Transparency
by design.
MotorScribe is built on one principle: your records, your responsibility. These documents define exactly what we do, what we don't do, and what you agree to when you use this app.
Acceptance of Terms
By downloading, installing, accessing, or using MotorScribe (the "App"), you ("User") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree in their entirety, you must immediately cease using the App.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and MotorScribe. Your continued use of the App following any modification constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
Nature of Records — Owner-Declared Only
No record, entry, export, or AI-generated insight produced by MotorScribe constitutes verified, certified, or authenticated vehicle history. The App is a personal record-keeping tool only.
2.1 Owner-Declared Records
All service entries, maintenance logs, mileage records, modification histories, receipts, invoices, and any other data entered into the App are classified as "owner-declared." This means:
- Records are entered solely by you, the user
- MotorScribe does not access, cross-reference, or validate records against any third-party database, including CARFAX, AutoCheck, NMVTIS, DMV records, or any OEM service database
- No AI-generated insight, summary, or analysis constitutes verification of any record
- MotorScribe makes no representation that any record is accurate, complete, or truthful
2.2 AI Processing Limitations
MotorScribe uses artificial intelligence to parse, organize, and summarize documents and images you upload. AI processing is subject to errors, misreadings, and misinterpretations. All AI-generated content is labeled "owner-reported" and must be independently verified before reliance for any purpose, including vehicle purchase, sale, insurance, or legal proceedings.
2.3 No Certification
MotorScribe expressly prohibits use of any App output as a certified, verified, or independently authenticated vehicle history report. The App does not issue certifications of any kind. Any representation to a third party that MotorScribe-generated records constitute verified history is a violation of these Terms and may constitute fraud.
Prohibited Uses
You expressly agree that you will NOT use MotorScribe, or any output generated by MotorScribe, for any of the following purposes:
Violations may constitute federal or state crimes including wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343), motor vehicle odometer fraud (49 U.S.C. § 32703), and various state consumer protection violations. MotorScribe will cooperate fully with law enforcement investigations.
User Responsibility for Accuracy
You are solely and exclusively responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of all records you enter into MotorScribe. This responsibility includes:
- Ensuring all mileage, date, and service data you enter is accurate to the best of your knowledge
- Ensuring uploaded documents (invoices, receipts, photos) are genuine and unaltered
- Clearly indicating to any third party that records are owner-declared and not independently verified
- Not misrepresenting the nature of MotorScribe records to any buyer, insurer, lender, or government agency
MotorScribe bears no liability for records entered in error, in bad faith, or with intent to deceive. You agree to indemnify and hold MotorScribe harmless from any claim, loss, damage, or liability arising from the inaccuracy of your records or their misuse.
Community Builds
5.1 Public Posting
The App may offer a community build showcase allowing users to publicly share vehicle build logs and modification histories ("Community Content"). By posting Community Content, you:
- Confirm the vehicle is legally in your possession or you have explicit authorization from the owner to post
- Acknowledge all Community Content is labeled "Self-reported by owner" and is not verified by MotorScribe
- Grant MotorScribe a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to display your Community Content within the App
5.2 Content Standards
Community Content must not depict, promote, or facilitate illegal activity including stolen vehicles, unlicensed modifications prohibited by law, or emissions fraud. MotorScribe reserves the right to remove any Community Content at its sole discretion without notice.
DMCA & Content Reporting
6.1 Copyright Infringement (DMCA)
If you believe content posted in the App infringes your copyright, submit a DMCA takedown notice containing: (i) your contact information; (ii) identification of the copyrighted work; (iii) identification of the infringing content and its App location; (iv) a good-faith belief statement; and (v) a statement of accuracy under penalty of perjury.
6.2 Reporting Suspected Fraud or Stolen Vehicles
If you believe Community Content depicts a stolen vehicle, cloned VIN, or fraudulent history, submit a report via the in-app reporting function or by email. Include the vehicle's VIN (if visible), the content in question, and the basis for your concern. MotorScribe may remove content, suspend accounts, or refer matters to law enforcement at its sole discretion.
Termination & Account Suspension
MotorScribe reserves the right to suspend, restrict, or permanently terminate your access to the App, with or without notice, for:
- Violation of any provision of these Terms
- Suspected engagement in fraud, misrepresentation, or illegal activity
- Receipt of a credible report that your account is being used to document a stolen vehicle
- Repeated posting of content that violates Community Standards
- Any conduct MotorScribe determines, in its sole discretion, to be harmful to users, third parties, or the integrity of the platform
Upon termination, your right to use the App immediately ceases. Sections 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10 survive termination.
