Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

TLC Hero ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect the following personal information when you register:

• Email address
• Display name
• Username
• Phone number (for SMS alerts)
• Profile photo (if provided via Google Sign-In)

2.2 License and Vehicle Information

You may optionally provide:

• TLC License Number
• DMV License Number
• Vehicle Plate Number

2.3 User-Generated Content

• Posts and comments on the community platform
• Marketplace listings (descriptions, images, contact info)
• Reactions and interactions with content

2.4 Usage Data

• Search queries and lookup history
• Page views and navigation patterns
• IP address and device information
• Browser type and operating system

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and maintain our services
• Create and manage user accounts
• Send SMS alerts about tickets and suspensions (with your consent)
• Facilitate marketplace transactions between users
• Display your posts and listings in the community
• Improve and personalize your experience
• Communicate important updates and service announcements
• Analyze usage patterns to improve our platform
• Prevent fraud and ensure platform security

4. SMS Communications

By providing your phone number and checking the SMS consent box during signup, you agree to receive text messages from TLC Hero regarding:

• Ticket and violation notifications
• Suspension alerts
• Important account updates

You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies based on your account activity.

5. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect information:

5.1 Hosted on Google

• Authentication and user management
• Secure database and file storage
• OAuth authentication services

5.2 Stripe

• Payment processing (if applicable)
• We never store full credit card details

5.3 NYC TLC Public Data

• We access public TLC databases for license and vehicle lookups
• This data is publicly available from NYC Open Data sources

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data:

• Publicly: Posts, listings, and profile information you choose to make public
• Service Providers: Third parties who help us operate our platform (Firebase, SMS providers)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger or acquisition

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS)
• Secure authentication via Firebase
• Regular security assessments
• Access controls and monitoring

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Update or correct your information through account settings
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from SMS alerts by replying STOP
• Data Portability: Request your data in a portable format

To exercise these rights, please contact us through the platform or our support channels.

9. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within a reasonable timeframe, except where we are required to retain it for legal compliance.

10. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe we have collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately.

11. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Maintain your login session
• Remember your preferences
• Analyze site usage and improve performance

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences.

12. Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us through the platform or our support channels.

14. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect and how we use it, and the right to request deletion of your information.