Privacy policy

Draft dated 12 November 2026 · covers CarScope for macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS and iPadOS.

At a glance

• There are no CarScope user accounts, ads, third-party analytics or tracking.
• Your device stores vehicle data, recordings, reports and settings.
• Data leaves your device only if you choose to share a file, sync with your own Dropbox, send a developer report or ask the AI in the desktop app through your own OpenAI account.

Data processed on your device

• Vehicle data from the OBD-II adapter: parameter values, trouble codes, freeze frames, readiness monitors, the VIN and counters that control units report.
• What you enter: Garage car details (make, model, year, VIN, notes), odometer readings, maintenance notes and attached receipt photos, recording markers and names, and pre-purchase details (VIN from documents, place).
• Phone sensors, used only if you enable them for a recording: microphone (engine sound), motion sensors (vibration), camera (video, iPhone) and location (speed and position, iPhone).
• Connection details: adapter names and addresses used to reconnect next time.

This data stays in the app’s storage on your device. Deleting the app or recordings removes the data from that device.

When data leaves your device

• Sharing and export. Reports, PDFs, ZIPs and recordings go to the destination you choose when sharing or saving them.
• Dropbox (optional). Connecting your Dropbox account uploads recordings to the CarScope app folder in your Dropbox. A developer report is also uploaded if you press the button. Dropbox’s privacy policy applies. You can disconnect at any time.
• Phone ↔ computer over Wi-Fi. Pair devices with a one-time code to exchange live readings, sensor data, layouts and recordings directly over your local network. This traffic does not pass through CarScope servers.
• AI analysis (desktop app, optional). When you ask a question, your privacy setting controls what the app sends to OpenAI: aggregated values and short windows of readings, sound features or a short audio clip, and attached images. In “local only” mode, nothing is sent. Cloud voice recognition sends up to 60 seconds of audio to OpenAI. Requests use your own API key or ChatGPT sign-in. OpenAI’s terms and privacy policy apply. The app logs time and token counts locally, without the text.
• Reports to the developer (optional). Crash reports are saved on your device. Connection statistics are anonymous and off by default. If you enable them, the app collects adapter type, protocol, the step where a connection stopped, durations, error type and time rounded to the hour. A report leaves your device only when you choose “Send report to developer” and a destination. Before packing the report, the app masks VINs, chassis numbers, coordinates, file paths, e-mail addresses, MAC addresses, public IP addresses and user names. Reports never include recordings, audio, video, photos, AI questions or answers, keys or accounts.

Permissions

• Bluetooth — connects to a Bluetooth OBD-II adapter. On iPhone, it also keeps recordings with a Bluetooth LE adapter running in the background.
• Local network / Wi-Fi — connects Wi-Fi adapters, links to a computer and shares live readings over Wi-Fi.
• Microphone — records engine sound and provides voice input for desktop AI.
• Motion sensors and camera (iPhone) — record vibration and video.
• Location (iPhone, “while using”) — records speed and position if you enable GPS, including when recording continues in the background.
• Notifications (Android) — show a notice while a recording or connection is running.

Children

CarScope is not intended for children. We do not knowingly collect their data.

Your choices

You can delete recordings, cars and reports in the app. You can disconnect Dropbox, switch off statistics, choose an AI privacy mode or leave AI unused. You can also revoke permissions in your system settings.

Changes and contact

We will update this page if the app’s behaviour changes. You’ll find the date at the top. For questions, visit Support.