Disclaimers of Warranties
THE APP IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, MOTORSCRIBE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING:
- Any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement
- Any warranty that the App will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses
- Any warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any AI-generated content
- Any warranty that records created in the App reflect the actual condition or history of any vehicle
Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL MOTORSCRIBE, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM:
- Your use of or inability to use the App
- Reliance by any party on records generated through the App
- Any financial loss including vehicle sale disputes, insurance claim denials, or loan decisions arising from use of App records
- Any legal liability incurred by you as a result of fraudulent use of the App
IN NO EVENT SHALL MOTORSCRIBE'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO MOTORSCRIBE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.
Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any dispute shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, except that either party may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction for any actual or threatened violation of intellectual property rights.
YOU WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION.
Changes to These Terms
MotorScribe reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date and, where required by law, through in-app notification. Your continued use of the App after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
Contact
Overview
This Privacy Policy describes how MotorScribe handles information when you use our iOS application. We are committed to transparency about our data practices and to minimizing what we collect.
Your vehicle records are stored locally on your device and in your personal iCloud — not on our servers. Images submitted for AI analysis are processed transiently and not stored by us. We do not sell or rent your data to third parties.
Information We Collect
2.1 Account Information
If you create an account, we collect your email address and display name for authentication. Stored securely in Firebase Authentication and used solely to identify your account.
2.2 Usage Data
We collect anonymized, aggregated usage analytics including feature interactions, crash reports, and performance metrics. This data cannot be used to identify you individually.
2.3 Device Attestation
Firebase App Check collects device attestation data to verify that requests originate from a legitimate installation of MotorScribe. This is a security measure, not personal data collection.
2.4 What We Do NOT Collect
- Your vehicle records, service history, or maintenance logs — stored locally and in your iCloud
- Photos or documents uploaded for AI analysis — processed transiently, not retained by us
- Your VINs, license plates, or registration information
- Payment information — App Store purchases are handled entirely by Apple
- Location data
Local Storage & iCloud
MotorScribe is designed so your vehicle records never pass through our servers. Records are stored on your device and, if you enable iCloud sync, in your personal Apple iCloud account under your Apple ID.
3.1 On-Device Storage
Vehicle records and maintenance logs are stored locally on your device using secure, encrypted local storage. This data is under your control at all times.
3.2 iCloud Synchronization
If you enable iCloud sync, your records are synchronized to your personal iCloud account using Apple's CloudKit. This data is encrypted by Apple, is not accessible to MotorScribe, and is governed by Apple's iCloud Terms and Privacy Policy.
3.3 No Server-Side Record Storage
MotorScribe does not store copies of your vehicle records on our servers. Our backend is used only for account management, App Check attestation, and community features.
AI Processing
When you use MotorScribe's document parsing feature, images and text from documents you upload are transmitted to a third-party AI provider for analysis. Do not upload documents containing sensitive personal information beyond what is necessary for vehicle record purposes.
4.1 How It Works
When you upload a service invoice or receipt for AI parsing, the content is transmitted to Google's Gemini API. The AI extracts structured vehicle service data and returns it to your App.
4.2 Data Handling
Documents submitted for AI analysis are transmitted over encrypted connections, processed transiently, and not stored by MotorScribe after analysis is complete. Processing is subject to Google's data handling policies for the Gemini API.
4.3 AI Output Labeling
All AI-generated insights and summaries are labeled "owner-reported" within the App. AI output is not a verification of any record.
Community Builds — Public Content
The community build showcase is optional and opt-in. By posting publicly, your content becomes visible to all App users and your display name is associated with your post. Posts are labeled "Self-reported by owner." You can delete your Community posts at any time from within the App.
Data Sharing
MotorScribe has never sold, and will never sell, your personal information to advertisers, data brokers, or any third party for commercial purposes.
6.1 Service Providers
We share limited data with service providers who help us operate the App, including Firebase (Google) for authentication and App Check, and Google for AI processing. These providers are contractually obligated to handle data in accordance with applicable privacy law.
6.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government authority, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect safety — including in cases of suspected vehicle fraud or theft.
6.3 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user data may be transferred. We will notify users of any such change via in-app notice or email.
Retention & Deletion
Your vehicle records are stored locally and in your iCloud — deleting the App or iCloud data removes them entirely. MotorScribe holds no copies. Account information is retained while your account is active. To delete your account, contact [email protected]. Deletion is completed within 30 days.
Your Rights
8.1 Access & Portability
Your vehicle records are accessible within the App and in your iCloud at all times. You can export records as PDF directly from the App.
8.2 Deletion
You may delete individual records, all records, Community posts, or your entire account at any time. Account deletion requests are processed within 30 days.
8.3 California Residents (CCPA)
California residents have the right to know what personal information we collect, request deletion, opt out of sale (we do not sell personal information), and not be discriminated against for exercising these rights. Contact [email protected].
8.4 European Users (GDPR)
EEA users have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing of, and port personal data. Our legal basis for processing account information is the performance of our contract with you. Contact [email protected].
Children's Privacy
MotorScribe is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has created an account, contact [email protected] and we will promptly delete the information.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date and, where appropriate, through in-app notification. Continued use after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.