Terms of Service
These Terms of Service (the "Terms") are a legally binding agreement between Gestalt Systems, Inc. ("Hotline," "we," "us," or "our") and the individual who accesses our website or contacts us by text/SMS, email, or voice call ("you"). PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY. By accessing the Site or using the Services (each as defined below), you agree to be bound by these Terms.
Contact Information
Questions or requests relating to this Policy may be sent to legal@hotline.net.
228 Park Avenue South, PMB 93023
New York NY 10003
United States
Defined Terms; Scope
- Site
- means our public website and landing pages that we operate.
- Services
- means our consumer assistance service available in the United States via SMS/text, email, and real‑time voice calls that provides everyday help (e.g., technology support, cooking, travel, gardening, and book recommendations). We do not offer a mobile app or public API at this time.
- User Content
- means content you submit to the Services (e.g., messages, photos, attachments, and other materials).
- Output
- means responses or materials generated or delivered by the Services in response to your requests.
- Subscription
- means a recurring, fee‑based plan for access to the Services.
- Sensitive Personal Information
- includes, without limitation, protected health information (PHI), Social Security numbers, full payment card or bank account numbers, government identifiers, and similarly sensitive data.
These Terms apply to the Site and the Services. They do not apply to third‑party websites or services, even if we link to them.
Eligibility; Territory; Consumer Use Only
The Services are intended only for individuals age 18 or older who reside in the United States and who use the Services for personal, household purposes. By using the Services, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements.
Account; Identity; Authentication
We do not require a traditional password‑based account. When you contact us, we associate your activity with your email address or phone number. If you request access to billing or account preferences, we may authenticate you by sending a time‑limited, single‑use "Magic Link" to your email. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your email and phone number. If you suspect unauthorized use, contact support@hotline.net immediately.
Call Recording and Transcription; Consent
For quality, safety, and support, we may record and/or transcribe calls. Where required by law, an audible notice will be provided at call start. By continuing after the notice, you consent to recording and transcription.
Communications Consent (TCPA)
By providing a phone number or email, you consent to receive communications from us, including automated or prerecorded texts and calls related to the Services (e.g., authentication, support, account updates). Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. You may reply STOP to opt out of SMS at any time and HELP for help. You will continue to receive essential service and legal notices via email.
SMS Terms
By providing your phone number and consenting to Hotline's SMS/text messaging service, you agree to receive SMS/text messages from Hotline to the mobile number you provided for customer support purposes related to your inquiry.
You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text "STOP" to the short code. After you send the SMS message "STOP" to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending SMS messages to you again.
If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program you can reply with the keyword HELP for more assistance, or you can get help directly at support@hotline.net or +1 (857) 367-2844.
Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
Message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. Message frequency varies. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.
If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy.
Subscriptions; Fees; Taxes; Auto‑Renewal; Price Changes
Pricing. Subscriptions are $9 per month or $90 per year (plus applicable taxes).
Auto‑Renewal and Authorization. Subscriptions auto‑renew until canceled. By starting a Subscription, you authorize us and our payment processor (Stripe) to charge the applicable fees to your selected payment method on a recurring basis.
Taxes and Carrier Charges. Taxes may be added where required by law. Your carrier's message and data rates may apply.
Price Changes. We may change fees prospectively by providing prior notice; continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the new price.
Cancellation; Effect; Refunds
You may cancel at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period; your plan will not auto‑renew and you will retain access through the period already paid.
Refunds. We offer limited refunds at our discretion and where required by law. Where applicable law requires pro‑rated or statutory refunds, we will comply.
Acceptable Use; Sensitive Data Prohibition
You will not, and will not allow anyone else to:
- Use the Site or Services for any unlawful, infringing, harassing, harmful, deceptive, or fraudulent purpose;
- Upload or request content that is illegal, obscene, exploitative, or that contains malware or spam;
- Interfere with or disrupt the Services or attempt to bypass or defeat security or access controls;
- Use the Services to obtain or provide professional medical, legal, or financial advice, or use Outputs in high‑risk scenarios (e.g., safety‑critical systems, hazardous activities);
- Send or request Sensitive Personal Information, including PHI, Social Security numbers, full card or bank numbers, or government IDs;
- Reverse engineer, decompile, or otherwise attempt to derive the source code or underlying models of any component of the Services;
- Benchmark or publicly disclose performance or competitive evaluations of the Services without our prior written consent.
No Professional Advice; Accuracy; Your Responsibility
The Services may involve human‑assisted and AI‑assisted suggestions which can be incomplete, incorrect, or not tailored to your situation. The Services and Outputs do not constitute medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice. You are solely responsible for evaluating and verifying Outputs and for your decisions and actions.
Privacy; Data Retention (Summary)
Our Privacy Policy describes our data practices. Without limiting that Policy, we reiterate these retention periods:
- Website logs: retained for 90 days;
- SMS/email threads: retained for up to 7 years (business records);
- Call recordings and transcripts: retained for 1 year;
- Billing and payment records: retained for 7 years (tax/legal compliance);
- Support emails or inquiries: retained as needed and up to 2 years thereafter.
