Terms of Service

Effective date: March 21, 2026

1. Service Overview

Otto is an iMessage and SMS-based meal planning, grocery ordering, and cooking guidance service run by Otto the Tomato LLC ("we," "us," "Otto"). These Terms of Service describe the rules for using Otto. By providing your phone number or texting Otto, you agree to these rules.

If you don't agree with any part of these Terms, stop using Otto.

2. Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to use Otto. We don't knowingly serve anyone under 18. By using Otto, you confirm you're 18 or older.

3. SMS Consent and Text Message Service

3.1 Your Consent to Receive Text Messages

By providing your phone number and tapping "Text Otto" on our signup page, you expressly consent to receive recurring automated iMessage and SMS text messages from Otto at the phone number you provided. These messages include:

Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of any purchase. Otto is a free service. You may opt out of text messages at any time (see Section 4 below).

We use Twilio and other messaging infrastructure providers to deliver iMessage and SMS text messages to your phone.

3.2 Message Frequency

Otto is a conversational service: you text requests, Otto responds. Message frequency varies based on your usage. If you text Otto once per week, you will receive approximately one response per week plus occasional service updates. If you use Otto multiple times daily, you will receive multiple messages daily.

We do not send marketing messages or unsolicited promotional texts. Every message relates directly to the meal planning, grocery ordering, or cooking service you requested.

3.3 Your Carrier May Charge You

Your wireless provider may charge standard messaging rates based on your plan. Otto doesn't charge for the service, but your carrier might charge you per message. iMessage delivery between Apple devices uses data instead of SMS rates. Check with your carrier about their messaging rates.

3.4 Supported Carriers

Otto works with major U.S. carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others. If messages don't arrive, it's usually a carrier issue, not Otto. We can't guarantee delivery; that depends on your carrier's network.

4. How to Stop Messages (Opt-Out)

4.1 Stop Anytime

You can stop getting messages from Otto anytime by texting any of these words to Otto's number:

You'll get a final confirmation text. After that, Otto won't text you again unless you restart.

4.2 Restart Anytime

Stopped using Otto and changed your mind? You can restart by:

4.3 Support

Text HELP to Otto, email hello@ottothetomato.com, or visit ottothetomato.com.

5. What Otto Does

5.1 Core Services

Otto provides the following services:

5.2 Otto Uses AI: Here's What That Means

Otto uses artificial intelligence (large language models) to generate meal suggestions and cooking instructions. This is automated, not a human nutritionist or chef.

Important: AI-generated content may contain errors. Meal suggestions may not account for allergies if not clearly specified. Cooking instructions may not address edge cases specific to your kitchen, equipment, or skill level.

You're responsible for verifying everything. Check ingredients against your allergies. Follow proper food safety. If you have medical or dietary conditions, use Otto's suggestions as a starting point, not medical advice.

5.3 You're in Charge of Food Safety

Before eating or cooking anything Otto suggests, you must:

If you have allergies, religious restrictions, or medical conditions: tell Otto clearly, then verify independently that every ingredient is safe.

6. Third-Party Grocery Services

6.1 Otto Doesn't Handle Your Money

Otto never touches payment information, credit cards, or bank details. All shopping and payment goes through the grocery delivery service you use. You control the transaction, not Otto.

6.2 Grocery Delivery Is a Separate Service

Otto may integrate with third-party grocery delivery services (such as Instacart) to help you order groceries. When you use Otto's grocery feature, you're also agreeing to that service's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Otto builds the cart. The grocery delivery service handles checkout, payment, and delivery.

Read your grocery service's terms before completing any order. You're buying from them, not from Otto.

6.3 We Don't Control Prices, Availability, or Delivery

Otto is not responsible for:

Contact your grocery delivery service directly for any questions about your order.

6.4 Otto Uses Twilio for Text Messages

Otto's messaging service uses Twilio's infrastructure for SMS delivery and Apple's iMessage platform. Your messages may go through Twilio's servers or Apple's iMessage servers depending on your device. Twilio's privacy practices and terms apply to SMS message delivery.

7. How to Use Otto Responsibly

7.1 Accuracy of Information

Meal planning effectiveness depends on accurate information about household size, allergies, dietary preferences, and cooking skill. You agree to provide truthful and complete information.

7.2 Don't Use Otto For These Things

7.3 Your Messages

When you text Otto, we store your messages and conversation history. We use this data to:

8. Otto's Availability

8.1 "As-Is" Service

Otto is provided as-is, without guarantees of any kind. We don't promise it will never break, always be fast, or always be available.

8.2 No Uptime Guarantee

Otto might go down for maintenance, updates, security fixes, carrier issues, or other reasons. We'll do our best to keep it running, but we don't promise specific uptime percentages.

8.3 Otto Can Change or Stop

We reserve the right to modify, pause, or shut down Otto (or any feature) at any time, with or without notice. Continuing to use Otto means you accept any changes.

9. No Warranties

Otto comes with no warranties. We don't warrant that meal suggestions will suit your needs, that cooking instructions will work perfectly, that groceries will be available, or that the service will be error-free.

10. Our Liability Is Limited

10.1 We're Not Liable For Indirect Damages

Otto is not liable for lost profits, lost data, lost opportunity, or other indirect damages. This applies even if we knew such damages were possible.

10.2 Total Liability Cap

Otto's total liability to you for any reason is capped at the amount you paid Otto in the past 12 months. Since Otto is free, this cap is $0.

10.3 Exceptions

The above limits don't apply to our gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, or violations of law.

10.4 Third-Party Services Aren't Our Responsibility

Otto isn't liable for issues with third-party grocery delivery services, Twilio, your wireless carrier, or any other third-party service.

11. You Defend Otto

If someone sues us because of how you used Otto, you agree to cover our legal costs (including attorney fees). This applies to claims arising from your use of Otto, violations of these Terms, violations of law, or harm you cause others.

12. Otto's Intellectual Property

All of Otto (the character, logo, website, meal suggestions, cooking instructions, design, and code) belongs to Otto the Tomato LLC. You can use Otto for your own meal planning and cooking, nothing more. You can't copy, republish, reverse-engineer, or commercialize Otto's content without permission.

13. Disputes and Arbitration

13.1 California Law

These Terms are governed by California law.

13.2 Binding Arbitration

Any dispute between you and Otto will be resolved by binding arbitration, not in court. A neutral arbitrator (not a judge or jury) will hear both sides and make a final decision. Arbitration will be individual (just you and Otto), conducted under JAMS rules in San Francisco or via video conference.

13.3 Small Claims Court Is Always An Option

You can skip arbitration and sue in small claims court if your claim qualifies.

13.4 Opt Out of Arbitration

Don't like arbitration? Send Otto a written notice within 30 days of first agreeing to these Terms. Include your name, phone number, and a clear statement that you're opting out. Send to: hello@ottothetomato.com

14. Changes to These Terms

Otto may update these Terms. If the changes are major, we'll notify you by email, iMessage, SMS, or by updating the "Effective Date" above. Continuing to use Otto after a change means you accept it.

15. Contact Otto

Email: hello@ottothetomato.com
Text: Reply HELP to Otto
Website: ottothetomato.com
Mail: Otto the Tomato LLC, San Francisco, CA 94103 (Attn: Legal)

16. Severability and Entire Agreement

If any part of these Terms is found invalid, the rest stays in effect. These Terms and our Privacy Policy are the complete agreement between you and Otto.

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