Privacy Policy
Smile Cars® | smilecars.net
Effective Date: June 2026
1. Introduction
Smile Cars® ("we", "us", or "our") is a self-drive car rental company based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, operating through smilecars.net. We are committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of our customers and website visitors.
This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and your rights in relation to it. By using our website or services, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
2. Information We Collect
a) Information You Provide Directly
- Full name
- Mobile number and email address
- Aadhaar card number or passport details (for identity verification as required by law)
- Driving licence number and details
- Employee ID or business proof
- Pickup/drop location and travel details
- Payment-related information (UPI ID, bank transfer references)
b) Information Collected Automatically
- IP address and device type
- Browser type and version
- Pages visited and time spent on our website
- Referral source (e.g., Google Ads, organic search)
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
c) Information from WhatsApp & Calls
When you contact us via WhatsApp (+91 9962097400 / +91 9962056400) or call our office numbers, we may retain records of these communications for booking management and quality purposes.
3. How We Use Your Information
- To process and confirm your car rental booking
- To verify your identity and driving eligibility as required by applicable law
- To deliver the vehicle to your specified location and manage the rental
- To communicate booking confirmations, updates, and reminders
- To process payments and maintain billing records
- To provide 24/7 customer support and handle emergencies
- To comply with legal and regulatory obligations under Indian law
- To improve our website, services, and customer experience
- To send promotional offers or updates (only with your consent)
4. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data on the following legal grounds under applicable Indian data protection law and the Information Technology Act, 2000:
- Contractual necessity: To fulfil your rental booking agreement
- Legal obligation: To comply with KYC, road transport, and taxation laws
- Legitimate interest: To manage our business operations and improve our services
- Consent: For marketing communications (which you may withdraw at any time)
5. Sharing of Information
We do not sell or rent your personal data to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:
- With payment processors (Google Pay, PhonePe, bank partners) solely for processing transactions
- With law enforcement or government authorities when required by law or court order
- With our airline and corporate partners (SriLankan Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Emirates) for bookings made under corporate accounts, with your awareness
- With website hosting or technology service providers who support our operations, under strict data confidentiality obligations
All third parties with whom we share data are required to handle it securely and in accordance with applicable law.
6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Remember your preferences and session information
- Analyse website traffic and user behaviour (via Google Analytics or similar)
- Measure the effectiveness of our Google Ads campaigns
You can disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
7. Google Ads & Remarketing
We use Google Ads to promote our services. Google may use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website. You can opt out of Google's use of cookies by visiting Google's Ads Settings at https://adssettings.google.com. We comply with Google's advertising policies, including providing this Privacy Policy as required.
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:
- Fulfil the purposes described in this policy
- Comply with legal, accounting, or reporting obligations (typically 7 years for financial records under Indian law)
- Resolve disputes and enforce our rental agreements
After the applicable retention period, your data will be securely deleted or anonymised.
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or alteration. This includes secure servers, restricted access controls, and encrypted communication channels.
However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Your Rights
As a customer, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal obligations)
- Withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time
- Lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.
11. Minors
Our services are not directed at individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we become aware that a minor has provided us with personal data, we will delete it promptly.
12. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., Google Maps, WhatsApp). This Privacy Policy does not apply to those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you visit.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our services after any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
14. Contact Us
Smile Cars®
No. 1076, 44th Street, TVS Colony
Anna Nagar West Extension, Chennai – 600101
Tamil Nadu, India
Phone: +91 9962097400 / +91 9962056400
Email: info@smilecars.net
Website: www.smilecars.net