Sensitive Personal Information. Do not send sensitive data (including PHI). We are not a HIPAA covered entity or business associate.
Intellectual Property; Content; Output Rights
Ownership. The Site, the Services, and all content we provide (the "Hotline Content") are owned by us and our licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws. We reserve all rights not expressly granted.
License to the Services and Outputs. Subject to these Terms, we grant you a limited, personal, non‑exclusive, non‑transferable, revocable license to access and use the Services and to use Outputs solely for your personal, household use. Public display, redistribution, publication, or commercial exploitation of Outputs or Hotline Content requires our prior written permission.
Your Content License to Hotline. You grant Hotline a non‑exclusive, worldwide, royalty‑free license to host, store, reproduce, transmit, and otherwise process your User Content solely to provide, maintain, secure, and support the Services and to comply with law. You represent that you have all rights necessary to grant this license.
Feedback. If you provide suggestions or ideas about the Services, you grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty‑free license to use them without restriction or obligation.
Third‑Party Services and Links
The Services may include links to or integrations with third‑party services. Those third‑party terms and privacy policies govern your use of such services. We are not responsible for third‑party services and do not endorse them.
Availability; Support; Force Majeure
The Services are provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without any service‑level commitment. Support is provided on a best‑efforts basis. We may perform maintenance (scheduled or emergency). We will not be liable for delay or failure caused by events beyond our reasonable control (including acts of God, labor disputes, internet outages, and governmental actions).
Suspension and Termination
We may suspend or terminate your access immediately if we believe you have violated these Terms, pose a security or legal risk, or for non‑payment. Upon termination, your right to use the Services ceases. We may retain information as described in Section 10 and our Privacy Policy. Please export information you wish to keep before termination where feasible.
Disclaimers
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE SERVICES, SITE, HOTLINE CONTENT, AND ALL OUTPUTS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITH NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON‑INFRINGEMENT.
Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HOTLINE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY. IN NO EVENT WILL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICES EXCEED THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID TO HOTLINE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO LIABILITY. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; in such cases, the limits apply to the fullest extent permitted.
Indemnification
You will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Hotline and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from (a) your User Content, (b) your use of the Site or Services, or (c) your violation of these Terms or applicable law.
Governing Law; Arbitration; Class Action Waiver
Governing Law. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts‑of‑law rules, and by the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) with respect to arbitration.
Binding Arbitration. Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration may be conducted by video, phone, or based on written submissions. If an in‑person hearing is required, it will occur in the county of your residence (for individuals) or another location we mutually agree upon.
Class and Jury Waiver. You and Hotline agree that disputes will be resolved only on an individual basis and not in a class, representative, or consolidated action, and that you waive any right to a jury trial.
Opt‑Out. You may opt out of arbitration by emailing support@hotline.net within 30 days after you first accept these Terms. If you opt out, or if the arbitration agreement is found unenforceable, disputes will be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New Castle County, Delaware, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there.
Small Claims; Injunctive Relief. Either party may bring an individual action in small claims court. Either party may seek temporary or preliminary injunctive relief to protect its intellectual property or confidential information.
Export and Sanctions Compliance
You may not use the Services if you are located in, or are a resident of, a country or territory subject to U.S. embargoes or sanctions, or if you are on any U.S. government restricted list. You agree to comply with U.S. export and sanctions laws.
DMCA Policy
If you believe content accessible via the Services infringes your copyright, notify our DMCA agent at support@hotline.net with the information required by 17 U.S.C. §512(c)(3). We may remove or disable access to allegedly infringing content and may terminate repeat infringers.
Accessibility
We strive to make the Site and Services accessible. If you encounter accessibility issues, contact support@hotline.net and we will work to assist you. We may publish an Accessibility Statement with additional details.
Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice (for example, by email or on‑Site notice). The updated Terms will be effective when posted unless stated otherwise. By continuing to use the Services after the effective date, you agree to the updated Terms.
Notices; Electronic Communications
You consent to receive notices and communications electronically. We may provide required notices by email to the address associated with your account or by posting on the Site.
Miscellaneous
Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without our prior written consent; we may assign them as part of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
Entire Agreement; Order of Precedence. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Hotline regarding the Site and Services and supersede prior or contemporaneous agreements. In the event of a conflict between these Terms and any other terms posted on the Site (including the Privacy Policy), these Terms control with respect to use of the Site and Services, and the Privacy Policy controls with respect to data practices.
Severability; Waiver. If any provision is found unenforceable, it will be modified to the minimum extent necessary, and the remainder will remain in effect. No waiver is effective unless in writing.
No Third‑Party Beneficiaries. These Terms are for the benefit of the parties and do not create rights in any third party.
Headings; Interpretation. Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. "Including" means "including without limitation."