Privacy Policy — The Install Studio

This Privacy Policy describes how The Install Studio (“The Install Studio,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and otherwise processes personal information in connection with our websites, web and mobile applications, customer portal, lead intake forms, communications, and related services (collectively, the “Services”). By accessing or using the Services, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information:

Information you provide: name, email, phone, mailing address, vehicle details, photos, payment information, account credentials, messages, quote and appointment details, and any other information you submit through forms, portals, chat, or email.
Information from third parties: leads, contact details, and engagement data we receive from advertising and lead platforms (such as Meta/Facebook Lead Ads, Google, TikTok), authentication providers, payment processors, and partners you authorize.
Automatically collected information: IP address, device identifiers, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, clicks, session duration, approximate location derived from IP, and similar usage data collected via cookies, pixels, SDKs, log files, and similar technologies.
Communications: records of calls, SMS/MMS, emails, and chat exchanges with us, including content, metadata, and where permitted by law, recordings.

2. How We Use Information

We use personal information to:

provide, operate, maintain, and improve the Services;
create and manage accounts, authenticate users, and provide customer and technical support;
process transactions, send quotes, invoices, receipts, appointment confirmations, and service updates;
respond to inquiries and leads, including via phone, SMS, email, and messaging platforms;
send marketing, promotional, and transactional communications, and personalize content;
measure, analyze, and improve our marketing, advertising, and customer experience;
detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, security incidents, and other harmful or illegal activity;
comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal process, and enforceable governmental requests; and
establish, exercise, or defend legal claims and enforce our terms.

3. Legal Bases (EEA/UK)

Where the EU/UK GDPR applies, we process personal data on the following bases: (a) performance of a contract; (b) our legitimate interests in operating and improving the Services, marketing, and security, balanced against your rights; (c) your consent, which you may withdraw at any time; and (d) compliance with legal obligations.

4. How We Share Information

We share personal information with:

Service providers and processors that perform functions on our behalf (e.g., hosting, analytics, email/SMS delivery, payment processing, customer support, CRM, advertising measurement);
Advertising and analytics partners to measure and optimize advertising and to deliver tailored ads, subject to your choices;
Business partners (such as dealerships, installers, and shops) to whom you direct us to send your inquiry or who fulfill your requested products or services;
Corporate transactions: in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of assets;
Legal and safety: when we believe disclosure is required by law, regulation, legal process, or to protect rights, property, or safety; and
With your consent or at your direction.

We do not sell personal information for money. To the extent “sale” or “sharing” under U.S. state privacy laws (e.g., CCPA/CPRA) includes cross-context behavioral advertising, you may opt out as described in Section 8.

5. Cookies and Tracking

We and our partners use cookies, pixels, SDKs, local storage, and similar technologies for essential site functions, analytics, personalization, and advertising. You can control cookies through your browser settings and, where available, our cookie banner. Disabling some technologies may affect Service functionality.

Referral and campaign information. When you arrive at one of our pages from an advertisement, search result, or link, we store the campaign identifiers included in that web address (for example utm_source, utm_campaign, fbclid, or gclid) in your browser's local storage for up to 30 days. If you later submit a quote or contact form, that information is attached to your request so we know which advertisement or link brought you to us. It is not shared with the advertising platform. We do not store this information for visitors located in regions that require prior consent for such tracking. You can remove it at any time by clearing your browser's site data, or by browsing in a private window.

Meta Pixel on shop landing pages. When a shop adds a Meta Pixel to one of its campaign landing pages, that page sends Meta Platforms, Inc. a record that you viewed the page and, after you submit a request, a "Lead" event (no form answers are included). Meta and the shop use this to measure and improve their advertising. Visitors in the EEA, UK, Switzerland, Brazil, or whose location cannot be determined are asked first and the Pixel only loads if they accept. Your choice is recorded with the date and notice version, and you can change it at any time with the "Cookie settings" link at the bottom of the page. You can also manage Meta ad preferences in your Meta account settings.

6. SMS / Text Messaging

By providing a mobile number, you consent to receive transactional and marketing SMS/MMS messages from us and our service providers at the number provided, including via autodialer. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Frequency varies. Reply STOP to opt out and HELP for help.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Services, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Retention periods vary based on the type of information and the purposes for which it is processed.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, port, restrict, or object to our processing of your personal information, and to withdraw consent or appeal a decision. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Montana, and other U.S. state residents, and EEA/UK residents, may have additional rights, including the right to opt out of targeted advertising, profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects, and any “sale” or “sharing” of personal information.

To exercise rights, email support@theinstallstudio.com. We will verify your request as required by law. You may designate an authorized agent to act on your behalf. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

9. Children

The Services are not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA/UK), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

10. International Transfers

We may transfer, store, and process personal information in the United States and other countries that may have different data protection laws than your jurisdiction. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses.

11. Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. Third-Party Sites

The Services may link to third-party websites and services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies before providing personal information.

13. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the revised version with a new effective date. Material changes will be notified as required by law.

14. Contact Us

The Install Studio
Email: support@theinstallstudio.com