Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 28, 2026

This Policy explains how GROOVOTECH S.A.S. (RUC 0195196559001), which operates the Gruvo brand, based in Cuenca, Ecuador, handles your personal data when you use the Gruvo app and services, in line with Ecuador's Organic Law on Personal Data Protection (LOPDP).

1. What Gruvo is

Gruvo is a marketplace and intermediary connecting users with independent providers of vehicle services (towing, mechanics, electrical, locksmith, car wash, tires and more), and also a vehicle buy/sell market in Cuenca. Gruvo does not directly perform the providers' services.

2. Data we collect

Depending on how you use the app, we collect:

• Account data: full name, email, phone and password (stored encrypted). If you sign in with Google we receive your Google name, email and photo. We verify your email with a 6-digit code that we send to that address.
• Profile photo: required for customers before their first service request.
• Provider data: business name, contact person, phone, WhatsApp, address, opening hours, logo, RUC (optional), services and prices.
• GPS location: your device location when you allow it, to show where you need the service and, while a service is in progress, to follow the provider's arrival.
• Vehicle data: plate, make, model, year, mileage, maintenance records and sale listings with photos.
• Service requests: service type, address, photos and notes you attach.
• Conversations: chat messages between customer and provider for each request are retained.
• Ratings and reviews you give or receive.
• Payment and closing data: amounts, payment method, transfer receipts and the 4-digit closing PIN that confirms the service is finished, used to cross-check payments and the commission.
• Technical data: push notification identifier and basic security logs.

3. How we use your data

• Create and manage your account and verify your identity.
• Connect you with providers and manage your service requests.
• Show providers' public information (business name, logo, zone, ratings, prices).
• Calculate, collect and verify the platform commission and prevent fraud or use of the platform to avoid the commission.
• Provide support, resolve disputes and improve safety and quality.
• Send you notifications about your requests.

4. Who we share data with

When you request a service, the provider who accepts it receives your name, phone, location or address, vehicle data and the photos and notes of the request. A provider's public data (business, logo, zone, hours, ratings) is visible to users. Your vehicle listings are visible to other users.

We do not sell your personal data. We use technology vendors (hosting, push notifications, email delivery, Google sign-in) that process it only to operate the service. We may disclose data to competent authorities when required by law.

5. Location

The app only asks for your location when you need it (e.g. to show where you are or during a service in progress). You can deny or withdraw permission in your phone settings and type your address manually.

6. Conversations and ratings

Chat messages and ratings are retained to handle claims, resolve disputes and keep users and providers safe. The Gruvo team may review them when needed for support or to investigate an incident.

7. Platform commission

Providers pay Gruvo a 12.5% commission on the labor of each completed service (not on parts), settled weekly. To do this we process the amounts and payment receipts of each service. The percentage may be adjusted with prior notice.

8. Responsibility for providers

Providers are independent. Gruvo is not responsible for the quality, outcome, final price, punctuality or warranty of the services they provide, nor for vehicle sale transactions between users.

9. Legal basis

We process your data based on your consent, performance of the service you request, compliance with legal obligations and our legitimate interest in security and fraud prevention, under the LOPDP.

10. Retention and security

We keep your data while you have an account and as long as needed to meet legal, accounting and dispute-resolution obligations. We apply reasonable technical measures (encrypted passwords, secure connections, access control, two-factor for administrators). No system is 100% secure. When you delete your account we delete or anonymize your personal data; we only keep, without identifying you, the records required by law or accounting (completed services, commissions and ratings).

11. Your rights

Under the LOPDP you may exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion and objection, and the other rights recognized by law, by writing to soporte@gruvo.ec. We will answer within legal deadlines. You can correct much of your data directly in your profile and delete your account from the app (Settings > Delete account) or by requesting it at soporte@gruvo.ec; details at /delete-account.

12. Minors

Gruvo is intended for people aged 18 or over.

13. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy. The new version will be published in the app with its update date.

14. Contact and jurisdiction

Controller: GROOVOTECH S.A.S. (RUC 0195196559001), which operates the Gruvo brand. Contact: soporte@gruvo.ec. This Policy is governed by the laws of the Republic of Ecuador; any dispute will be submitted to the competent courts of Cuenca, Ecuador.