Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 9, 2026

AutoMynded ("we," "our," or "us"), developed by Pearlcity LLC, respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what data AutoMynded collects, how it is used, and the choices available to you when you use the AutoMynded application.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Vehicle records: The make, model, year, powertrain type (Gas, Diesel, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Battery Electric, Fuel Cell), current mileage, and optional VIN, trim level, color, and nickname for each vehicle you add. Stored locally on your device.
• Photos of vehicle issues, parts, and service receipts: Photos you take with the in-app camera or pick from your photo library — warning lights, parts, fluid spots, service receipts. Stored locally on your device in the AutoMynded app sandbox.
• Optional descriptions: Free-text one-liners you may type to add context to a diagnosis (for example, "engine has been running rough for 2 days" or "noticed this fluid under the car this morning"). Stored locally.
• Service history entries: Manual service entries, AI-extracted receipt details (shop name, date, mileage at service, line items, total cost, category overrides), and any notes you add. Stored locally.
• Mileage trip logs: Trip start / end dates, optional locations, miles, purpose, and (for Pro users) GPS-tracked routes when you explicitly start a tracked trip. Stored locally.
• Charging sessions (BEV / PHEV / HEV only): Optional session logs with station name, kWh added, cost, start / end battery percent, and notes. Stored locally.
• Range readings and OTA update logs (BEV / PHEV / HEV only): Optional logs of your full-charge range and any over-the-air software updates installed. Stored locally.
• Maintenance schedule completions: When you mark a maintenance item as done, the date and mileage are recorded. Stored locally.

Automatically Collected Information

• Free tier usage counts: The number of AI photo diagnoses (out of 5) and receipt extractions (out of 5) used this month is stored locally to enforce free tier limits. Counters reset at the start of each calendar month.
• Subscription status: Managed by Apple's StoreKit framework. We do not see or store your payment information.
• Crash reports: If AutoMynded crashes, anonymous diagnostic information may be sent via Firebase Crashlytics to help us identify and fix issues. This may include the device model, iOS version, AutoMynded version, the active vehicle's powertrain type, the current view, and your subscription tier. No personally identifiable information is collected.
• Device information: Device model, operating system version, and AutoMynded app version may be referenced for compatibility and troubleshooting.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To generate a powertrain-aware diagnosis from your photo and optional description, including a severity rating (Urgent / Soon / Informational), a plain-English explanation, a "what to tell your mechanic" summary, and a DIY hint when applicable.
• To extract structured data from a service receipt photo — shop, date, mileage at service, line items with categories, and total cost — so your service history builds itself with minimal typing.
• To generate a powertrain-aware default maintenance schedule when you add a vehicle (for example, no oil changes for a battery-electric vehicle; tire rotations every 5,000 miles for an EV vs. industry-standard intervals for an ICE vehicle).
• For Pro users, to generate an annual narrative summary of your vehicle's year — total miles, total spend, top categories, top shops, and observations — for tax and recordkeeping purposes.
• To save every diagnosis, service entry, mileage trip, and (for EVs) charging session to your local History so you can refer back to it later.
• To manage your subscription status via Apple StoreKit.
• To improve app performance and respond to support requests.

3. Third-Party Services

Google Gemini AI (via Firebase AI Logic)

When you tap Diagnose or Log Receipt, the following data is sent to Google's Gemini AI service for processing:

• The photo you took or selected from your library.
• The make, model, year, powertrain type (Gas / Diesel / Hybrid / Plug-in Hybrid / Battery Electric / Fuel Cell), and current mileage of the active vehicle. This is the differentiator that lets AutoMynded give powertrain-correct advice — for example, never suggesting an oil change on a Tesla.
• The optional one-line description you typed (if any).

For Pro users only, when you tap Generate Annual Summary, your aggregated yearly totals (total miles, total spend, top categories by spend, top shops, total diagnoses, severity breakdown) are sent for narrative summarization. Individual diagnoses, photos, and receipts are not re-sent as part of the summary request.

Your name, location, contact information, VIN (if you entered one), and any other personal identifiers are never sent to Google. Google processes the data we do send according to their Privacy Policy and Generative AI Terms of Service. We do not retain copies of your AI requests on our infrastructure.

