Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the HeyOtto! application ("Service", "we", "us", or "our"), our public website, mobile applications, and any related services (collectively, the "Service").

By creating an account, accessing, or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.

2. Eligibility and Account Registration

2.1 Age Requirements and COPPA Compliance

Account Creation Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account and use the Service.
Only parents or legal guardians may create accounts for family use.
Children under 13 are prohibited from creating their own accounts or accessing the Service independently.

Children's Access to Service

Children under 13 may only access the Service through parent-managed accounts.
All children's profiles must be created and controlled exclusively by their parent or legal guardian.
Parents must provide verifiable consent before any personal information about children under 13 is collected.

COPPA Compliance

We fully comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and all applicable children's privacy laws.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent.
Parents maintain complete control over all children's data and usage within their family account.

2.2 Account Registration

You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration.
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account.
You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach.
One person or entity may not maintain more than one account without our express permission.

2.3 Account Termination

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us or using the account deletion feature.
Upon termination, your account and personal data will be deleted as described in our Privacy Policy, except for information we are required or permitted to retain for legal, compliance, billing, safety, or fraud prevention purposes.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or for any other reason at our sole discretion.
Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease.
Certain data retention obligations survive account termination, including billing records, usage logs, and audit trails, as detailed in our Privacy Policy Section 6.4.

3. Description of Service

3.1 Service Overview

HeyOtto! provides an AI-powered chat service designed for families. Our service includes:

Family profile management
Age-appropriate AI conversations for children
Parental controls and monitoring
Content filtering and safety features
Customizable family preferences and values alignment

3.2 Service Modifications

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Service at any time with or without notice.
We may update or change the Service and are not obligated to provide any specific features or functionality.
We will make reasonable efforts to notify you of material changes to the Service.

4. User Responsibilities and Acceptable Use

4.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree NOT to:

Violate any applicable laws, regulations, or third-party rights
Use the Service to harm, threaten, harass, or impersonate others
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Service
Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers
Upload or transmit viruses, malware, or other malicious code
Collect or harvest information about other users without consent
Use the Service for any commercial purpose without our written permission
Attempt to reverse engineer, decompile, or discover the source code of the Service
Remove, alter, or obscure any copyright or proprietary notices
Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the Service without permission

4.2 Parental Responsibilities and COPPA Obligations

As a parent or legal guardian creating a family account, you acknowledge and agree to the following responsibilities:

COPPA Compliance Responsibilities

Verifiable Consent: By providing payment information and creating an account, you provide verifiable parental consent under COPPA for the collection of your children's personal information.
Ongoing Consent: You must maintain consent throughout your use of the Service and may withdraw consent at any time by deleting your children's profiles.
Authorization Confirmation: You confirm you are the parent or legal guardian authorized to provide consent for your children's data collection.

Monitoring and Supervision Obligations

Active Monitoring: You are solely responsible for supervising your children's interactions with the Service.
Content Review: You must regularly review your children's chat history and usage through the parental dashboard.
Safety Configuration: You must configure appropriate parental controls, content filters, and safety settings for each child.
Immediate Response: You must respond promptly to any alerts or notifications about your children's activities.

Account Management Duties

Profile Accuracy: You must ensure all information provided about your children is accurate and current.
Access Control: You must secure your account credentials and prevent unauthorized access by children.
PIN Management: You are responsible for managing PIN codes that control child access to profiles.
Content Responsibility: You are legally responsible for all content created or accessed through your family account.

Safety and Liability Acknowledgment

AI Limitations: You acknowledge that AI responses may occasionally be inaccurate, incomplete, or inappropriate despite our safety measures.
Supervision Requirement: You understand that parental supervision is required and cannot be substituted by automated safety features.
Emergency Response: You are responsible for teaching children appropriate responses to concerning content and when to seek adult help.

Data Control Rights

Access Rights: You have the right to access, review, modify, and delete all information about your children at any time.
Deletion Rights: You may request immediate deletion of your children's personal information and chat history.
Export Rights: You may request copies of your children's data in a portable format.

4.3 Content Standards

All content you create or share through the Service must:

Comply with applicable laws and regulations
Not contain illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, or offensive material
Not infringe on intellectual property or privacy rights of others
Be appropriate for the family-oriented nature of our Service

5. Family Profiles and Data

5.1 Family Profile Information and Children's Data

Profile Creation and Management

As a parent, you may create profiles for your children under 13 with verifiable consent provided through account creation.
Children's profiles may only be created by their parent or legal guardian.
You are responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and currency of all profile information.
You control what personal information is included in family profiles and may modify or remove it at any time.

