HotSpot User Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: February 18, 2026
Last Updated: February 18, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By clicking "I Agree" or "Create Account," downloading the HotSpot app, or using any HotSpot services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Agreement and our Privacy Policy.

2. Eligibility and Age Requirement

By creating an account, you represent and warrant that:

• You are at least 17 years of age
• You have the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement
• You are not barred from using the Services under applicable law

3. Account Registration and Security

You are responsible for:

• Providing accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintaining the confidentiality of your password
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying HotSpot immediately of any unauthorized access

You must NOT:

• Share your account credentials with anyone
• Create multiple accounts or use bots
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Misrepresent your identity, age, or affiliation

4. Service Description

HotSpot is a mobile application that helps users discover venues, check in at locations, receive promotions, connect with friends, and explore nightlife.

Core Features:

• Venue Discovery: Browse and search for bars, clubs, restaurants, and events
• Check-Ins: Check in at venues via QR code or geofence
• Live Stats: See real-time venue activity (crowd size, demographics)
• Promotions: Receive and redeem exclusive deals, Hot Alerts, and Hot Drops
• Hot Sync: Connect with friends and see their real-time check-ins
• Favorites: Save your favorite venues

5. Location Data and Privacy

5.1 Background Location Permission

HotSpot requests "Always Allow" location permission to enable:

• Geofence monitoring: Automatically detect when you enter/exit venues
• Low-power updates: Refresh nearby venue list when you move significantly

Battery Impact: Our geofence-based approach typically uses <0.1% battery per hour.

5.2 Location Accuracy

• GPS accuracy typically ranges from 5-50 meters
• Check-ins may occasionally fail if GPS accuracy is insufficient
• Dense urban areas or indoor locations may experience reduced accuracy

6. Data Collection and How We Use It

6.1 Personal Information We Collect

Account Information: Email, username, password, first/last name (optional), phone (optional), birthday (required)

Profile Data:

• Gender identity
• Relationship status
• Drink preferences (Beer, Liquor, Wine)
• Favorite drinks (e.g., Margarita, IPA, Tequila Shots)
• Music preferences (up to 2: Hip-hop, EDM, Latin, Country, Rock, Pop, R&B, House)
• Vibes (up to 2: Party, Dancing, Socializing, Sports, Date Night, Chill)

Usage Data: Check-in history, favorite venues, promotion redemptions, Hot Sync connections

Device Data: Device type, OS, app version, push token, IP address

6.2 How We Use Your Data

• Authenticate your account and enable check-ins
• Send you personalized Hot Alerts and promotions based on your location and preferences
• Calculate venue live stats and demographics
• Connect you with friends via Hot Sync
• Improve services and develop new features
• Generate anonymized, aggregated venue analytics

7. How Your Data is Shared

7.1 Aggregated & Anonymized Demographics (Always Shared)

Venues receive anonymized, aggregated statistics including:

• Gender breakdown (e.g., "45% Female, 50% Male, 5% Non-binary")
• Average age (e.g., "Average age: 26")
• Relationship status breakdown (e.g., "60% Single, 30% In Relationship")
• Active check-in count (e.g., "12 people currently checked in")
• Drink/music/vibe preferences (e.g., "70% prefer Liquor, 40% like Hip-hop")

These stats are NEVER linked to your individual identity. Venues see only aggregated percentages.

7.2 Individual Check-In Data (Shared When You Redeem Promotions)

When you redeem a promotion, venue staff sees:

• Your first name
• Redemption timestamp
• Promotion details

Venue does NOT see: Your last name, email, phone, or demographic data.

7.3 Data Shared with Friends (Hot Sync)

IF you accept a Hot Sync connection:

• Your connected friends can see your real-time check-ins (venue name and location) ONLY when you are checked in
• Friends CANNOT see your historical check-ins, location when not checked in, or demographic data

You can disconnect from friends at any time in Settings.

