Privacy Policy

SMS Concierge ("we", "us", or "our") operates the website sms-concierge.com and the SMS Concierge service (the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use the Service. It is designed to comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the UK GDPR, and the California Consumer Privacy Act as amended by the CPRA (CCPA/CPRA).

1. Information we collect

Information you provide

• Phone number — required to send and receive SMS messages.
• Email address — used for account verification, billing, and service updates.
• Name and billing details — collected when you subscribe to a paid plan.
• SMS message content — the text of messages you send to and receive from the Service. We process this to fulfill your requests (directions, transit, weather).

Information collected automatically

• Approximate location derived from the place names or addresses in your SMS requests.
• Message metadata: timestamps, delivery status, carrier information.
• Website usage data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, cookies (essential and analytics).

2. How we use your information

• To provide the Service: process your SMS requests and return directions, bus routes, and weather information.
• To verify and approve your phone number for use with the Service.
• To bill you and manage your subscription.
• To improve, secure, and prevent abuse of the Service.
• To communicate with you about updates, security alerts, and (with consent) marketing.
• To comply with legal obligations.

3. Legal bases (GDPR / UK GDPR)

• Performance of a contract — to deliver the Service you requested.
• Legitimate interests — to secure the Service, prevent fraud, and improve features.
• Consent — for optional marketing communications and non-essential cookies.
• Legal obligation — to retain records required by law.

4. Third-party services

To deliver the Service, we share the minimum necessary information with the following processors:

• Google Maps Platform (Google LLC) — to generate walking directions and bus / transit information. We send the place names, addresses, or coordinates contained in your SMS request. Subject to Google's Privacy Policy.
• OpenWeatherMap (OpenWeather Ltd) — to retrieve current conditions and forecasts. We send the location specified in your SMS request.
• Anthropic AI (Anthropic, PBC) — to interpret natural-language SMS requests. The text of your message may be sent to Anthropic for processing. Anthropic does not use this data to train its models when accessed via its commercial API.
• SMS gateway providers — telecommunications partners that transmit messages between you and the Service.
• Payment processors — to handle subscription billing securely. We do not store full card numbers.
• Cloud hosting and analytics providers — to operate and monitor the Service.

5. SMS Communications

This section describes specifically how we handle SMS messaging.

How we collect phone numbers

We collect your mobile phone number only when you provide it directly through our signup form on sms-concierge.com or other official sign-up channels. You must explicitly opt in by ticking the SMS consent checkbox before we send you any SMS messages. We do not purchase, rent, or otherwise acquire phone numbers from third parties.

What messages we send

• Transactional messages: account verification, approval confirmations, billing notices, and security alerts.
• Service responses: the answers to walking-direction, transit, and weather requests you initiate.
• Service updates: occasional notices about changes to the Service.
• Promotional messages: only sent if you have separately opted in, and you may opt out at any time.

Message frequency

Message frequency varies based on your usage of the Service. Most users receive between 0 and 30 messages per week, but the volume depends entirely on how often you text us. Account-related notices are infrequent — typically fewer than 5 per month.

Message and data rates

Standard message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply to every message sent or received. SMS Concierge does not charge per-message carrier fees, but your carrier may. Check your mobile plan for details.

How to opt out (STOP)

You can stop receiving SMS messages from SMS Concierge at any time by replying STOP to any message we send you. We will send a single confirmation SMS acknowledging your opt-out and then no further messages will be sent to that number unless you opt in again. You can also reply HELP to receive instructions and our support contact details.

We do not share phone numbers with third parties

We do not sell, rent, lease, or share your phone number or SMS opt-in data with any third parties for their marketing or promotional purposes. The only entities that receive your phone number are the SMS gateway providers (e.g. Twilio) strictly necessary to deliver and receive your messages, and only for that purpose. Phone numbers and SMS opt-in consent information are never shared with affiliates or sold to data brokers.

6. International transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than the one in which you reside, including the United States. Where required by law, we rely on Standard Contractual Clauses, the UK International Data Transfer Addendum, or other valid transfer mechanisms.

7. Data retention

• SMS message content is retained for up to 90 days for support and abuse prevention, then deleted or anonymized.
• Account details are retained for the duration of your subscription plus up to 24 months for legal and tax requirements.
• Billing records are retained as required by applicable tax law (typically 7 years).

8. Your rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate information.
• Request deletion ("right to be forgotten" / "right to delete").
• Restrict or object to processing.
• Data portability.
• Withdraw consent at any time.
• Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (e.g. your local Data Protection Authority).

California residents (CCPA/CPRA)

You have the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete, the right to correct, the right to opt out of "sale" or "sharing" of personal information, and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising your rights. We do not sell your personal information.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@sms-concierge.com.

9. Security

We use industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards including TLS encryption in transit, encryption at rest for stored messages, access controls, and routine security reviews. No system is perfectly secure; we will notify affected users of any breach as required by law.

10. Children

The Service is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us so we can delete it.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via SMS or email. The "Last updated" date at the top reflects the latest version.

12. Contact us

SMS Concierge
Email: privacy@sms-concierge.com
Website: sms-concierge.com