How we handle your information.
Hosta is built on text — and trust. This policy explains what we collect, why we collect it, and how we keep it safe.
Who we are
Hosta is a text-based event-planning concierge service operated by AE101 LLC, a California limited liability company doing business as Hosta ("Hosta," "we," "our," or "us"). This Privacy Policy applies to texthosta.com and to messages sent via our SMS, MMS, and WhatsApp services.
By using our website or messaging services, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.
What we collect
Information you give us directly
- Phone number — required to send and receive messages.
- Name — to address you personally and connect you with the right vendors.
- Event details you share with us by text (event type, date, headcount, dietary needs, budget, location, etc.).
- Vendor profile information (for caterers and home cooks): cuisines offered, capacity, service area, pricing, availability, and similar business details.
Information we collect automatically
- Message metadata — timestamps, delivery status, message direction, and the channel used (SMS, MMS, WhatsApp).
- Website usage data — pages visited, basic device information, referral source. We use this in aggregate to improve the site.
We do not ask for or store: government ID numbers, social security numbers, banking credentials, or payment card data on our servers. Any payments are processed by third-party providers (such as Stripe), who handle that information directly under their own privacy policies.
How we use your information
We use the information you share to:
- Send you the messages you requested — event quotes, booking confirmations, vendor recommendations, availability updates, and follow-up questions.
- Match you with appropriate vendors based on the details you share.
- Improve our service quality, including the relevance of replies and recommendations.
- Provide customer support when you reach out.
- Comply with legal obligations and protect against fraud or abuse.
We do not use your information for unrelated marketing, sell your data to third parties, or share your phone number with anyone for promotional purposes.
📱 SMS, MMS, and WhatsApp messaging
How you opt in. You opt in by submitting your phone number through a form on texthosta.com or by initiating a conversation with us via SMS or WhatsApp. By providing your phone number, you agree to receive transactional and conversational messages from Hosta related to your event-planning needs.
What you'll receive. Messages are conversational in nature: welcome messages, event quotes, booking confirmations, vendor information, availability updates, and follow-up questions. Message frequency varies based on your conversation with us.
Carrier and message rates. Message and data rates may apply, depending on your wireless plan. Hosta does not charge for messages.
How to stop messages. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message from us. After replying STOP, you will receive a confirmation message and no further messages from that conversation thread, except as required to respond to your final message.
How to get help. Reply HELP at any time for assistance, or contact us using the information at the bottom of this page.
No third-party sharing of phone numbers. Mobile information collected through our SMS, MMS, and WhatsApp programs — including phone numbers and opt-in status — is not shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information may be shared only with subprocessors that operate our messaging infrastructure (such as Twilio) strictly to deliver the service. This restriction does not apply to information shared with our vendors at your direction (for example, when we connect you with a caterer for your event).
Who we share information with
We share information only as needed to operate the service:
- Vendors you ask to be matched with. When you ask for a quote or booking, we may share relevant event details (your name, event date, headcount, location, dietary needs) with the vendor so they can serve you.
- Service providers who help us operate the platform — including Twilio (SMS/WhatsApp delivery), Anthropic (AI-assisted reply drafting), and Google (data storage). These providers are contractually required to protect your information and use it only to deliver our service.
- Legal authorities when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, safety, and property of Hosta, our users, or the public.
We do not sell your personal information.
How we keep your information safe
We use industry-standard practices to protect your data — including encryption in transit (HTTPS), secure storage with reputable cloud providers, limited internal access, and credential rotation. No system is perfectly secure, but we treat your information with the seriousness it deserves.
How long we keep your information
We keep your information for as long as you use our service, plus a reasonable period afterward to comply with legal, accounting, and operational requirements. You may request deletion at any time using the contact details below.
Your rights and choices
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you.
- Correct inaccurate information.
- Request deletion of your information.
- Opt out of messaging at any time (reply STOP to any message).
- Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information below. California residents may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Children's privacy
Hosta is intended for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe we have collected information from a minor, please contact us so we can delete it.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as our service evolves or as required by law. When we make material changes, we'll update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For significant changes, we'll also notify users by text where reasonable.
Contact us
Questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information? We read every message.
Hosta (AE101 LLC)
Email: hello@texthosta.com
Website: texthosta.com
Mailing address available on request.