Privacy Policy
Last Updated: January 2025
Quick Answer
1. Introduction
Welcome to First Cars ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website firstcars.ca (the "Site") and use our services.
By using our Site, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Site.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide
We may collect information you voluntarily provide, including:
- Province of residence
- Car buying experience level
- Timeline for purchasing a vehicle
- Current situation (student, working professional, newcomer, parent)
- Budget preferences
- Quiz responses and preferences
2.2 Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our Site, we automatically collect certain information, including:
- Device information (browser type, operating system)
- IP address and general location
- Pages visited and time spent on pages
- Referring website or source
- Click patterns and user interactions
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information for the following purposes:
- To personalize your experience and provide relevant content
- To improve our website and services
- To analyze usage patterns and trends
- To provide accurate province-specific information (taxes, fees, regulations)
- To communicate with you about our services
- To detect and prevent fraud or abuse
4. Analytics and Tracking
We use analytics services including Google Analytics and PostHog to help us understand how visitors use our Site. These services collect information about your use of the Site, including your IP address, browser type, and pages visited.
We use anonymous identifiers stored in your browser's local storage to maintain session continuity and provide a personalized experience without requiring account creation.
5. Data Storage and Security
Your information is stored securely using industry-standard encryption and security measures. We use Convex for data storage, which employs robust security practices to protect your data.
While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Third-Party Services
Our Site may contain links to third-party websites or services, including:
- Vehicle listing platforms (e.g., AutoTrader, Kijiji Autos)
- Financial institutions and lenders
- Insurance providers
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
7. Your Rights Under Canadian Privacy Law
Under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy laws, you have the right to:
- Access your personal information that we hold
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Withdraw consent for certain data processing
- Request deletion of your personal information
- File a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
8. Children's Privacy
Our Site is not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this 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 "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Site after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Email: privacy@firstcars.ca
Website: firstcars.ca