Terms & Acceptable Use

These terms are between you (the Customer) and Ontech Solutions Limited (TPIN 2374025147, Lusaka, Zambia), and are read together with the Privacy & Data Protection notice and the master Ontech policy. Using the platform means you accept them.

• You are responsible for all activity under your account, API keys and sender IDs.
• Keep credentials confidential; report suspected compromise to support immediately.
• Provide accurate registration details and keep them current.
• Accounts are for the registered organisation — do not resell access unless you hold a reseller agreement.

• SMS credits are prepaid. One credit is consumed per message part; long messages use multiple parts.
• Credits are consumed when a message is accepted by the mobile network. A message accepted by the network but not delivered by the handset is not automatically refundable.
• Payments are processed via licensed mobile-money and card providers. Transaction references are retained for reconciliation and dispute resolution.
• Credits are non-transferable and hold no cash value.
• Billing disputes should be raised within 30 days of the transaction.

• Alphanumeric sender IDs must be registered with the mobile networks before use. Registration requires a signed authorization letter from the brand owner.
• You must only request sender IDs for brands you own or are authorised to represent. Impersonating another organisation is prohibited and will be reported.
• The shared system short code is available to all accounts for testing and production. Because it is shared, traffic on it is subject to stricter content screening — abuse affects every customer.
• Ontech may suspend a sender ID at a network's request or where misuse is suspected.

• Fraud and phishing — requesting PINs or passwords, fake prize or lottery wins, fake account-closure warnings, advance-fee or investment scams.
• Impersonation of a bank, network, government body or any organisation you do not represent.
• Unsolicited marketing. Marketing is opt-in only; you must hold a lawful basis for every recipient and be able to evidence it.
• Messaging anyone who has opted out, or attempting to bypass the opt-out list.
• Content that is unlawful, obscene, threatening, or that incites violence or hatred.
• Bulk sending to harvested, purchased or scraped number lists.

How this is enforced. Outbound messages are screened automatically. Content matching prohibited patterns is rejected before sending and no credits are charged. Spam-like content (link shorteners, "click here", excessive capitalisation) is delivered but flagged for review. Repeated flags may lead to suspension.

Recipient opt-out. Recipients may reply STOP at any time; the platform blocks further messages to that number automatically. You must honour opt-outs and must not re-add an opted-out number.

For the recipient data you upload, you are the Data Controller and Ontech is the Data Processor acting on your instructions. You therefore warrant that:

• You have a lawful basis under the Data Protection Act 2021 to process and message each recipient.
• You have given recipients the required privacy information.
• You will action data-subject requests relating to your contact lists, and will inform Ontech where our assistance is needed.

Ontech processes this data only to deliver your messages, bill you, and meet legal obligations — never for its own marketing. See the Privacy notice for retention periods and security measures.

• Ontech provides the platform on a commercially reasonable-efforts basis and may perform maintenance, with notice where practicable.
• Final delivery depends on the mobile networks. Ontech cannot guarantee delivery to any specific handset, and some networks do not return delivery confirmations — a message may legitimately remain "Submitted".
• Delivery may be affected by handset status, network faults, number portability, or regulatory action.
• Ontech is not liable for indirect or consequential loss arising from non-delivery or delay.

Ontech may suspend or terminate access where these terms are breached, where a mobile network or regulator requires it, where fraudulent or unlawful activity is suspected, or where payment obligations are unmet. Where practicable we give notice and an opportunity to remedy. On termination, unused credits are handled under the applicable service agreement, and data is retained or deleted per the retention schedule.