7.4 Data We NEVER Share

• We NEVER sell your personal data to advertisers
• We NEVER share your email or phone with venues
• We NEVER share your exact GPS coordinates (only venue check-ins)
• We NEVER share your Hot Sync connections with venues

8. Hot Sync and Friend Connections

What Friends See: Your current check-in (venue name, location, check-in time) ONLY when checked in

What Friends DON'T See: Your location when not checked in, historical check-ins, demographic data, or other connections

9. Check-Ins and Venue Interactions

9.1 Check-In Methods

• QR Code Check-In: Scan venue's unique QR code (most accurate)
• Geofence Check-In: Automatically detects when you enter a venue's boundary

9.2 Check-In Rules

9.3 Automatic Checkout

HotSpot automatically checks you out when:

• You exit the venue's geofence
• 6 hours have passed since check-in (failsafe timeout)
• You manually check out via the app

10. Promotions, Hot Alerts, and Hot Drops

10.1 Types of Promotions

• Check-In Promotions: Automatically delivered when you check in
• Hot Alerts (Pink): Time-sensitive push notifications for checked-in, nearby, or favorited users
• Hot Drops (Red): Exclusive deals sent ONLY to currently checked-in users

10.2 Redemption Rules

• Most promotions can only be redeemed once per user
• Hot Drop redemptions require you to be physically present at the venue
• Promotions expire after a set duration or redemption limit

11. Push Notifications

You can control notifications in Settings:

• Transactional (cannot opt out): Check-in confirmations, security alerts, Hot Sync requests
• Promotional (can opt out): Hot Alerts, Hot Drops, friend check-in notifications

12. User Conduct and Responsibilities

13. Alcohol-Related Content and Age Verification

13.1 ID Verification at Venues

13.2 Responsible Alcohol Consumption

• Do not use HotSpot to encourage excessive drinking or drunk driving
• Do not check in while intoxicated to the point of endangering yourself or others
• Do not participate in dangerous drinking games or challenges
• If you are 21+, do not purchase alcohol for anyone under 21

13.3 Venue Rights

Venues have the right to:

• Request ID verification (even if you appear over 21)
• Refuse service if you cannot provide valid ID
• Refuse service if you appear intoxicated
• Eject patrons who are disruptive or underage
• Report suspected underage drinking to authorities

13.4 HotSpot's Role

HotSpot is NOT responsible for:

• Verifying your age at point of alcohol service (venue's responsibility)
• Monitoring your alcohol consumption
• Preventing underage drinking or alcohol abuse
• Injuries, accidents, or deaths related to alcohol
• Drunk driving accidents or DUI arrests
• Alcohol poisoning or health issues

14. Intellectual Property

HotSpot owns all rights to the app, trademarks, logos, and platform. You may not copy, reproduce, reverse engineer, or use our intellectual property without permission.

15. Disclaimer of Warranties and Accuracy

16. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

• HotSpot is NOT liable for indirect damages (loss of profits, data, emotional distress)
• HotSpot is NOT liable for personal injury, property damage, or venue-related incidents
• HotSpot is NOT liable for venue's failure to honor promotions
• HotSpot is NOT liable for other users' conduct
• Total liability capped at $100 USD (or amount paid in last 12 months)

17. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless HotSpot from any claims arising out of:

• Your breach of this Agreement
• Your violation of any law
• Your conduct while using HotSpot
• Underage drinking violations, including using fake IDs or misrepresenting your age
• Providing alcohol to minors or facilitating underage drinking
• Drunk driving accidents, DUI arrests, or alcohol-related injuries
• Alcohol poisoning or alcohol-related health issues
• False check-ins, GPS spoofing, or promotion fraud
• Personal injury or property damage you cause
• Criminal charges or fines related to your use of HotSpot
• Violations of state or federal alcohol laws

18. Termination and Account Deletion

You can delete your account anytime in Settings > Account > Delete Account. All data will be permanently deleted within 30 days.

HotSpot may suspend or terminate your account if you violate this Agreement or engage in fraudulent activity.

19. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

20. General Provisions

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and HotSpot. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect.