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Privacy Policy

Effective: 2026-04-29

AxleOS is a Chrome extension and backend service operated by BlackEdge Ventures ("we", "us"). This policy explains what data AxleOS collects, how we use it, and the choices you have.

Who this policy is for

  • Shop technicians and service advisors who use the AxleOS Chrome extension inside Tekmetric.
  • Shops whose Tekmetric account is connected to AxleOS.

What we collect

From the extension itself

  • Usage activity. Each time the extension loads on a Tekmetric repair order page, or when a tech uses the diagnostic feature, we record a small event with: the shop's Tekmetric ID, a timestamp, the type of action (heartbeat, diagnose, write-to-Tekmetric), the extension version, and the user-agent string. We do not record the technician's name or login.
  • Extension settings. The AxleOS API endpoint and shop ID you set in the extension's options are stored locally in your browser via chrome.storage.sync. They are not transmitted to us except as part of normal API calls.

From Tekmetric, while you're diagnosing a repair order

When a tech requests an AI diagnosis on a Tekmetric repair order, the extension reads the following from the open RO and sends it to the AxleOS backend for processing:

  • The customer's stated concern
  • The vehicle's year, make, model, VIN, and mileage
  • Recent service history for that vehicle
  • The technician's notes on the current job, if any

We do not read or transmit customer payment information, social security numbers, addresses beyond what the shop already entered into Tekmetric, or any data outside the active repair order.

From the AI provider

AxleOS uses Anthropic's Claude models to generate diagnostic suggestions. The repair order data described above is sent to Anthropic to produce a response, then returned to AxleOS. Anthropic does not retain the data for model training.

How we use it

  • To produce the diagnostic suggestion displayed in the extension and optionally written back to the Tekmetric repair order.
  • To measure adoption and reliability so we can tell which shops are using AxleOS, where techs drop off in the workflow, and where errors occur. This is internal product data; no individual technician is profiled.
  • To improve AxleOS through aggregate usage analysis. We do not sell, rent, or share usage data with third parties.

Where data is stored

  • AxleOS's primary database is hosted on Microsoft Azure (US region) under BlackEdge Ventures' control.
  • Telemetry events and session records are retained for the life of the product, in aggregate form.
  • AI requests are processed by Anthropic and not retained beyond the request lifecycle.
  • We do not transfer user data outside the United States.

Sharing

We do not sell user data. We do not transfer user data to third parties for purposes unrelated to the operation of AxleOS.

We share data only with infrastructure providers strictly necessary for the service:

  • Microsoft Azure for application hosting and database storage
  • Anthropic for AI inference (per request only, not retained)

Your choices

  • Stop using AxleOS. Uninstalling the extension stops new data collection from your browser.
  • Request data deletion. Contact us (below) and we will remove records associated with your shop from our database, except where retention is required for billing or legal purposes.

Children

AxleOS is a tool for licensed automotive repair professionals. It is not directed at children under 16 and we do not knowingly collect data from children.

Changes

If this policy materially changes, we will update the effective date above and notify shop owners via the email address on file.

Contact

Questions or data requests:

  • Email: it@blackedgev.com
  • Address: BlackEdge Ventures, Twin Falls, ID