InstaEvent / Hey Benson Privacy Policy

InstaEvent Inc. / Hey Benson®

Effective Date: Upon Publication
Version: 4.1

InstaEvent Inc., doing business as Hey Benson® ("InstaEvent," "Hey Benson," "Benson," "we," "us," or "our"), respects your privacy and is committed to protecting personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, retain, and delete information through our websites, mobile applications, and related services.

This Policy applies to InstaEvent.com, HeyBenson.com, the Hey Benson mobile application, and related services operated by InstaEvent Inc.

Hey Benson is a social planning assistant that helps people discover activities, organize events, invite friends, manage RSVPs, coordinate group plans, and receive event-related communications.

1. Our Privacy Commitments

We follow these principles:

We do not sell personal information.
We do not sell, rent, or share mobile phone numbers or SMS consent information with third parties or affiliates for their independent marketing or promotional purposes.
We do not upload or store users' entire phone address books.
We collect contact information only for individuals specifically selected for invitations or other supported actions.
We provide users with controls over optional communications and device permissions.
We provide mechanisms for account deletion and privacy requests.
We use reasonable security safeguards designed to protect information.
We collect, retain, and disclose information for the purposes described in this Policy.

Where legally required, we obtain consent before collecting, processing, or disclosing personal information.

Acceptance of this Privacy Policy does not, by itself, constitute consent to receive optional automated SMS notifications.

2. Information We Collect

Account Information

When users register for or use Hey Benson, we may collect:

Name and display name.
Email address.
Mobile phone number.
Profile photograph.
Account identifiers.
Authentication and verification information.
Account preferences and settings.
Customer support communications.

We use this information to create accounts, authenticate users, deliver requested services, protect accounts, and communicate about service-related matters.

Event and Planning Information

When users create or participate in events, we may process:

Event titles and descriptions.
Event dates, times, and locations.
Host and invitee information.
Guest lists and RSVP responses.
Event messages and discussions.
Polls, votes, and planning preferences.
Event changes and cancellations.
Photographs, invitation images, and uploaded content.
Notification and invitation delivery information.

Event information may be visible to the host and authorized participants, depending on the event and available application features.

Contacts and Invitations

Hey Benson may request permission to access a user's device contacts to simplify inviting friends and family.

Hey Benson does not upload or store the user's entire address book.

Only contact information for individuals specifically selected by the user for an invitation or another supported action is transmitted to our systems.

This information may include the selected person's name, phone number, email address, and related invitation history.

Contact permission is optional and may be changed through device settings.

Contact information may also be entered manually.

We do not automatically create Hey Benson accounts for invited individuals.

Guests Without Hey Benson Accounts

Individuals do not need to install Hey Benson or create an account to receive invitations or respond through supported guest features.

When a user invites someone, we may receive that person's name, email address, or phone number from the event organizer.

We use this information to:

Deliver the requested invitation where authorized.
Display event details.
Collect and manage RSVP responses.
Maintain event participation records.
Provide communications requested or authorized by the guest.
Prevent unwanted or duplicate messaging.
Protect against spam, fraud, or misuse.

Receiving an invitation does not automatically subscribe a guest to promotional communications or recurring SMS notifications.

Guests may request deletion of eligible information by contacting support@heybenson.com.

Location Information

With applicable permissions or through information entered manually, we may process:

Approximate location.
Precise device location.
City or geographic region.
Event destinations.
Venue search locations.
Information needed for maps or distance estimates.

We use location information to suggest nearby places and activities, support event planning, and provide location-related features.

Event locations may be shared with people who have access to the associated event.

Users can control device location permissions. Disabling them may limit location-based functionality.

Messages and Conversations

We may process:

Messages sent to Benson.
Group and event chat messages.
Planning requests.
RSVP responses.
Event comments.
Customer support communications.
Related communication metadata.

Messages may contain information voluntarily provided by users or other event participants.

Users should avoid sharing unnecessary sensitive personal information about themselves or others.

Device, Usage, and Technical Information

We may automatically collect:

IP address.
Device and browser information.
Operating system and application version.
Device or session identifiers.
Website pages visited.
Feature usage and interaction information.
Approximate geographic information.
Diagnostic and error logs.
Authentication and security information.

We use technical information to operate, secure, troubleshoot, analyze, and improve the services.

Purchases, Credits, and Subscriptions

Where offered, Hey Benson may provide digital credits, subscriptions, or premium features.

When purchases are processed through Apple App Store or Google Play, those platforms process the payment.

We do not receive complete payment card details for transactions processed by those platforms.

We may process transaction identifiers, receipts, purchase history, credit balances, subscription status, refunds, and related records to administer transactions and meet business or legal obligations.

3. Invitations, SMS, MMS, and Notifications

Hey Benson supports event invitations and notifications through available communication channels, which may include SMS, MMS, email, and push notifications.