Children's Information Collection

With your verifiable parental consent, you may provide the following information about your children:

Names and nicknames
Ages (used for age-appropriate content and responses)
Biological sex (optional, for personalization)
Interests, hobbies, and personality traits
Educational level and preferences
Parental guidance instructions

Data Usage and Purpose

Profile information is used solely to provide age-appropriate AI interactions and personalization.
Children's data enables safety features, content filtering, and developmental guidance.
All children's information is processed with enhanced privacy protections.
We do not use children's personal information for marketing, advertising, or commercial purposes.

COPPA Data Minimization

We collect only the minimum information necessary to provide the Service.
Children's data is not shared with third parties except as required for service provision (with parental consent).
Parents may limit or remove any optional information at any time.

5.2 Chat History, Conversations, and Parental Monitoring

Storage and Access

The Service stores chat histories to provide conversation continuity and context for AI responses.
Children's conversations are stored securely and segregated from other data types.
Parents have immediate access to review all their children's chat history through the parental dashboard.
Parents may export, modify, or permanently delete their children's conversation history at any time.

Content Monitoring and Safety

All conversations, including children's, are subject to automated content monitoring for safety.
Parents receive real-time alerts for potentially concerning content in their children's interactions.
We employ multiple layers of safety measures including content filtering and age-appropriate responses.
Children's conversations are flagged for parental review when safety concerns are detected.

AI Improvement and Data Usage

Adult conversations may be used to improve AI models (with opt-out available).
Children's conversations are never used for AI training without explicit parental opt-in consent.
All conversations are anonymized before any analysis or improvement activities.
Parents control whether their family's conversations contribute to service improvements.

COPPA Compliance for Children's Content

Children's chat content is treated with enhanced privacy protections under COPPA.
Parents maintain full ownership and control over their children's conversational data.
Children's conversations are not shared, sold, or used commercially without parental consent.
Parents may request complete deletion of their children's chat history at any time.

6. AI-Generated Content and Disclaimers

6.1 Nature of AI Content

Our Service uses artificial intelligence to generate responses and content
AI-generated content is created algorithmically and may contain errors, inaccuracies, or inappropriate material
We continuously work to improve accuracy and safety but cannot guarantee perfection

6.2 No Professional Advice

The Service is for informational and entertainment purposes only. AI-generated content does NOT constitute:

Medical, legal, financial, or professional advice
Educational instruction or tutoring services
Mental health counseling or therapy
Emergency services or crisis intervention

For professional advice or emergency situations, consult qualified professionals or contact appropriate emergency services.

6.3 Educational Disclaimer

While our Service may assist with homework or educational topics:

AI responses should be verified with authoritative sources
The Service is not a substitute for proper education or qualified instruction
Parents should supervise children's use for educational purposes
We are not responsible for academic performance or outcomes

7. Content Monitoring, Safety, and COPPA Protection

7.1 Comprehensive Safety Measures

We employ multiple layers of safety measures specifically designed to protect children and comply with COPPA:

Age-Appropriate Content Protection

Advanced content filtering based on developmental age groups
Automated monitoring for inappropriate language, topics, and content
Real-time analysis of conversation context and safety risks
Age-specific response guidelines and boundary enforcement

Parental Alert and Monitoring Systems

Real-time notifications to parents about potentially concerning interactions
Automated flagging of content requiring parental review
Parental dashboard for comprehensive monitoring and oversight
Emergency alert systems for serious safety concerns

COPPA-Specific Safety Features

Enhanced privacy protections for children's conversations
Segregated data handling for children's content
Parental consent verification for all children's data processing
Immediate parental access to children's interaction history

7.2 Content Review and COPPA Compliance

Our Monitoring Rights and Obligations

We reserve the right to review, monitor, and remove content that violates these Terms or COPPA
Automated and manual review processes are used to ensure child safety
We prioritize review of children's content for safety and appropriateness
We will notify parents of any content violations involving their children

COPPA Content Review Requirements

We maintain reasonable procedures to protect children's privacy during content review
Children's content is reviewed only for safety purposes, not for commercial analysis
Parents are informed of any content review involving their children
We minimize retention of reviewed content to comply with COPPA data minimization requirements

7.3 Reporting and Parental Rights

Content Reporting Mechanisms

Parents can report inappropriate content or behavior through the Service interface
Children are taught to report concerning content to parents or trusted adults
All reports are investigated promptly with priority given to children's safety
False or malicious reports may result in account restrictions

