Terms of Service

Last updated date: May 20, 2025

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING CAR PLAY CONNECT

Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using Car Play Connect's website (carkeyconnect.app), mobile applications, desktop applications, or any related services (collectively, the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("you" or "user") and Car Play Connect ("we," "us," or "our").

Table of Contents

1. Service Description

1.1 Service Requirements

To use Car Play Connect, you need:

  • A compatible device (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, or Linux)
  • Internet connectivity
  • An active vehicle subscription with a supported manufacturer and Smartcar API authorization

1.2 Vehicle Integration Architecture

Car Play Connect utilizes secure third-party APIs (like Smartcar) to connect to your vehicle, meaning:

  • We never store your manufacturer login credentials (username/password)
  • We rely on secure OAuth tokens to access vehicle telematics and control endpoints
  • You are solely responsible for ensuring you have legal authorization to access and control the vehicle
  • Action execution (like locking/unlocking) is dependent on your vehicle's cellular connectivity

2. Account Registration and Security

2.1 Account Creation

To use certain features, you must create an account:

  • You must provide accurate and current information
  • You must be at least 16 years old
  • You must not use false identity or impersonate others
  • You may not create multiple accounts to abuse the Service

2.2 Account Security

You are responsible for:

  • Maintaining the confidentiality of your master password
  • All activities that occur under your account
  • Notifying us immediately of unauthorized access
  • Using a strong, unique master password

We are not liable for losses resulting from unauthorized use of your account.

2.3 Vehicle Access Responsibility

CRITICAL: You must only connect vehicles that you own or have explicit authorization to monitor and control.

  • Connecting unauthorized vehicles violates these terms and may violate local laws
  • We log vehicle control events for security auditing purposes
  • You must immediately revoke access if you sell or transfer ownership of the vehicle

3. Acceptable Use Policy

3.1 Permitted Uses

You may use Car Play Connect to:

  • Connect to vehicles you own or are legally authorized to access
  • Monitor vehicle telematics (location, tire pressure, battery, etc.)
  • Execute authorized vehicle control commands (lock, unlock, honk)
  • Manage your connected vehicle ecosystem securely

3.2 Prohibited Uses

You must NOT use Car Play Connect to:

Illegal Activities

  • Access servers or systems without authorization
  • Engage in hacking, cracking, or unauthorized penetration testing
  • Violate any applicable laws or regulations
  • Infringe on intellectual property rights

Harmful Activities

  • Transmit malware, viruses, or malicious code
  • Launch denial-of-service attacks
  • Compromise the security of any computer system
  • Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers

Abusive Activities

  • Harass, threaten, or harm others
  • Spam or send unsolicited communications
  • Scrape or harvest data without permission
  • Attempt to bypass security measures

Misuse of Service

  • Share your account credentials with others
  • Reverse engineer or decompile the application
  • Remove or modify any proprietary notices
  • Use the Service for commercial purposes without authorization

3.3 Enforcement

Violations may result in:

  • Warning or temporary suspension
  • Permanent account termination
  • Legal action
  • Cooperation with law enforcement

We reserve the right to investigate suspected violations and take appropriate action.

4. License and Restrictions

4.1 License Grant

Subject to these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

  • Install and use Car Play Connect on devices you own or control
  • Access the Service for personal or internal business use

4.2 License Restrictions

You may NOT:

  • Sell, rent, lease, or sublicense the Service
  • Modify, adapt, or create derivative works
  • Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the software
  • Remove, alter, or obscure any proprietary notices
  • Use the Service to build a competitive product
  • Frame or mirror any part of the Service
  • Use automated systems to access the Service (bots, scrapers)

4.3 Open Source Components

Car Play Connect may include open source software components. These components are governed by their respective licenses, which are available in the application's "About" section.

4.4 Updates and Modifications

  • We may update the Service at any time
  • Updates may be automatic or require manual action
  • Continued use after updates constitutes acceptance
  • We are not obligated to maintain backward compatibility
  • Some features may change or be discontinued

5. Subscriptions and Payments

The Services use third-party payment providers, including in-app purchases via Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, and Paddle.com (“Paddle”), our merchant of record, for payments made with debit/credit cards and PayPal. When you purchase a service or product using Paddle, Paddle will be the seller of record, and you will be entering into a separate legal agreement with Paddle, subject to Paddle’s terms and conditions available at https://paddle.com/legal-buyers/, which you are required to agree to in addition to these Terms. Notwithstanding that the payment transaction is entered into with Paddle, your use of the Services remains subject to these Terms with us. These Terms constitute the “Supplier Agreement” referred to in Paddle’s terms and conditions.

5.1 Free Tier

Car Play Connect offers a free tier with basic features. Free tier access may be modified or discontinued at our discretion.

5.2 Paid Subscriptions

Available Plans:

  • Monthly subscription
  • Annual subscription (with discount)
  • Lifetime license

5.3 Payment Terms

Payment Processing:

  • Web purchases: Processed through Paddle.com
  • iOS purchases: Through Apple App Store
  • Android purchases: Through Google Play Store

Billing:

  • You authorize us to charge your payment method
  • Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled
  • Prices are subject to change with 30 days notice
  • All fees are non-refundable except as stated in our Refund Policy

Taxes:

  • Prices exclude applicable taxes
  • You are responsible for all taxes
  • Tax amounts will be calculated at checkout

5.4 Refund Policy

We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee for all CAR PLAY CONNECT licenses. Refunds are processed within 12–14 business days of the request. To request a refund, contact our support team at support@CAR PLAY CONNECT.cloud with your order details.

5.5 Delivery Policy

CAR PLAY CONNECT is a digital product. Upon successful purchase, you will receive an email with download instructions and your license key. Delivery is instant for digital products. Your license is valid forever or automatically renewed depending on the price plan you purchased.

5.6 Return Policy

As CAR PLAY CONNECT is a digital product, traditional returns do not apply. If you experience technical issues, please contact our support team for assistance before requesting a refund.

5.7 Cancel Policy

Cancellations are handled through our refund policy within the first 14 days of purchase. If you wish to cancel your subscription, you can do so at any time by managing your subscription [here]. For special circumstances or bulk license purchases, contact support@CAR PLAY CONNECT.cloud to discuss cancellation options.

6. Intellectual Property

6.1 Our Ownership

Car Play Connect and all related materials are owned by us or our licensors:

  • Application code and software
  • User interface design
  • Trademarks, logos, and branding
  • Documentation and content
  • Patents and trade secrets

6.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of:

  • Your vehicle configurations and settings
  • Data you store in Car Play Connect
  • Telematics history retrieved through the Service

Our Limited Rights:

  • We can store encrypted copies for synchronization
  • We cannot access your encrypted content
  • We can use anonymized, aggregated data for analytics

6.3 Feedback

If you provide feedback, suggestions, or ideas:

  • You grant us unlimited rights to use them
  • No compensation is owed to you
  • We are not obligated to implement suggestions

7. Privacy and Data Security

7.1 Privacy Policy

Your privacy is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference. Key points:

What We Collect:

  • Account information (email, password hash)
  • Device and usage information
  • Payment information (via processors)

What We Cannot Access:

  • Your manufacturer login credentials (handled by Smartcar)
  • Your raw telematics history not required for caching

7.2 Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security:

  • End-to-end encryption (AES-256-GCM)
  • TLS 1.3 for data in transit
  • Zero-knowledge architecture
  • Regular security audits
  • Secure infrastructure

7.3 Your Responsibilities

You must:

  • Use a strong master password
  • Keep your password confidential
  • Enable two-factor authentication (recommended)
  • Keep your device secure
  • Log out on shared devices

8. Third-Party Services

8.1 Smartcar and Vehicle Manufacturers

Car Play Connect connects to third-party Vehicle APIs via Smartcar:

  • We are not responsible for vehicle availability, manufacturer downtime, or API latency
  • Vehicle manufacturers' terms and policies apply to your account
  • You must have authorization to access the vehicles
  • We do not guarantee the execution of commands if the vehicle is offline

8.2 Payment Processors

Payments are processed by third parties:

  • Paddle.com (web purchases)
  • Apple (iOS purchases)
  • Google (Android purchases)

Their terms and privacy policies apply to payment transactions.

8.3 App Stores

If downloaded from app stores:

  • App Store and Play Store terms apply
  • We are not responsible for store policies
  • Refunds may be subject to store policies
  • Reviews and ratings are governed by store terms

9. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

9.1 Disclaimers

SERVICE PROVIDED "AS IS"

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Car Play Connect is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to:

  • Merchantability
  • Fitness for a particular purpose
  • Non-infringement
  • Accuracy or reliability
  • Uninterrupted or error-free operation
  • Security or privacy
  • Data loss prevention

We do not warrant that:

  • The Service will meet your requirements
  • The Service will be secure or error-free
  • Results will be accurate or reliable
  • Defects will be corrected

9.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR:

  • Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
  • Loss of profits, revenue, or data
  • Business interruption
  • Loss of use or opportunity
  • Cost of substitute services
  • Unauthorized access to your account
  • Errors or omissions in the Service
  • Damage to your devices or data

MAXIMUM LIABILITY:

Our total liability shall not exceed the greater of:

  • $50 USD, or
  • The amount you paid us in the 12 months before the claim

EXCEPTIONS:

These limitations do not apply to:

  • Death or personal injury caused by our negligence
  • Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
  • Violations we cannot legally limit

9.3 Critical Systems

WARNING:

Car Play Connect is not designed for use in critical systems where failure could result in:

  • Death or serious injury
  • Significant property damage
  • Environmental damage

Do not use Car Play Connect for:

  • Medical devices or healthcare systems
  • Nuclear facilities
  • Aircraft navigation or communication
  • Life support systems
  • Emergency services

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Car Play Connect, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

  • Your use of the Service
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any law or regulation
  • Your violation of third-party rights
  • Your vehicle connections or remote control activities
  • Content you transmit or store
  • Your negligence or misconduct

This obligation survives termination of your account.

