Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy is for everyone who interacts with ApprovalHeroes in any way. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Customers and Visitors: Whether you're just browsing our Platform or using our services, this policy applies to you.
• Professional Partners: If you’re a car dealer professional, whether working individually or through a business, and interested in joining our network, this policy covers our interactions with you.
• Job Applicants: Please note, if you're applying for a job with us, there's a separate privacy policy, which you can access during the application process.

In short, if you communicate with us or use our services in any capacity, you're covered by this policy.

Personal information is any data about you that can identify you, either on its own or when combined with other information. Examples include:

• Your name.
• Email addresses.
• Contact details like phone numbers.
• Other similar details you provide to us.

When we mix your information with lots of other data, so it doesn’t identify you directly (this is what we call 'aggregated data'), it's not considered personal information anymore. For instance, if we analyze trends without linking them to any individual, that's aggregated data.

The personal information we collect varies depending on how you interact with us. In the context of automotive services, car dealership interactions, and car loan applications, we generally collect the following types of information:

• Identifiers and Contact Details: This includes your name, address, email, and phone number, which we collect when you create an account, subscribe to our services, sign up for offers and promotions, or submit service requests.
• Vehicle and Loan Information: Details about your vehicle preferences, the type of car you're interested in, your budget, and loan application information, including your credit history and employment details.
• Browsing Activity: Information related to your online activities, such as your IP address, device identifier, and browsing history on our platform, gathered through cookies and similar technologies.
• Interactions with Our Communications: Data on how you interact with our emails, like opening them or clicking on links, collected automatically through embedded data collection technologies.
• Transactional Information: Data about your transactions, including billing and delivery details for vehicle purchases or services, and payment information.
• Demographic and Statistical Data: We may collect aggregated or statistical data related to automotive trends or preferences, like popular car models or common loan terms in your area. This type of data typically doesn’t identify you personally.
• Additional Information You Provide: Any other information you give us during our interactions, whether through our website, in person at a dealership, or during the loan application process.

For more details on how this information is collected, please refer to the 'How is your personal information collected?' section.

We gather personal information about you from various sources to provide and enhance our car dealership and loan services. Here’s how we collect this information:

• Directly from You: This includes information you provide when you create an account, sign up for newsletters or promotions, register for our services, or submit a service request. For example, this can be your contact details, vehicle preferences, or financial information for loan applications.
• Automated Collection Through Our Platform: As you use our Platform and Services, we automatically collect certain information like your browsing activities, preferences, and interactions on our site, primarily through cookies and similar technologies.
• Affiliated Automotive Entities and Partners: We may receive information about you from partners within our automotive network. This could include car manufacturers, financial institutions, and other service providers in the automotive sector. These partnerships help us offer relevant services and marketing activities to you.
• Third-Party Sources: We collect information from various third parties, including:
  • Service Providers: These may include analytics providers who help us understand how customers engage with our Platform or assist in customer support.
  • Advertising Partners: We might receive information about your interactions with our advertisements from marketing services.
  • Business Partners: Information may come from other businesses in the automotive industry, especially those who refer you to our services or collaborate with us in providing services to you.
• Combining Data for Enhanced Services: We may also gather data from public sources and combine them with the information we have. This can include market trends, financing options, and other relevant automotive industry data to enhance our services and customer experience.

If you have any questions about the information we collect or how it’s used, please don't hesitate to contact us as detailed in the 'How Can You Contact Us?' section of this policy.

When you engage with our Platform and services in the automotive context, there are various instances where you might voluntarily provide us with personal information. This could happen when you:

• Visit Our Platform: Whether it's for browsing our vehicle selection, checking out loan options, or learning about our services.
• Participate in Contests or Promotions: Engaging in activities where you might share details like your name and contact information.
• Respond to Surveys: Providing feedback or opinions on our services or the automotive industry.
• Create an Account: Signing up to access more personalized services, which requires basic contact details.
• Inquire About Services: When you ask about specific vehicles, financing options, or other services we offer, and provide details to assist your query.
• Interactions and Communications: Any direct communication with us, whether it’s for service appointments, loan applications, or general inquiries.

In these situations, we may ask you for information such as your name, email address, mailing address, phone number, and other relevant details. This helps us communicate with you effectively, respond to your inquiries, and provide the specific services you’re interested in. Remember, providing this information is entirely voluntary, and we collect it with your consent and for the stated purposes.

Cookies and Other Technologies: When you use our Platform, we automatically collect certain information to enhance your experience and our services. This includes using cookies - small text files that help recognize your browser or device. They gather information like:

• Your device's IP address and your Internet service provider's IP.
• Browser type and version.
• Date and time of your visit.
• Pages you visit and activities on our Platform.

Cookies help us understand how you interact with our site, allowing us to tailor our services to better suit your needs, such as showing you cars or loan options you might be interested in. You can set your browser to notify you about cookies or decline them, but this might affect some Platform features.

Geolocation: We use your IP address to determine your general location (like city or province) to provide services relevant to your area, such as locating nearby car dealerships. With your permission, we can also access your device's precise location for more specific services.

