✓ No advertising cookies
✓ No cross-site tracking
✓ No third-party advertising or cross-site tracking analytics (no Google Analytics, no ad networks)
✓ No data sold to or shared with ad networks
✓ One strictly necessary session cookie — required to use the app
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website stores in your browser. They allow websites to remember information between page visits — like whether you're logged in.
Not all cookies are the same. Some are strictly necessary for a service to function (like session authentication). Others are used for tracking behavior across websites, targeting advertising, or measuring analytics. We only use strictly necessary first-party cookies, plus first-party product analytics (AWS CloudWatch RUM) that we run ourselves — we do not use third-party advertising or cross-site tracking cookies.
What we use
| Name | Type | Purpose | Duration | Can be disabled? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
mdg_session |
Strictly necessary | Keeps you authenticated between page visits. Stores a secure session token. Set on login, cleared on logout. | Session (or up to 7 days if "remember me" is checked) | No — disabling this logs you out. |
| AWS CloudWatch RUM | First-party analytics | AWS CloudWatch RUM (Real User Monitoring) — first-party analytics: page views, performance, JavaScript errors, and aggregate product-usage events. Our own telemetry via our cloud provider (AWS); not shared with ad networks and does not track you across other websites. May store a session/user identifier in local storage. | Session / short-lived identifier | Blocking browser storage may limit this telemetry. |
| Stripe cookies | Third-party | Stripe, our payment processor, may set cookies during checkout to prevent fraud and maintain your checkout session. These are governed by Stripe's Cookie Policy. | Session | Blocking these may prevent checkout from working. |
Local storage
In addition to cookies, we store some data in your browser's local storage. Your mdg_preferences data is not transmitted to our servers — it stays on your device. AWS CloudWatch RUM may also store a session/user identifier in local storage; that identifier and the associated telemetry are transmitted to AWS for first-party analytics.
| Key | What it stores |
|---|---|
mdg_preferences |
Your UI preferences: display units (miles/km), OBD unit, default vehicle selection. Never leaves your device. |
| AWS CloudWatch RUM identifier | A session/user identifier used by AWS CloudWatch RUM for first-party analytics (page views, performance, JavaScript errors, aggregate product-usage events). This identifier and the associated telemetry are transmitted to AWS (our cloud provider); it is not shared with ad networks and does not track you across other websites. |
What we do not use
To be explicit, MyDIYGarage does not use:
- Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, or any Google tracking pixels
- Facebook Pixel or any Meta advertising cookies
- Hotjar, FullStory, or any session recording tools
- Mixpanel, Amplitude, or any third-party behavioral analytics platforms (our only analytics is first-party AWS CloudWatch RUM, described above)
- Any advertising network cookies or retargeting pixels
- Any third-party cookie syncing or data brokering
Today, the storage on your device is limited to strictly-necessary first-party cookies plus the first-party AWS CloudWatch RUM telemetry disclosed above. If we ever introduce third-party non-essential or tracking cookies, we will update this policy, add an in-browser consent banner before placing them, and notify registered users by email. MyDIYGarage currently offers its service to customers in the United States; if we begin serving EU/UK residents, we will implement consent-based controls for the first-party analytics described above before doing so.
How to manage cookies
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Each browser handles this differently:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions
Blocking the session cookie (mdg_session) will prevent you from staying logged in to MyDIYGarage. Clearing all cookies from your browser will log you out of any active session.
Changes to this policy
A "material change" to this policy means any change that adds new cookies, introduces third-party tracking, or alters how existing cookies are used in a way that affects your privacy. For any material change, we will update this policy with a new effective date and notify registered users by email at least 30 days before the change takes effect. If we ever introduce third-party non-essential or tracking cookies, we will also add an in-browser consent banner before placing them. Non-material clarifications (formatting, typo fixes, or clarifying language that does not change the substance) may be made at any time without advance notice.
Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. Because we do not track users across websites or build cross-site behavioral profiles — our only analytics is first-party AWS CloudWatch RUM, which measures our own site's performance and usage — we do not modify our behavior in response to DNT signals. Our data practices are the same regardless of whether a DNT signal is present. Similarly, because we do not sell or share personal information, there is nothing for a Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal to opt out of; our no-sale, no-share position applies to every user regardless of any GPC signal.
Questions
For questions about our use of cookies or browser storage, contact us at privacy@mydiygarage.com.
Nielsen Digital, LLC
c/o Northwest Registered Agent, LLC
5900 Balcones Drive, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78731
United States