COPPA Parental Reporting Rights

Parents have the right to report concerns about their children's data handling
We respond to parental reports within 30 days as required by COPPA
Parents may request investigations into their children's content or data usage
All parental reports are handled with the highest priority for child protection

Safety Incident Response

We maintain procedures for responding to safety incidents involving children
Parents are immediately notified of any confirmed safety concerns
We cooperate with law enforcement when required for child protection
Safety incidents are documented and reviewed to improve protection measures

8. Intellectual Property Rights

8.1 Our Intellectual Property

The Service, including all content, features, functionality, software, and design, is owned by us or our licensors
Our trademarks, logos, and service marks are our property
You may not use our intellectual property without prior written permission

8.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of content you create or provide to the Service
By using the Service, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and display your content for purposes of providing and improving the Service
This license continues even after you stop using the Service for content you shared publicly

8.3 AI Training

We may use anonymized conversations and interactions to train and improve our AI models
Personal information is removed or anonymized before use in training
You can opt out of AI training use through your account settings

8.4 Third-Party Content

The Service may contain links to third-party websites or services
We are not responsible for third-party content or services
Your use of third-party services is subject to their terms and policies

9. Subscription and Payment Terms

9.1 Subscription Plans

The Service offers various subscription plans with different features and limits
Subscription details, pricing, and features are described on our pricing page
We reserve the right to modify subscription plans and pricing with notice

9.2 Payment

Subscriptions are billed in advance on a recurring basis (monthly or annually)
You authorize us to charge your payment method for all fees
You must provide current, complete, and accurate payment information
You are responsible for all charges incurred under your account

9.3 Billing and Renewal

Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled before the renewal date
You will be charged at the then-current rate upon renewal
We will provide notice of price changes before they take effect
No refunds are provided for partial subscription periods

9.4 Free Trial

We may offer free trials for new users
Free trials automatically convert to paid subscriptions unless cancelled
Only one free trial per user or household
We reserve the right to verify eligibility and revoke free trials obtained fraudulently

9.5 Cancellation and Refunds

You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings
Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period
No refunds are provided for unused portions of subscription periods
We may provide refunds on a case-by-case basis at our sole discretion

9.6 Usage Limits

Subscription plans may include usage limits (e.g., message counts, tokens)
Exceeding limits may result in service restrictions or additional charges
Usage limits and overages are described in your subscription plan details

10. Privacy and Data Protection

10.1 Privacy Policy

Our Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect your information
By using the Service, you consent to our privacy practices as described in the Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy is incorporated into these Terms by reference

10.2 Data Retention and Deletion

When you delete your account, most personal data is immediately deleted as described in our Privacy Policy
Certain information is retained for legal, compliance, billing, and safety purposes, including:
- Subscription and billing records (retained as required by tax and accounting laws)
- Usage metering data (retained to prevent abuse)
- User activity logs (retained for security and fraud prevention)
- Communication records (retained for compliance)
- User identification mapping (retained for audit purposes)
Retained data is not accessible through the Service after account deletion
You may request information about retained data by contacting our privacy team
Full details about data retention are provided in our Privacy Policy Section 6.4

10.3 Children's Privacy and COPPA Compliance

COPPA Compliance Commitments

We fully comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and all applicable children's privacy laws
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent
Payment verification serves as FTC-approved verifiable parental consent for children's data collection
We maintain reasonable procedures to protect children's privacy and safety

Parental Control and Rights

Parents maintain complete control over all children's profiles, information, and usage
Parents can review, modify, export, or permanently delete their children's information at any time
Parents receive direct notice about what children's information we collect and how it is used
Parents can withdraw consent and request immediate deletion of their children's data

Children's Data Handling

Children's personal information is collected only with parental consent and used solely for Service provision
Children's data is processed with enhanced security measures and privacy protections
Children's conversations and personal information are never used for marketing or commercial purposes
Children's data is segregated and handled separately from adult user data

COPPA Data Retention and Deletion

Children's personal information is retained only as long as necessary to provide the Service
Parents can request immediate deletion of their children's information at any time
Upon consent withdrawal, all children's data is deleted within 30 days
Some billing and account data may be retained as required by law, but children's personal content is fully deleted

International Children's Privacy

Children's data transfers comply with COPPA and international privacy laws
Enhanced safeguards are implemented for international transfers of children's information
Parents are notified of any international data transfers involving their children's information

10.4 Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information
No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials
You should notify us immediately of any security breaches

11. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

11.1 Service Disclaimer

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
WARRANTIES OF ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR COMPLETENESS OF CONTENT
WARRANTIES OF UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE SERVICE
WARRANTIES THAT THE SERVICE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS

11.2 AI Disclaimer

WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT:

AI-generated content will be accurate, appropriate, or safe
Content filtering will catch all inappropriate material
The Service will prevent all harmful or unwanted interactions
AI responses will be suitable for your specific circumstances

11.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES
OUR TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM
WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE
WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR AI-GENERATED CONTENT OR INTERACTIONS THROUGH THE SERVICE

11.4 Jurisdictional Limitations

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain warranty disclaimers or liability limitations. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless HeyOtto!, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and partners from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

Your Account and Usage

Your use or misuse of the Service
Your violation of these Terms or applicable laws
Your violation of any rights of another party
Content you create or provide to the Service

Parental Responsibilities and COPPA Compliance

Your children's use of the Service under your account
Your failure to properly supervise your children's interactions
Your provision of inaccurate information about your children
Your violation of COPPA obligations as a parent or guardian
Claims arising from your children's data provided to the Service

COPPA-Specific Indemnification

Any claims that you are not authorized to provide consent for your children's data
Claims related to the collection, use, or disclosure of your children's information
FTC investigations or enforcement actions related to COPPA compliance
Any privacy claims brought by or on behalf of your children

You acknowledge that maintaining COPPA compliance is your responsibility as a parent, and you agree to indemnify us for any COPPA-related claims arising from your account management or consent provision.

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [Your Jurisdiction], without regard to conflict of law principles.

13.2 Informal Resolution

Before filing any claim, you agree to contact us to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will work in good faith to resolve disputes.

13.3 Arbitration

Any dispute that cannot be resolved informally shall be resolved through binding arbitration rather than in court, except:

Small claims court disputes
Intellectual property disputes
Disputes seeking injunctive relief

Arbitration will be conducted by a neutral arbitrator in accordance with the rules of [Arbitration Organization]. The arbitrator's decision is final and binding.

13.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree to resolve disputes individually and waive the right to participate in class actions, class arbitrations, or representative actions.

14. Changes to Terms

14.1 Modifications

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of material changes by:

Posting updated Terms on our website
Sending email notification to registered users
Displaying a notice in the Service

14.2 Acceptance of Changes

Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Service and may cancel your account.

14.3 Version History

We maintain a version history of these Terms, which you can request by contacting us.

15. General Provisions

15.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices published through the Service, constitute the entire agreement between you and us.

15.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

15.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be deemed a waiver of such right or provision.

15.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent. We may assign or transfer these Terms without restriction.

15.5 Force Majeure

We are not liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, or internet service failures.

15.6 Survival

Provisions that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including intellectual property rights, disclaimers, limitations of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution provisions.

15.7 Notices

Notices to you may be sent to the email address associated with your account. You should keep your contact information current. Notices to us should be sent to [your contact email].

15.8 Export Controls

You may not use or export the Service in violation of any applicable export laws or regulations.

15.9 Government Users

If you are a U.S. government entity, the Service is a "Commercial Item" as defined in applicable regulations, and is provided with only those rights afforded to commercial end users.

16. COPPA Compliance Statement

16.1 COPPA Operator Obligations

As required by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), HeyOtto! commits to:

Collecting personal information from children under 13 only with verifiable parental consent
Providing direct notice to parents about our information collection practices
Giving parents access to review and delete their children's personal information
Maintaining reasonable procedures to protect children's privacy and safety
Responding to parental requests within 30 days as required by law
Not conditioning children's participation on collecting more information than necessary

16.2 Parental Consent and Verification

Payment verification during account creation serves as FTC-approved verifiable parental consent
Parents must be 18 or older and authorized to provide consent for their children's data
Consent covers all collection, use, and disclosure of children's personal information
Parents may withdraw consent at any time by deleting their children's profiles

16.3 COPPA Enforcement and Contact

If you have concerns about COPPA compliance or need to exercise parental rights:

Email: privacy@heyotto.app Subject Line: COPPA Parental Rights Request Response Time: Within 30 days as required by COPPA

We take COPPA compliance seriously and work diligently to protect children's privacy online.

17. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

Email: support@heyotto.app

Website: https://www.heyotto.app

By using HeyOtto!, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. By creating a family account, you confirm you are a parent or guardian authorized to provide consent for your children's use of the Service and collection of their personal information under COPPA.