Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how BothConnect (operated by Chacko Consulting — "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and protects information about users of our SMS-based contact-introduction service.

1. Who we are and how to reach us

BothConnect is operated by Chacko Consulting. For privacy questions, email [email protected] or text HELP to our service number.

2. Information we collect

When you text our service number, we collect only what is necessary to operate the service:

• Phone number. Your mobile number, in E.164 format, used to send and receive SMS.
• Name and email address. Captured during the in-SMS onboarding flow.
• Target phone number. The number of the person you ask to be connected with.
• Selfie image (optional). If you send a photo via MMS, we store the image, the photo's GPS coordinates (when present in EXIF metadata), and the date the photo was taken.
• Opt-out status. Whether you have unsubscribed via STOP.
• Compliance logs. A SHA-256 hash of your phone number (never the raw number), the time, the action taken, and a short reason — used to demonstrate TCPA compliance to carriers and regulators.
• Conversation messages. The text of your SMS replies, used only to drive the rules engine and your contact record.

3. How we use information

We use your information only to:

• Run the BothConnect contact-introduction flow you initiated.
• Deliver the SMS message you requested to the target phone number.
• Send you 2FA login codes for the BothConnect web/mobile dashboard.
• Maintain a record of your consent and opt-out preferences for legal compliance.
• Detect and prevent abuse, fraud, or carrier violations.

4. SMS / mobile information sharing Important

No mobile information (including phone numbers, opt-in status, SMS message content, or any data shared with BothConnect via SMS) will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information sharing is limited strictly to subprocessors that help us operate the service (see Section 6).

5. Message frequency and consent

Message frequency varies by your usage. Each conversation typically involves 4–8 messages during onboarding and 1–2 messages per connection request thereafter. Standard message and data rates from your carrier may apply.

By texting our service number, you consent to receive transactional SMS in response. You can revoke consent at any time by replying STOP; replying HELP returns support information.

6. Subprocessors

We rely on the following service providers strictly to deliver our service:

• Twilio, Inc. — SMS / MMS delivery, A2P 10DLC registration, Conversations API.
• SendGrid (Twilio). — Email notifications, when applicable.
• Cloudflare, Inc. — DNS and DDoS protection for bothconnect.com.

Each subprocessor is bound by their own data-handling commitments. None receives data for their own marketing or resale.

7. Data retention

• Compliance logs are retained for at least 4 years (the TCPA statute of limitations).
• Contact records remain until you request deletion.
• Selfie images are retained until you request deletion or until the associated contact is removed.
• Login codes expire 10 minutes after issuance and are deleted on use.

8. Your choices and rights

• Opt out: reply STOP to any BothConnect message.
• Help: reply HELP for support.
• Access / deletion: email [email protected] with your phone number; we will respond within 30 days.
• California, Texas, and EU residents: you have additional rights under CCPA, the Texas Data Privacy Act, and the GDPR. Email us to exercise them.

9. Security

We use HTTPS for all traffic, validate every inbound Twilio webhook signature, hash phone numbers in compliance logs, and store API tokens in environment variables outside the codebase. Account access is protected by phone-based two-factor authentication.

10. Children

BothConnect is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy. The "Effective" date at the top reflects the latest version. Material changes will be announced via SMS to active users.

12. Contact

Chacko Consulting / BothConnect
[email protected]