Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026

1. Information We Collect

heterotroph collects various types of information to ensure effective operation of heterotroph.info and delivery of educational services related to brake checking, cooling control, engine diagnostics, suspension inspection, transmission control, tire inspection, auto electrical systems, comprehensive diagnostics, trip preparation, and practical recommendations for mountain and high-elevation driving. We may collect personal data such as your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address when you register on our site, request information, or use our contact forms. We may also collect information about your device, including IP address, browser type, and operating system, as well as data about your interaction with our site, such as pages visited and time spent on educational modules.

We may also collect information that does not identify you directly, such as aggregate usage data including visit statistics and reader preferences on direction pages. This information helps us improve our site and adapt educational materials to user needs.

In some cases we may use third-party services to collect information, such as analytics tools that help us understand how users interact with mountain terrain vehicle service learning modules. We strive to ensure all collected data is used in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

When you indicate interest in a specific direction such as brake checking or trip preparation through our forms, we may store that selection to route editorial responses. We do not use form data to evaluate your vehicle condition or share it with automotive workshops without separate consent.

2. How We Use Your Information

Collected information is used for various purposes, including:

• Providing and maintaining our educational reference services;
• Improving and personalizing the reader experience on direction pages;
• Processing your inquiries and delivering requested information about learning formats;
• Sending editorial notices and updates if you have agreed to receive them;
• Analyzing site usage to improve functionality and module structure.

We may use your information to comply with legal obligations, protect our rights and interests, and prevent fraud or other unlawful activity. If we intend to use your personal data for purposes other than those stated in this Privacy Policy, we will notify you and obtain your consent where required by applicable law.

3. Information Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or transfer your personal data to third parties without your consent, except when necessary to fulfill our obligations to you or as required by law. We may share your information with:

• Third-party service providers that help us operate the site, such as hosting, payment processing where applicable, and analytics;
• Law enforcement or government agencies when required by law or to protect our rights;
• Partners with whom we collaborate to deliver joint educational materials, provided you have consented to such collaboration.

We require all third parties with whom we share your information to maintain confidentiality and security of your data and to use it only for the purposes for which it was provided.

We do not share contact form messages with marketing list brokers. Correspondence about learning formats is handled by editorial staff and retained according to our internal records schedule.

4. Cookies and Tracking

Our site uses cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your interaction with the site. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that allow us to recognize you on repeat visits. We use cookies to:

• Analyze traffic and user behavior in aggregate;
• Remember consent and display preferences;
• Improve site functionality and navigation between learning tracks.

You can manage cookie settings through your browser. Disabling cookies may affect site functionality and limit access to some features. For additional details, see our Cookie Policy.

5. Your Rights and Choices

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you have certain rights regarding your personal data. You have the right to:

• Request information about what personal data we collect about you;
• Request deletion of your personal data;
• Opt out of the sale of personal data. We do not sell personal data.

To exercise these rights, contact us using the details in Section 10 below. We may request additional information to verify your identity before processing your request. We will endeavor to respond within reasonable timeframes and in accordance with applicable law.

6. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. We use various security technologies and procedures, including encryption, firewalls, and access controls where appropriate. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot fully eliminate network and organizational risks associated with data storage.

We also limit access to your personal data to employees and contractors who need access to perform their duties related to heterotroph.info. All such persons are required to maintain confidentiality of your data.

Security reviews of hosting and form infrastructure are conducted periodically. You should also protect your credentials when accessing educational materials from shared or public networks.

7. International Data Transfers

If you are located outside the United States and provide information to us, please note that your data may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where our servers and primary operations are located. Data protection laws in the United States may differ from those in your country. We take measures to ensure your data is processed in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law.

When transferring your data internationally, we will use appropriate mechanisms to protect your data, including standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities where applicable.

8. Children's Privacy

Our site is not intended for use by children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal data from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information from our records. If you believe we may have collected information from your child, please contact us using the details below.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of changes by posting the new version on our site and updating the date at the top of this page. We recommend reviewing this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Information

If you have questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

heterotroph
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (303) 582-7491
Address: Republic Plaza, 370 17th Street, Suite 2650, Denver, CO 80202, United States