and back up data.
• Customer support teams who assist in resolving inquiries. These providers are obligated to protect your information and only use it for the purpose of providing services to VINNumber.ca.

C. With Analytics, Advertising, and Marketing Partners

We may share non-personal information with analytics, advertising, and marketing partners to:

• Understand how users interact with our Website and improve service offerings.
• Serve personalized advertisements and track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

D. With Communication and Marketing Partners

We may share your information with communication and marketing partners who assist us in sending you promotional emails, newsletters, or other forms of communication you have opted into.

E. As Required by Law

We may disclose your information if required by law or legal process, including:

• Complying with government requests or legal requirements.
• Responding to subpoenas, court orders, or legal claims.
• Protecting our rights, users, or property in legal matters.

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our Website.

Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain on your device for a period of time and are used to remember login information and preferences for future visits.

Session Cookies

These cookies are temporary and are deleted once you close your browser. They help us maintain your session while navigating our Website.

Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may impact the functionality of some features on our Website.

We take appropriate technical, physical, and administrative measures to safeguard your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include:

• Data Encryption: Sensitive information, such as payment details, is encrypted using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology during transmission.
• Access Controls: We restrict access to personal information only to authorized employees and service providers who need it to perform their duties.
• Regular Security Audits: We perform regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and ensure the ongoing protection of your data.

While we strive to protect your information, please be aware that no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Our Website may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not operated by VINNumber.ca. This Privacy Policy applies only to the personal information collected by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before interacting with those sites.

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.

Your information may be stored in Canada or in other jurisdictions where our service providers are located. By using our services, you consent to the transfer and storage of your information in these locations.

Right to Non-Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights under applicable privacy laws.

Right to Ask a Question or Raise a Concern/Complaint

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information, you have the right to ask questions or file a complaint. You may contact us as outlined below.

Under applicable privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada, you have several important rights regarding your personal information that we collect and process. These rights are designed to give you more control over your data and ensure that it is used in a way that aligns with your preferences. Below, we outline your key rights in relation to your personal information and how you can exercise them:

Right to Access Personal Information

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. This means you can ask us to provide a copy of the personal data we have collected, including any details related to your interactions with VINNumber.ca.

To make a request for access, please contact us using the information provided at the end of this policy. We will respond to your request in a timely manner, and in accordance with applicable laws, we may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.

Right to Modify Personal Information

If any of the personal information we hold about you is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, you have the right to request corrections.

This could include updating your name, contact information, vehicle details, or other information associated with your account or use of our services.

To request a correction or update, please contact us directly. We will work with you to ensure that your information is accurate and up-to-date.

Right to Delete Personal Information

You have the right to request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal, contractual, or business obligations. This right to deletion is also known as the "right to be forgotten."

Please note that in some cases, we may be required to retain certain information for legal, regulatory, or financial reasons, such as to comply with tax obligations or to resolve disputes. If you request deletion of your data, we will assess your request and inform you of any applicable exceptions.

To request deletion, please contact us using the contact information below.

Right to Opt-Out of Marketing Communications

You have the right to opt-out of receiving marketing communications, such as newsletters, promotional offers, or product recommendations.

You can opt-out by:

• Clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any marketing email we send you.
• Updating your communication preferences in your account settings, if available.
• Contacting us directly to request removal from our mailing lists. Once you opt-out, we will stop sending marketing communications to you, but please note that we may still contact you for transactional or administrative purposes (e.g., regarding your account or service-related matters).

Right to Non-Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your rights under applicable privacy laws. This means that if you choose to exercise your rights, such as requesting access to your data or withdrawing consent, you will not be penalized or treated unfairly.

For example, we will continue to provide you with the services you have requested, even if you opt-out of marketing communications or request the deletion of certain personal information.

Right to Ask a Question or Raise a Concern/Complaint

If you have any concerns regarding how we collect, use, or process your personal information, you have the right to ask questions or file a complaint with us.

If you believe that your rights have been violated or that we are not complying with applicable privacy laws, you can raise a concern directly with us, and we will work to address the issue in a timely manner.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal obligations. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Please review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your personal information.

For inquiries or concerns regarding your Personal Data, please reach out to us via mail at [email protected].

VINNumber.ca assumes the role of the Data Controller in respect of any Personal Data you submit to us or that we collect from or about you. Your privacy matters to us, and we are committed to ensuring your data is handled responsibly and securely.