Terms of Service

1. Agreement to These Terms

By accessing or using the Service, including joining the waitlist, texting Otto, downloading the iOS app, or clicking to accept, you agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

If you use the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization, and "you" includes that organization.

2. Eligibility & Accounts

• You must be at least 13 years old (or the minimum age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). If you are under 18, you may use the Service only with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to these Terms.
• The Service is currently intended for users in the United States with a compatible iPhone and phone number capable of receiving SMS/iMessage (or the messaging channel we support).
• You are responsible for the accuracy of information you provide (including your phone number), for keeping your device secure, and for all activity under your number or paired app.
• You may need to complete an in-app pairing or verification step to link your messaging identity to the iOS app. Do not share pairing codes with others.

3. The Service

Otto is a text-based life assistant. Depending on features we make available, you may:

• Message Otto to request focus sessions, log workouts, set reminders, manage calendar-related tasks, or receive status updates;
• Install a paired iOS companion app required for device-level features such as app shielding (Focus Zone) and Apple Health sync (Fitness Canvas);
• Join a waitlist or beta program before general availability.

Features may vary by region, device, iOS version, Apple API availability, and beta status. We may add, modify, or discontinue features at any time.

4. Paired iOS App & Apple Platforms

Certain features require the Otto iOS app obtained from the Apple App Store and a compatible version of iOS. You must grant the permissions those features need (for example, Family Controls / Screen Time authorization, HealthKit access, and notifications). If you deny or revoke permissions, related features may not work.

Your use of the App Store, iOS, Health, Screen Time, Messages, and other Apple products is also subject to Apple's applicable terms and policies. Apple is not a party to these Terms between you and Otto, except that Apple and Apple's subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms solely with respect to Apple's rights as distributor of the iOS app, and may enforce those rights against you.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Apple has no warranty, maintenance, or support obligation for the Otto app. Any claims relating to the Otto app (product liability, legal compliance, consumer protection, or intellectual property) are between you and Otto, not Apple, except as required by applicable law or Apple's App Store terms.

5. Focus Zone (Screen Time / Family Controls)

Focus Zone uses Apple Family Controls, Managed Settings, Device Activity, and/or related Screen Time APIs so that when you request a focus session (including by text), the paired app can shield selected apps or categories until the session ends or you request unlock, subject to Apple's platform rules and the permissions you grant.

5.1 Your responsibilities

• You understand that shielding may block or limit apps you select, which can affect communications, navigation, work, school, or emergency-related use of those apps. Do not rely on Otto as a safety system. Keep Phone, emergency, and critical apps available as appropriate for your situation.
• You are responsible for which apps/categories you allow Otto to manage and for any intentional lock-in settings you enable.
• You will not misuse Family Controls / Screen Time APIs (for example, to harass others, covertly monitor someone without lawful authority and required consent, or to violate Apple's terms).
• Parents/guardians who configure focus features for a minor are responsible for appropriate supervision and for complying with Apple Family Sharing / Screen Time parental requirements.

5.2 Limitations

App shielding depends on Apple's APIs, device state, connectivity, battery, OS bugs, and authorization. Shields may fail to apply, end early, or behave differently after iOS updates. Otto does not guarantee uninterrupted blocking.

6. Fitness Canvas & Health Features

Fitness Canvas lets you log workouts and related activity via message and, with your permission, sync data to Apple Health (HealthKit).

• Not medical advice. Otto is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or emergency services. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for health decisions. If you experience a medical emergency, call emergency services. Do not rely on Otto.
• Workout parsing from natural language may be inaccurate or incomplete. You are responsible for reviewing data written to Apple Health and correcting it in the Health app or via Otto if needed.
• HealthKit access is optional and controlled in iOS Settings. You may revoke access at any time; syncing will stop.
• You agree not to use Otto to submit fabricated clinical claims or to misuse Health data in violation of law.

7. Messaging & SMS Terms

By providing your phone number and affirming consent (including via a website checkbox, keyword, or in-app flow), you expressly consent to receive recurring automated and non-automated text messages from Otto at the number provided. Message frequency varies based on your use. Message and data rates may apply.

• Reply STOP to opt out of waitlist/marketing texts as applicable. You may still receive transactional or service messages if you continue using Otto until you close your account.
• Reply HELP for help, or email support@heyotto.me.
• Consent is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services.
• Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Delivery depends on your carrier and device.
• You represent that you are the subscriber or customary user of the phone number you provide and that you will update us if your number changes.

8. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms or Apple's terms;
• Attempt to reverse engineer, interfere with, or disrupt the Service, except to the extent such restriction is prohibited by law;
• Probe, scan, or test vulnerability of our systems without authorization;
• Impersonate others, spoof phone numbers, or evade bans;
• Use the Service to spam, harass, exploit minors, or distribute malware;
• Misuse Screen Time / Family Controls or HealthKit features, or attempt to bypass platform security or parental controls;
• Scrape or bulk-export the Service except through interfaces we expressly provide;
• Use the Service in any way that could damage Otto's reputation or Apple platform standing (for example, abusive review brigading tied to fraud).

We may investigate violations and suspend or terminate access.

9. Beta, Changes & Availability

Otto may be offered as a free or paid beta, early access, or limited release. Beta features are experimental, may contain bugs, and may change or be withdrawn without notice. We do not guarantee uptime, message delivery, focus reliability, Health sync accuracy, or continued free access. We may introduce pricing, subscriptions, or usage limits later; we will disclose material paid terms before charging you.

10. Intellectual Property

The Service, including software, branding, text, design, and logos, is owned by Otto or its licensors and protected by intellectual property laws. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the Service for your personal, non-commercial use (unless we agree otherwise in writing) in accordance with these Terms.

You retain ownership of content you submit (such as messages). You grant Otto a worldwide, non-exclusive license to host, process, transmit, and display that content solely to operate and improve the Service and as described in the Privacy Policy.

Apple, Apple Health, HealthKit, Screen Time, App Store, iMessage, and related marks are trademarks of Apple Inc. Otto is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple except as an independent App Store developer.

11. Third-Party Services

The Service depends on third parties (Apple, carriers, hosting providers, SMS gateways). We are not responsible for third-party outages, policy changes, API deprecations, or fees your carrier charges. Links to third-party sites are for convenience only.

12. Disclaimers

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Service is provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free, that focus locks will always apply, or that health logs will be accurate or complete.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Otto and its officers, directors, employees, and agents will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, data, goodwill, or other intangible losses, arising out of or related to your use of (or inability to use) the Service, including missed messages, failed app shields, inaccurate workout logs, or reliance on Otto for health or safety decisions.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the Service or these Terms will not exceed the greater of (a) the amounts you paid us for the Service in the twelve (12) months before the claim or (b) fifty U.S. dollars (USD $50) if you have not paid us.

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; in those cases, our liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted.

14. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Otto and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your use of the Service; (b) your content or messages; (c) your violation of these Terms or applicable law; or (d) your misuse of Screen Time / Family Controls or Health features, including harm to third parties.

15. Termination

You may stop using the Service at any time by texting STOP (where applicable), deleting the iOS app, and/or requesting account deletion at support@heyotto.me. We may suspend or terminate your access at any time if you violate these Terms, if required by law or Apple, or if we discontinue the Service. Sections that by their nature should survive (including intellectual property, disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnity, and governing law) will survive termination.

16. Privacy

Our collection and use of personal information is described in our Privacy Policy, which includes specific disclosures for Screen Time / Family Controls and Apple Health / HealthKit. By using the Service, you acknowledge that policy.

17. Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the State of Delaware, excluding conflict-of-law rules, unless mandatory consumer protection laws in your place of residence require otherwise. Exclusive venue for disputes that are not subject to small-claims court or mandatory consumer protections elsewhere will be the state or federal courts located in Delaware, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there, unless applicable law gives you the right to bring claims in your home jurisdiction.

Before filing a claim, you agree to contact us at support@heyotto.me and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for 30 days.

18. General

• Entire agreement. These Terms and the Privacy Policy are the entire agreement between you and Otto regarding the Service.
• Changes.We may update these Terms by posting a revised version and updating the "Last updated" date. Material changes may also be communicated via the Service or SMS. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance, except where additional consent is required by law.
• Severability. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect.
• Waiver. Failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.
• Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without our consent. We may assign them in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
• No Apple endorsement. References to Apple technologies do not imply partnership or endorsement beyond App Store distribution.

19. Contact

Questions about these Terms?

Otto
Website: https://heyotto.me
Email: support@heyotto.me

Related: Privacy Policy.