Scout is a private recommendation memory and sharing service operated via SMS. This Privacy Policy explains what information Scout collects, how it is used, and how it is protected. By texting the Scout number, you agree to this policy.

1. What We Collect

Scout collects only the information necessary to provide the service:

• Your phone number. This is your identity in Scout. It is how the system recognizes you and routes messages to you.
• Your first name. Used to attribute your recommendations to you when they are shared with your connected network.
• The text messages you send to Scout. These are stored so Scout can remember your recommendations and respond to your queries.
• Recommendations you log. The place name, category, location, and context you provide when saving a recommendation.
• Connection relationships. The mutual connections you have opted into with other Scout users.

We do not collect your email address, home address, payment information, or any other personal data beyond what is listed above.

2. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used exclusively to operate Scout:

• To remember and retrieve your saved recommendations when you ask for them
• To share your recommendations with people you are mutually connected to, attributed to you by first name
• To send you SMS responses to your queries
• To improve how Scout understands and responds to messages

We do not use your information for advertising, marketing, or any purpose unrelated to the Scout service.

3. How Your Recommendations Are Shared

Your recommendations are visible to:

• You — always, when you query Scout
• Your first-degree connections — people you have mutually opted into a connection with inside Scout

Your recommendations are never visible to people outside your connected network and are never shared publicly. When your recommendation is surfaced to a connection, it is attributed to you by first name only.

4. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored in a secure database with encryption at rest. All communication between Scout's systems occurs over encrypted connections. Your phone number is never logged in plain text in system logs.

SMS messages are transmitted via Twilio, a third-party messaging provider. Standard SMS is not end-to-end encrypted by nature — this is a limitation of the SMS protocol, not specific to Scout.

5. Third-Party Services

Scout uses the following third-party services to operate:

• Twilio — SMS delivery and receipt
• Anthropic — AI language processing to understand and respond to your messages
• Google Maps — to look up location links for places you log

Each of these services has its own privacy policy. Your messages may be processed by these services as part of Scout's normal operation.

6. Data Retention

Your data is retained for as long as you are an active Scout user. If you request deletion of your account and all associated data, we will fulfill that request within 30 days. To request deletion, text "DELETE MY ACCOUNT" to the Scout number or contact us directly.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request a copy of all data Scout holds about you
• Request correction of any inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your account and all associated data
• Opt out of Scout at any time by replying STOP to any Scout message

8. Children's Privacy

Scout is not intended for use by anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13.

9. Changes to This Policy

If this Privacy Policy changes materially, we will notify active users via SMS before the changes take effect.

10. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy can be directed to the Scout operator via the Scout SMS number.

---

Scout  ·  Privacy Policy  ·  Effective May 2026