1. The Information We Collect

We collect information to provide and improve our services, facilitate transactions, and ensure a secure marketplace. The types of personal information we collect include:

A. Information You Provide Directly

This includes information submitted during registration, listing, and use of our services:

B. Information Collected Automatically

When you use the Platform, we automatically collect certain technical and usage information:

• Usage Data: Details about how you use our Platform, including search queries, pages viewed, time spent on pages, and clicks.
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type, and mobile network information.
• Location Data: General location derived from your IP address or, if you permit, precise geographic location via your mobile device.

C. Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from external sources, including:

• Third-party Service Providers: Information from inspectors, vehicle history report providers, and finance partners.
• Social Media: If you choose to link your Carlots.ng account with social media.
• Public Sources: Information available in public records for verification purposes.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following primary purposes:

1. To Provide and Manage the Platform: To create and manage your account, publish vehicle listings, facilitate the connection between users, and deliver the *Buy4Me* service.
2. To Facilitate Transactions and Services: To process payments, collect service fees, and facilitate introductions to our authorized third-party finance or escrow partners.
3. Security and Verification (KYC): To verify your identity, combat fraud, prevent illegal activities, and ensure compliance with our Terms & Conditions.
4. Communication: To send you service announcements, updates, security alerts, and respond to your inquiries or support requests.
5. Personalization and Improvement: To analyze usage trends, personalize your experience, optimize our Platform’s performance, and develop new services (e.g., improving the Price Checker tool).
6. Marketing: To send you promotional materials, newsletters, or offers about vehicles and services. You can opt-out of these communications at any time.
7. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: To comply with legal obligations, enforce our Terms & Conditions, resolve disputes, and protect the rights and safety of our users and the public.

3. Disclosure and Sharing of Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. We only share your information with third parties in the limited circumstances described below:

• With Other Users: We share your relevant contact information (e.g., name, phone number) with the counterparty (buyer, seller, or renter) to facilitate direct communication and transaction completion.
• With Third-Party Service Providers: We engage trusted third-party companies and individuals to perform services on our behalf, such as payment processing, hosting, vehicle inspection, and finance facilitation.
• Business Transfers: Your personal information may be transferred to a successor entity in the event of a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale of assets.
• Legal Requirements: If required to do so by Nigerian law, a court order, or when necessary to protect and defend the rights or property of Carlots.ng.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to protect your personal data from loss, unauthorized access, or disclosure. These measures include:

• Encryption: Using SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission.
• Access Control: Restricting access to your information only to necessary personnel.

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Data, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure.

5. Data Retention

We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Upon account termination, we may retain certain information for a limited period to comply with legal obligations and prevent fraud.

6. Your Rights

As a user of Carlots.ng, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right to Access: You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
• Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): You have the right to request the deletion of your personal data, subject to our legal and contractual obligations.
• Right to Object: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes.
• Withdraw Consent: You have the right to withdraw consent where we are relying on it to process your data.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Carlots.ng uses "cookies" and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our Platform and personalize your experience.

• Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences, analyze usage patterns, and maintain your login session.

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Service.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date." You are advised to review this Policy periodically for any changes.