These communications may include invitations, RSVP requests, event information, changes, cancellations, and other service-related messages.

3.1 SMS Invitations to Guests

When an event organizer individually selects a guest and initiates an invitation, Hey Benson may send an SMS or MMS invitation where authorized by applicable law and messaging-provider requirements.

The invitation may include:

The organizer's name.
Identification of Hey Benson.
Event information.
An RSVP link.
Applicable opt-out instructions.

A guest who does not have a Hey Benson account is not automatically enrolled in recurring SMS messages.

Our intended standard invitation workflow limits guests without additional SMS consent to a single initial invitation per invitation action.

Guests who do not respond are not sent automated SMS RSVP reminders under this workflow.

Guests may respond to an invitation without installing Hey Benson.

3.2 Registered Users' Notification Preferences

Registered users can manage available communication preferences through Hey Benson's notification settings.

For newly registered users, the intended default settings are:

Push notifications: Enabled within the application, subject to device permissions.
Email notifications: Enabled, subject to applicable law and user preferences.
SMS event notifications: Disabled unless the user affirmatively opts in.

Users can change applicable preferences through the app.

Device-level notification permissions may separately affect whether push notifications are delivered.

3.3 Optional Critical Event SMS Notifications

Registered users may choose to enable SMS notifications for critical event information.

These notifications are intended to cover material changes affecting an event, including:

Event date changes.
Event time changes.
Event location changes.
Event cancellations.

Optional critical-event SMS notifications are not intended to include ordinary promotional messages or routine event reminders.

Before enabling these notifications, users are presented with applicable SMS consent disclosures.

Enabling SMS requires an affirmative action.

We maintain records of applicable consent, which may include the phone number, consent date and time, consent status, and disclosure version or method.

Users may disable optional SMS notifications through their notification settings or by using supported opt-out commands.

3.4 SMS Consent and Opt-Out

We send SMS and MMS messages in accordance with applicable laws, carrier requirements, and messaging-provider policies.

Where required, appropriate recipient consent is obtained before messages are sent.

Users and guests may opt out of applicable SMS messages by replying STOP.

For assistance, recipients may reply HELP, where supported, or contact support@heybenson.com.

Message and data rates may apply.

Message frequency depends on the communications a recipient has authorized and the associated event activity.

We maintain applicable suppression records to honor opt-out requests.

Mobile information and SMS consent information are not sold, rented, or disclosed to third parties or affiliates for their independent marketing or promotional use.

Information may be provided to messaging service providers to deliver and manage authorized messages on our behalf.

Mobile carriers are not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages.

3.5 Email and Push Notifications

Hey Benson may send email and push notifications for event invitations, RSVPs, reminders, changes, cancellations, and other relevant service activities.

Registered users may manage available email and push notification preferences through the application.

Guests may receive event-related email communications where permitted by law.

Marketing email communications include applicable unsubscribe mechanisms.

3.6 Post-Event Communications

Hey Benson may provide post-event messages, memories, or follow-up features to eligible participants.

Post-event participation follow-ups are intended for event hosts and guests who accepted an invitation or indicated they might attend.

Guests who declined or never responded are not intended to receive automated post-event memory follow-ups.

Post-event communications remain subject to applicable notification settings and consent requirements.

4. Artificial Intelligence and Conversation Processing

Hey Benson uses artificial intelligence and related technology to help people plan and coordinate social activities.

These features may:

Interpret planning requests.
Recommend venues and activities.
Suggest event details.
Generate invitations and descriptions.
Help organize group preferences.
Assist with planning conversations.
Provide contextual recommendations.

AI Processing and Consent

When using Benson's AI features, relevant user-provided information may be processed by third-party AI technology providers to generate responses.

This may include messages, event information, user preferences, and relevant conversation context.

Hey Benson presents an AI-related disclosure and consent mechanism where required before personal information is transmitted to third-party AI services.

We do not sell private conversations to advertisers.

Conversation Context

Benson may use existing conversation history and associated planning information to provide relevant responses.

This does not necessarily involve maintaining a separate, permanent personal memory profile.

Information may be processed or retained within our systems where necessary for the associated feature.

Third-party providers may retain limited information according to their agreements, technical configurations, and applicable legal requirements.

AI Provider Retention and Deletion

When an account is deleted, eligible personal information and conversation records associated with the account are deleted or anonymized from active Hey Benson systems, subject to lawful retention exceptions.

Where applicable, we take reasonable steps to address information processed by service providers in accordance with their available deletion mechanisms and contractual obligations.

We do not guarantee immediate deletion from every third-party system, security log, or backup.

AI Accuracy

AI-generated responses may be incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated.