Telephone and Online Chat: Conversations with our team via phone or online chat may be recorded. This is for training and quality control to ensure we provide the best service. We'll always inform you before recording any conversation.

Advertising Partners: We collaborate with partners who might use cookies or similar technologies to present you with advertisements that might interest you. Note that our Privacy Policy does not cover third-party websites or their ads.

By using our Platform, you acknowledge our use of essential cookies and consent to non-essential cookies as detailed in our Cookie Policy. For more on how we use cookies and how you can manage them, please see our Cookie Policy.

If you have any concerns or want to opt out of certain data collections, you can contact us as outlined in the 'How Can You Contact Us?' section.

ApprovalHeroes collects and uses your personal information for a variety of reasons, all aimed at enhancing your experience with our automotive services. Here's why we do it:

• To Respond to Your Requests: Whether you're seeking information about a vehicle, inquiring about a loan, or interested in our other services, we use your information to provide timely and relevant responses.
• Service Provision and Improvement: We use your details to:
  • Refer you to relevant services within our network, such as financial partners for car loans or vehicle information.
  • Monitor the performance and progress of your inquiries and the services you subscribe to.
  • Facilitate communication between you and our partners, as needed, for service-related purposes.
  • Resolve operational issues and improve software functionality.
• Personalization: Your information helps us tailor your experience on our Platform, ensuring you see vehicles, services, and offers that match your interests.
• Marketing and Promotions: We may send you information about new services, promotions, or updates, strictly related to our automotive services. Rest assured, we do this with your consent, and you can opt out at any time.
• Research and Data Analysis: We might anonymize your data (remove personal identifiers) for research purposes, like understanding market trends or improving our services.
• Electronic Communications: If you've provided us with your email or phone number, we may send you occasional updates or offers related to our services. You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time.
• Targeted Advertising: Using cookies and similar technologies, we can show you advertising that aligns with your interests in cars or related services. This is based on your activity on our Platform. For more details, refer to the 'Personal Information Automatically Collected' section and our Cookie Policy.

Remember, your personal information is used to enhance the services we provide to you in the automotive sector. If you prefer not to have your information used for certain purposes, you can withdraw your consent following the instructions in the 'What Are Your Choices Regarding the Use of Your Personal Information?' section.

Your personal information is an important aspect of our services, and we share it responsibly. Here’s who we might share your information with:

• Consent and Legal Basis: We share your personal information with your consent or as required by law. We ensure all sharing complies with applicable legal standards.
• Referral to Automotive Professionals: For services like vehicle maintenance or loan processing, we might share your information with relevant professionals in the automotive industry. We only share what’s necessary to fulfill your service requests.
• Group Entities: We may share your information with entities within our automotive network to provide integrated services, ensure data accuracy, and comply with laws. For example, this might include sharing with financial partners for loan processing. We anonymize or de-identify data for research or improvement purposes, ensuring your privacy is safeguarded.
• Service Providers: Third-party suppliers and service providers, such as payment processors, analytics companies, and advertising partners, may access your information to perform tasks on our behalf. They are bound by our privacy standards and legal requirements.
• Government Disclosures: If legally required, we may share information with government bodies, such as for investigations or compliance with legal orders.
• Business Transactions: In cases of potential business transactions like mergers or acquisitions involving our dealership network, personal information might be shared with relevant parties under strict legal guidelines.

Rest assured, we take every step to ensure the protection and proper use of your personal information across all these scenarios. For any concerns or questions about how your information is shared, please refer to the 'How Can You Contact Us?' section.

ApprovalHeroes may engage with partners or use service providers located outside of Canada to enhance our services. While our primary customer base is in Canada, these international collaborations can involve sharing personal information as necessary for service enhancement and delivery.

• Data Protection Measures: We commit to upholding your data privacy irrespective of where our partners or service providers are located. Robust contractual measures and data protection safeguards are in place to ensure your personal information receives an equivalent level of protection during these transfers.
• Jurisdictional Compliance: Be aware that when your personal information is processed in other countries, it may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions. This could include legal requirements to disclose information to government bodies under certain circumstances.
• Transparency and Consent: We maintain transparency about our data sharing practices. Your consent will be sought for any data transfer that occurs as part of our international partnerships.

For more information on how we handle international data transfers, or if you have specific concerns, please contact us as indicated in the 'How Can You Contact Us?' section.

At ApprovalHeroes, we understand the importance of your right to access, rectify, or modify your personal information. Our systems, including our CMS, CRM, and form submission tools, support these processes:

• Accessing Your Information: You can request access to the personal information we have about you. This includes understanding how it is used and shared.
• Rectifying or Updating Information: If your information is incorrect, incomplete, or needs updating, you have the right to have it rectified. Keeping your information accurate helps us provide better services to you.
• Deleting Your Information: Should you wish to have your personal data removed from our records, you can request this, and we will process it in accordance with applicable laws. Note that some data may need to be retained for legal or regulatory reasons.