Firebase

Used by AutoMynded for Remote Config (managing the Gemini model identifier, feature flags, and the IRS standard mileage rate), for the Firebase AI Logic SDK that routes your AI requests to Google Gemini, and for Firebase Crashlytics (anonymous crash reporting). Firebase App Check verifies that requests come from a genuine AutoMynded app instance. No personal user data is stored in Firebase by AutoMynded.

Apple StoreKit

Subscription purchases, restorations, and management are handled entirely by Apple through StoreKit 2. Payment processing is governed by Apple's Privacy Policy. Pearlcity LLC never sees or stores your payment information.

Apple Core Location (Pro feature, opt-in)

Pro users may optionally enable GPS auto-tracking of mileage trips. AutoMynded uses Core Location with the When in Use authorization scope only — your location is read only while a trip is actively in progress, never in the background. The trip route is stored locally on your device. Location data is not transmitted to any server, Pearlcity LLC, or Google. You can decline or revoke location access at any time in your device's Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > AutoMynded; trip mileage can still be entered manually.

4. Data Storage & Security

• All your vehicles, diagnoses, photos, service entries, mileage trips, charging sessions, range readings, and OTA logs are stored locally on your device using Apple's SwiftData framework.
• Photos are stored as JPEG data inside AutoMynded's app sandbox, accessible only to AutoMynded.
• AI requests are transmitted securely via HTTPS through Google's Firebase AI Logic SDK.
• AutoMynded does not operate any servers that store your personal vehicle, diagnosis, service-history, or trip data.
• AutoMynded does not currently sync between iPhone and iPad — each device has its own local store.

5. Data Sent to AI (Explicit Disclosure)

When you use AI features, the following data is sent to Google's Gemini AI service for processing:

• The photo you take or pick from your library when you start a diagnosis or receipt extraction.
• The make, model, year, powertrain type, and current mileage of the active vehicle.
• The optional one-line description you typed for that diagnosis (if any).
• For Pro annual summaries: aggregated yearly totals only (total miles, total spend, top categories, top shops, total diagnoses by severity). Individual records are not re-sent.

This data is:

• Sent only when you explicitly tap Diagnose, Log Receipt, or Generate Annual Summary.
• Not stored permanently by AutoMynded or Pearlcity LLC on any server.
• Subject to Google's data processing policies once received.

You can revoke AI data consent at any time in the app's Settings screen. Revoking consent disables all AI features (diagnosis, receipt extraction, annual summary). Your existing History entries continue to be readable, your maintenance schedule continues to display, and your subscription status continues to be managed normally.

6. Data Retention

• All your vehicle, diagnosis, photo, service-history, mileage, charging, and range data is stored locally on your device. Deleting the AutoMynded app removes all data.
• You can delete individual records (diagnoses, service entries, trips, charging sessions) from within the History tab or from each vehicle's detail screen at any time.
• You can archive a vehicle to remove it from active flows while keeping its history available for your records.
• Pearlcity LLC does not retain any copies of your vehicle, diagnosis, service-history, or trip data on any server.

7. Your Rights and Choices

• Revoke AI data consent: Toggle "AI Features" off in Settings at any time. The app's existing History is still readable; new diagnoses, receipt extractions, and annual summaries cannot be generated until consent is restored.
• Delete individual records: Swipe to delete (iOS) or tap delete (iPad) any diagnosis, service entry, mileage trip, or charging session from the History tab or the vehicle detail screen.
• Archive a vehicle: Swipe to archive a vehicle from the Vehicles tab. Archived vehicles are removed from active flows but their history remains accessible.
• Delete all data: Uninstall AutoMynded to remove all locally stored data.
• Manage camera, photo library, and location access: Adjust or revoke permission in your device's Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera (or Photos, or Location Services) > AutoMynded.
• Request information: Contact appfactory1970@gmail.com with any data privacy questions.

8. Mechanic / Service Disclaimer

9. Driving Safety

AutoMynded is designed to be used while your vehicle is parked. Do not interact with the app, take photos, or read AI-generated content while driving. Always pull over to a safe location before using the app.

10. Children's Privacy

AutoMynded is designed for adult drivers responsible for their own vehicles. The app is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy and updating the effective date at the top of this page. Your continued use of AutoMynded after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Us