Users should independently verify important details, including venue availability, prices, schedules, directions, reservations, and event arrangements.

Hey Benson does not use AI to make decisions producing legal or similarly significant effects concerning individuals.

5. Sensitive Information

Users may voluntarily provide information such as dietary restrictions, allergies, accessibility needs, health-related preferences, or religious or cultural preferences relevant to planning.

We may process this information to provide requested features and recommendations.

Users are not required to provide sensitive information for ordinary planning features unless it is necessary for a particular requested service.

We do not sell sensitive personal information.

We encourage users not to disclose unnecessary sensitive information about themselves or others.

6. Website Analytics and Cookies

InstaEvent.com and HeyBenson.com use Google Analytics to understand website traffic, user engagement, and website performance.

Google Analytics may process information such as:

Website pages visited.
Browser and device information.
Approximate geographic information.
Referral sources.
Session activity.
Cookie identifiers and interaction information.

We use this information to measure website performance, troubleshoot issues, and improve our services.

Our stated website analytics practices do not include the use of advertising pixels for cross-context behavioral advertising.

Google may process information according to the relevant service configuration and applicable contractual and privacy terms.

Users may manage applicable cookies through browser settings and any privacy controls provided by our websites.

Where applicable law requires additional notice, consent, or opt-out rights, we provide the required mechanisms.

7. How We Use Personal Information

We use personal information to:

Create and maintain accounts.
Authenticate users.
Operate our websites and applications.
Create and manage events.
Deliver authorized invitations and notifications.
Manage RSVP responses.
Provide group planning and messaging.
Deliver AI-powered assistance.
Provide venue and activity recommendations.
Process eligible purchases.
Provide customer support.
Troubleshoot technical issues.
Improve performance and reliability.
Prevent fraud, spam, and abuse.
Protect users and our systems.
Enforce our Terms & Conditions.
Maintain appropriate business records.
Comply with applicable law.

We do not use information for materially incompatible purposes without providing the notice or obtaining the consent required by law.

8. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Event Hosts and Participants

Information associated with an event may be visible to its host and authorized participants.

This may include names, profile photographs, RSVP responses, event messages, comments, preferences shared within an event, and uploaded media.

Other participants may independently retain information they have seen or received.

Service Providers

We may disclose information to providers that support:

Hosting and cloud infrastructure.
Databases and storage.
Authentication and security.
AI processing.
SMS, MMS, and email delivery.
Push notifications.
Maps, places, and weather services.
Analytics.
Payment processing.
Customer support.
Fraud detection and monitoring.

Service providers are expected to process information for authorized service-related purposes, subject to applicable contractual and legal requirements.

External Booking and Referral Services

Benson may recommend or link to external venues, travel providers, ticket sellers, attractions, and reservation services.

Some links may involve affiliate or referral relationships.

Third-party providers may independently collect information when users visit their websites or complete transactions.

We do not automatically provide a user's entire contact list or private conversation history to an external venue merely because it is recommended.

Legal Disclosures

We may disclose information when reasonably necessary to:

Comply with applicable law.
Respond to lawful legal process.
Investigate fraud or security incidents.
Protect users or others.
Enforce our agreements.
Establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

Business Transactions

Information may be disclosed or transferred in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, restructuring, asset sale, bankruptcy, or similar business transaction, subject to applicable law.

9. Sale of Personal Information and Advertising

InstaEvent Inc. does not sell personal information.

We do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising unless we disclose the practice and provide legally required choices.

We do not knowingly sell or share personal information of minors.

We do not sell or share mobile telephone numbers or SMS consent information with outside parties for their independent marketing purposes.

If our practices materially change, we will update this Policy and provide additional notices and controls where required by law.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide our services, support legitimate operations, protect our systems, and comply with applicable law.

Retention periods vary depending on the information and its purpose.

Account and Event Information

Account information and associated event records may be retained while necessary for active services.

Chat messages, event details, and uploaded content may remain associated with an account or event until deleted or no longer needed, subject to lawful exceptions.

Legal and Business Records

InstaEvent Inc. generally retains eligible legal, administrative, and business records for up to three years, unless a longer or different retention period is required or permitted for a legitimate purpose.

Exceptions may include:

Tax and accounting requirements.
Financial transactions and disputes.
Litigation or anticipated legal proceedings.
Regulatory obligations.
Fraud and security investigations.
Other lawful retention requirements.

The three-year period is a general business-record guideline and does not mean all personal information is retained for three years.

Security and Messaging Records

Limited records may be retained as reasonably necessary to protect systems, prevent misuse, demonstrate applicable consent, and honor communication opt-outs.

Consent records may be retained for the period necessary to meet applicable legal and messaging-provider obligations.

Disaster-Recovery Backups

We may maintain backups for disaster recovery, security, and business continuity.