Process and Compliance:

• Upon receiving your request, we’ll take the necessary steps through our CMS and CRM systems to address it promptly.
• We adhere to privacy laws and regulations, ensuring your data is managed appropriately.
• For direct requests, modifications, or deletions, you can contact us using the details provided in the 'How Can You Contact Us?' section.

We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of your personal data and ensuring that you have control over it.

At ApprovalHeroes, we empower you with control over your personal information and how it's used:

• Managing Your Preferences: To view or change your choices regarding the use and sharing of your personal information, you can click on the 'Privacy settings' in your account.
• Modifying Consent: You have the right to withdraw or modify your consent regarding our use and disclosure of your personal information. This can be done by emailing us (as detailed in the 'How Can You Contact Us?' section) or through your account's privacy settings. However, there are legal or contractual situations where we might still need to process your information, such as for legal obligations, research purposes, or other legitimate business activities.
  • Note on Service Impact: Please be aware that refusing to provide personal information or withdrawing consent could affect our ability to provide you with certain services.
• Electronic Communications: You can opt-out of promotional or marketing communications at any time. This can be done by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails or adjusting your 'Privacy settings.' Even if you opt out of marketing messages, we may still contact you for non-marketing purposes, like transactions or service-related information.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: You have the option to block cookies through your browser settings. Additionally, you can manage your preferences for cookies and data collection technologies either through the Cookie Preference Center in your account or on our Platform. For detailed instructions, refer to our Cookie Policy.

Your choices and preferences are important to us, and we are committed to respecting them while providing you with the best possible service.

At ApprovalHeroes, we use cookies and similar data collection technologies to enhance your experience on our platform. These technologies help us understand user preferences, improve website functionality, and provide personalized content and advertising.

• Cookie Policy: For detailed information on the types of cookies we use, how we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences, please refer to our dedicated Cookie Policy.
• Brief Overview and User Control: Our cookies range from essential ones necessary for website operation to those used for analytics and advertising. You have the ability to control the use of cookies through your browser settings or our Cookie Preference Center.
• Transparency and Compliance: We're committed to using cookies responsibly and in compliance with privacy laws. We respect your privacy choices and provide easy ways for you to manage your preferences.

For any specific queries or concerns about how we use cookies and related technologies, please feel free to contact us or refer to our comprehensive Cookie Policy.

Our approach to retaining your personal information is guided by a balance between meeting your service needs and complying with legal obligations:

• Retention Period: We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, such as providing services, maintaining our business records, and complying with legal requirements. While we don’t set a universal retention period, we regularly review the necessity of retaining data.
• Examples of Legitimate Needs: This includes retaining information for customer support, accounting, dispute resolution, and adhering to data retention laws that apply to our business.
• Post-Business Relationship: Even if you cease doing business with us, certain information might still need to be retained to comply with legal obligations, such as tax laws and regulations.
• Secure Destruction and Anonymization: When personal information is no longer required, we ensure its safe disposal or anonymization. This process is conducted following strict security protocols to prevent unauthorized access. We destroy or anonymize your data in a way that ensures you can no longer be identified, either directly or indirectly.

We are committed to handling your personal information responsibly and securely throughout its lifecycle, from collection to destruction. If you have any questions about our data retention practices, please contact us as outlined in the 'How Can You Contact Us?' section.

At ApprovalHeroes, we understand that privacy practices evolve over time. Hence, this Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect new legal requirements, changes in our business operations, or advancements in technology:

• Reviewing the Policy: We recommend that you review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your personal information.
• Notification of Changes: If we make changes to this policy, we'll update the 'effective date' at the top of the document. For significant or major changes — such as those that materially alter the ways in which we process your personal data or impact your rights — we will notify you more directly. This could be via email, notifications on our website, or other means, in compliance with applicable laws.
• Definition of Major Changes: Major changes might include, but are not limited to, new data processing practices, changes in data retention periods, or alterations in user rights.

We are committed to maintaining transparency about our privacy practices. If you have any questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy or its updates, please reach out to us as detailed in the 'How Can You Contact Us?' section.

We highly value your privacy and are here to address any concerns or questions you might have regarding the protection of your personal information and our data protection practices. Here’s how you can reach us:

• Email Our Privacy Officer: For detailed queries, concerns, or complaints, please contact our Privacy Officer at [email protected]. This officer ensures that our data handling practices are compliant and user-centric.
• Phone Contact: For immediate assistance or inquiries, feel free to call us at 877-375-4376. Our team is ready to help with your privacy-related questions.
• Mailing Address: If you prefer to contact us by mail, you can send your inquiries to Suite 111, 9218 - Ellerslie Road SW, Edmonton, AB, T6X 0K6. We welcome your letters and will respond promptly.
• Information to Provide: When reaching out, kindly include your name, contact details, and a brief description of your request or concern. This will help us address your issue more efficiently.
• Response Expectations: Upon receiving your communication, whether by email, phone, or mail, we will strive to respond promptly. Our standard response time for emails is within 48 hours.

Your privacy concerns are important to us, and we are committed to ensuring that your experience with ApprovalHeroes is secure, respectful, and transparent.