11. Termination

11.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time:

  • Go to Settings > Account > Delete Account
  • Email [email protected]
  • Termination is effective immediately
  • No refunds for remaining subscription periods

11.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account:

For Cause:

  • Violation of these Terms
  • Illegal activities
  • Abuse or misuse of the Service
  • Non-payment of fees
  • Risk to Service integrity or security

Notice:

  • We will provide notice when practical
  • Immediate termination for severe violations
  • Temporary suspension for investigation

Effects of Termination:

  • Access to the Service ends immediately
  • Encrypted data will be deleted after 30 days
  • No refunds for paid services
  • Outstanding fees become immediately due

12. Remedies

12.1 Violations

If Car Play Connect becomes aware of any possible violations by you of the Terms, we reserve the right to investigate such violations. If, as a result of the investigation, we believe that criminal activity has occurred, we reserve the right to refer the matter to, and to cooperate with, any and all applicable legal authorities.

We are entitled, except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, to disclose any information or materials in our possession in connection with your use of the Service, including Your Content, to:

  • Comply with applicable laws, legal process or governmental request
  • Enforce the Terms
  • Respond to any claims that your content violates the rights of third parties
  • Respond to your requests for customer service
  • Protect the rights, property or personal safety of Car Play Connect, its users or the public, and all enforcement or other government officials, as we in our sole discretion believe to be necessary or appropriate

12.2 Breach

In the event that Car Play Connect determines, in its sole discretion, that you have breached any portion of the Terms, or have otherwise demonstrated inappropriate conduct, we reserve the right to:

  • Warn you via email (to any email address you have provided to us) that you have violated the Terms
  • Delete any of your content provided by you or your agent(s) to the Service
  • Discontinue your registration(s) with the Service
  • Discontinue your subscription to any Service
  • Notify and/or send your content to and/or fully cooperate with the proper law enforcement authorities for further action
  • Pursue any other action which we deem to be appropriate

12.3 No Subsequent Registration

If your registration(s) with or ability to access the Service is discontinued by Car Play Connect due to your violation of any portion of the Terms, then you agree that you shall not attempt to re-register with or access the Service through use of a different member name or otherwise, and you acknowledge that you will not be entitled to receive a refund for fees related to those Service features to which your access has been terminated.

In the event that you violate the immediately preceding sentence, we reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to immediately take any or all of the actions set forth herein without any notice or warning to you.

13. General Terms

13.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Car Play Connect. They supersede any prior agreements or understandings.

13.2 Release

You hereby release Car Play Connect and its successors from claims, demands, any and all losses, damages, rights, and actions of any kind, including personal injuries, death, and property damage of any kind arising in connection with or as a result of the Terms or your use of the Service. If you are a California resident, you hereby waive California Civil Code Section 1542, which states, "A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which, if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor."

13.3 Modifications

We may modify these Terms at any time:

  • Changes posted at carkeyconnect.app/terms
  • Notice via email or in-app notification
  • Continued use constitutes acceptance
  • Material changes require 30 days notice

If you don't agree to changes:

  • Stop using the Service
  • Delete your account
  • Refunds subject to our Refund Policy

13.4 Severability

If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable:

  • The provision is modified to be enforceable
  • Or removed if modification is not possible
  • Other provisions remain in full effect

13.5 No Waiver

  • Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not constitute a waiver
  • Waivers must be in writing
  • Waiver of one breach does not waive future breaches

13.6 Assignment

  • You may not assign these Terms without our consent
  • We may assign these Terms to any successor or affiliate
  • Assignment notice will be provided

13.7 Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures due to circumstances beyond our control:

  • Natural disasters
  • War, terrorism, or civil unrest
  • Government actions or regulations
  • Internet or telecommunications failures
  • Power outages
  • Labor disputes
  • Pandemics or public health emergencies

13.8 Survival

The following sections survive termination:

  • Intellectual Property
  • Disclaimers and Limitations
  • Indemnification
  • Remedies
  • General Terms

13.9 Relationship

  • These Terms do not create a partnership, joint venture, or agency
  • You are an independent user of the Service
  • No fiduciary relationship exists

13.10 Third-Party Beneficiaries

No third party beneficiaries exist except:

  • Apple (for iOS app)
  • Google (for Android app)
  • Payment processors (as described in Section 5)

13.11 Export Compliance

  • You agree to comply with all export control laws:
  • US export regulations
  • Local import/export laws
  • You will not use Car Play Connect in embargoed countries
  • You are not on any denied parties list

13.12 U.S. Government Rights

If you are a U.S. government entity:

  • Car Play Connect is "commercial computer software"
  • Provided with restricted rights
  • As defined in FAR 12.212 and DFARS 227.7202

14. Contact Information

For support, questions, or concerns:

Acknowledgment

By using Car Play Connect, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.

Last Updated: December 12, 2024