SMS Consent & Messaging Policy

The short version

HoundStack only sends text messages to people who ask for them, and every message we send includes a way to stop. Reply STOP to any message to opt out immediately, or HELP for assistance.

Consent is separate from every other agreement

Consent to receive text messages from HoundStack is collected on its own, by its own affirmative action, and is never given by accepting any other agreement.

• Accepting our Terms of Service does not give consent to receive text messages.
• Accepting our Privacy Policy does not give consent to receive text messages.
• Creating an account, subscribing to a plan, paying an invoice or using any part of HoundStack does not give consent to receive text messages.

The only way consent is given is by separately ticking an unticked box, or turning on a switch that is off by default, whose words are shown in full at the moment of the choice and stored with the timestamp. Declining, or withdrawing consent later, changes nothing about your account, your plan, your price or your access to HoundStack.

What messages we send

HoundStack sends two kinds of text messages, and both require prior consent:

• Account messages to business users. If you create a HoundStack account and choose to give us a mobile number, we may text you account and service notifications. This is optional: HoundStack accounts sign in with an email address and password, so you never need to receive a text to create, access or use your account.
• Service messages to a business's customers. Pet-care businesses that run on HoundStack can text their own customers things like visit reminders, "your technician is on the way" notices, visit-completed confirmations, portal sign-in codes, overdue-invoice reminders, and review requests. These messages are sent only to customers who gave that business their number and consent to be contacted.

We do not send marketing or promotional cold texts, and we never text numbers that have not opted in.

How consent is collected

Business users may opt in on the last step of account creation by entering a mobile number and ticking a consent box that is unticked by default. Both the number and the box are optional, and the account is created whether or not they are filled in. The box carries this language:

"I agree to receive text messages from HoundStack at the number provided about my account and service notifications. Consent is optional and is not a condition of purchase — you can create and use a HoundStack account without it. Message frequency varies. Message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help."

We record when consent was given, the number it covers, and the exact language shown. Businesses using HoundStack to message their customers are responsible for collecting equivalent consent from those customers, and the platform enforces opt-outs for them automatically.

Screenshots of the opt-in flow

The sign-up journey as a new customer sees it, captured in order and unedited. Published here so the flow described above can be checked against the flow that actually runs.

• Step 1: your account (no phone number requested)
• Step 2: your business (no phone number requested)
• Step 3: finish, before any number is entered
• The opt-in, unticked, and the account can be created from here as it stands
• The opt-in, ticked, and consent is given by this separate action alone

And the same carve-out in each of the three agreements:

• This policy
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy

Message frequency and rates

Message frequency varies based on your account activity and service schedule. Message and data rates may apply according to your mobile carrier's plan. Consent to receive texts is never a condition of purchasing any product or service.

How to opt out (SMS un-consent)

• Reply STOP to any message you receive from HoundStack or from a business using HoundStack. Opt-outs take effect immediately and are enforced automatically: the platform blocks further texts to your number.
• Reply HELP to any message for assistance.
• Business users can also remove their mobile number or withdraw texting consent in Settings, and customers of a HoundStack business can manage notification preferences in their client portal or by contacting the business directly.
• You can always email support@houndstack.com and we will process the opt-out for you.

Privacy of your mobile information

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent are not shared with any third parties, except with our SMS delivery provider solely to send the messages you asked for. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Carriers

Messages are delivered over the networks of participating carriers. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Contact

Questions about this policy: support@houndstack.com.