Information deleted from active systems may temporarily remain in backups created before deletion.

Backups are retained according to applicable backup rotation schedules and are not ordinarily used to restore deleted accounts.

Residual information is removed as backups expire.

If a backup containing previously deleted information is restored, we take reasonable steps to reapply applicable deletion requests.

Our internal backup architecture and security configuration are not publicly disclosed in detail.

11. Account and Data Deletion

Users may request deletion of their Hey Benson account through available in-app account controls or by contacting support@heybenson.com.

When an account is deleted, eligible personal information is deleted or anonymized from active systems, subject to applicable legal and operational exceptions.

Limited information may remain where necessary for:

Financial or tax obligations.
Legal compliance.
Security or fraud prevention.
Dispute resolution.
SMS opt-out records.
Other lawful purposes.

Information associated with shared events may require separate handling to protect the rights of other participants or preserve records lawfully maintained by the service.

Guests without accounts may request deletion of eligible personal information by emailing support@heybenson.com.

We may reasonably verify the identity or authority of someone submitting a privacy request.

12. Privacy Rights and Choices

Depending on location and applicable law, individuals may have rights to:

Access personal information.
Request correction.
Request deletion.
Receive certain personal information in a portable format.
Withdraw consent.
Opt out of eligible marketing.
Opt out of certain data sharing.
Limit applicable sensitive-information processing.
Appeal certain privacy decisions where required.

Requests may be submitted to support@heybenson.com.

We may require identity verification and will respond within applicable legal time limits.

We do not unlawfully discriminate against individuals for exercising applicable privacy rights.

13. California and Other U.S. State Privacy Rights

InstaEvent Inc. operates from California.

Where the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended, or other state privacy laws apply to us, we provide the applicable notices, privacy rights, and request mechanisms.

Categories of information we may process include:

Identifiers and contact information.
Account and authentication information.
Online and application activity.
Geolocation information.
Communications and event participation.
Purchase and transaction information.
Uploaded content.
Voluntarily provided sensitive information.
Preferences or inferences derived from relevant interactions.

The purposes for collection and processing are described throughout this Policy.

Categories of recipients are described in Section 8.

Retention practices are described in Section 10.

California residents may contact support@heybenson.com regarding applicable privacy rights.

Where required, we provide appropriate processes for authorized agents, recognized privacy preference signals, and additional notices.

14. Children’s Privacy

Hey Benson is intended for individuals aged 18 or older.

Individuals under 18 are not permitted to create Hey Benson accounts.

We do not knowingly solicit personal information directly from minors for account registration.

If we learn that personal information about a minor has been collected in circumstances prohibited by applicable law, we will take appropriate steps, including deletion where required.

Parents and guardians may contact support@heybenson.com with concerns.

15. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect personal information.

These measures may include:

Secure data transmission.
Authentication and access controls.
Restricted access to systems.
Security monitoring.
Data minimization.
Appropriate infrastructure safeguards.
Backup and recovery protections.

No website, application, or information system can be guaranteed completely secure.

We cannot guarantee that unauthorized access, cyberattacks, data loss, or other security incidents will never occur.

Users should protect their account credentials and promptly report suspected unauthorized activity.

16. Device Permissions

Hey Benson may request device permissions for:

Contacts.
Location.
Camera.
Photos and media.
Microphone or voice features, where supported.
Push notifications.

Permissions are requested in connection with relevant features.

Users may manage permissions through their device settings.

Disabling certain permissions may limit associated functionality.

Where audio recording, transcription, or voice-processing features are available, we provide required permissions and applicable disclosures.

17. International Processing

InstaEvent Inc. operates from the United States and primarily serves users in the United States and Canada.

Personal information may be processed or stored in the United States or other countries where our providers operate.

International processing is subject to applicable legal requirements and appropriate safeguards where required.

18. Third-Party Websites and Services

Hey Benson may link to independently operated websites, venues, maps, ticket platforms, travel services, booking providers, and app stores.

Third-party organizations maintain their own privacy practices and terms.

Their policies govern information collected directly through their services.

We are not responsible for independently controlled third-party privacy practices.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect changes to our services, information practices, legal requirements, or security measures.

Material changes may be communicated through our websites, applications, email, or another appropriate method.

Where required by law, we will obtain additional consent before implementing relevant changes.

The current version will identify its effective date.

20. Contact Information

For questions, account deletion, privacy requests, or communications concerns:

InstaEvent Inc.
Doing business as Hey Benson®

10755-F Scripps Poway Pkwy #472
San Diego, CA 92131
United States

Email: support@heybenson.com

Websites:
https://instaevent.com
https://heybenson.com

SMS Assistance: Reply HELP where supported.
SMS Opt-Out: Reply STOP.

Hey Benson® is a service of InstaEvent Inc.