Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, or using Howdy ("the App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use the App.

2. Description of Service

Howdy is a companion app designed to help seniors and their caregivers stay connected through daily check-ins, medication reminders, and awareness features including motion alerts and sound awareness.

The App provides two user roles: Senior (the person being cared for) and Caregiver (the person providing care). Users can pair with each other using a 6-digit code to establish a care connection.

3. User Accounts

Accounts are created anonymously — no email or password is required.
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your device and your pairing code.
You may delete your account and all associated data at any time through the App's Settings.

4. Medical & Regulatory Disclaimer

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Howdy is NOT a medical device. It is a general wellness and family connectivity application. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. The App is not a substitute for professional medical care, personal emergency response systems (PERS), or life-saving equipment.

Regulatory status: Howdy has not been evaluated, cleared, or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada, the Hong Kong Medical Device Control Office (MDCO), or any other medical device regulatory authority. This app is not classified as a medical device, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), or clinical decision support tool under the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction in which it is available.

Specifically:

Motion alerts use on-device AI to notice unusual motion patterns. This feature may not detect all falls, may produce false alerts, and should not be relied upon as a sole means of emergency detection or as a replacement for medical alert systems.
Sound alerts (smoke alarm awareness, etc.) are supplementary awareness features that may not work in all environments, with all device types, or in noisy conditions. They do not replace smoke detectors or fire safety equipment.
Check-in reminders and medication reminders are convenience features. They do not constitute medical advice, clinical monitoring, or medication management. Always follow your doctor's instructions.

By using this App, you acknowledge and agree that:

(a) Howdy may fail to notice motion events, emergencies, or other events;
(b) Howdy may produce false or inaccurate alerts;
(c) You should not rely solely on this App for emergency detection or response;
(d) You should always maintain alternative means of emergency communication and response;
(e) All safety features are supplementary awareness tools, not replacements for professional medical care or emergency services.

Always call emergency services (911 in the US and Canada / 999 in Hong Kong / 112 internationally) directly in case of a real emergency.

5. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

Use the App for any unlawful purpose.
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the App's servers or other users' accounts.
Use the App to harass, stalk, or monitor someone without their knowledge and consent.
Interfere with the proper functioning of the App.

6. Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your data.

7. Intellectual Property

The App, including its design, code, and content, is owned by Howdy and protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or reverse-engineer the App.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

Howdy is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.
We do not guarantee that the App will be available at all times, or that motion alerts, sound alerts, or notification delivery will be accurate or timely.
We are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the App, including but not limited to failure to notice motion events, emergencies, or missed notifications.
You use the App's safety features at your own risk and acknowledge that they are supplementary tools, not replacements for professional medical care or emergency services.

9. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the App at any time for violation of these terms. You may stop using the App and delete your account at any time.

10. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will post the updated terms on this page and update the "Last updated" date. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

11. Governing Law

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, without regard to conflict of law provisions. For users in Hong Kong, mandatory local consumer protection laws may also apply. For users in the United States, applicable state and federal laws will apply where required.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Howdy, its developers, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of the App, violation of these terms, or misuse of the App's safety or emergency features.

13. Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years of age to accept these Terms and use this App independently. The App is designed for adults, particularly seniors and their caregivers. By using the App, you represent that you are at least 18 years old.

The App Store content rating of 9+ reflects the suitability of the app's content. Minors under 18 may only use the App under the supervision and with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, who agrees to be bound by these Terms on their behalf.

14. Contact Us

Questions about these terms? Email us at: support@howdyai-app.com