If you’re planning on texting your customers, chances are you’ve been told you need an SMS privacy policy.
But what is an SMS privacy policy, and why do you need one?
With an SMS privacy policy, you can be transparent with customers about how you plan to use their personal info for your text communications. When they’re aware of how you plan to use their data, they’ll be more likely to trust you and opt in to texts from you. Equally important, you’ll stay compliant.
In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about an SMS privacy policy. We’ll also share an SMS privacy policy template you can use.
What is an SMS privacy policy?
An SMS privacy policy is a document that outlines how a business collects, uses, stores, and protects personal information obtained for business SMS and MMS communications.
Your SMS privacy policy should live on your website and be easily accessible to your customers when you collect consent from them. Include a link to the policy with any SMS opt-in text you use so customers understand how you plan to use their data before deciding to opt in.
Having an SMS privacy policy is a best practice for businesses that offer customers the ability to text them. Recent regulations required by all major US carriers have made it mandatory for businesses to have an SMS privacy policy if they wish to text customers based in the US.
If you already have a privacy policy, you don’t need a different document to cover SMS communications. You can add information related to your SMS privacy policies in your overall privacy policy so that you’re compliant.
SMS privacy policy template
Here is sample language you can add to your privacy policy so you’re compliant with 10DLC regulations:
[COMPANY NAME] may disclose Personal Data and other information as follows:
Third Parties that Help Provide the Messaging Service: We will not share your opt-in to an SMS short code campaign with a third party for purposes unrelated to supporting you in connection with that campaign. We may share your Personal Data with third parties that help us provide the messaging service, including, but not limited to, platform providers, phone companies, and other vendors who assist us in the delivery of text messages.
Additional Disclosures: Affiliates: We may disclose the Personal Data to our affiliates or subsidiaries; however, if we do so, their use and disclosure of your Personal Data will be subject to this Policy. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
In this template, we’ve focused on how you plan to share customer data with third parties as it pertains to texting with a VoIP platform. You can add to it by listing the data you intend to collect and your data collection methods.
What does an SMS privacy policy contain?
An SMS privacy policy contains the following details:
- Type of data collected: What information you plan to collect for your text communications (name, phone number, etc.)
- Data collection methods: How you plan to collect customer data (verbal, written, online forms, etc.)
- Data sharing policies: Who you plan to share customer data with, including any third parties and affiliates
- User rights: How users can opt out of text communications from you
SMS privacy policy examples
Here are a couple of real-world examples of SMS privacy policies used by small businesses.
Green Paper Products
Green Paper Products is a small Ohio-based business that makes disposable tableware and paper products. Here’s their privacy policy:
The Stone Dry Company
The Stone Dry Company is an Indiana-based non-profit that provides communities with tools and resources to practice sobriety. Here’s their SMS privacy policy:
Make your SMS communications compliant with OpenPhone
An SMS privacy policy is necessary to follow SMS compliance laws, but it’s only one piece of the compliance puzzle. Other compliance considerations include your consent collection methods and your opt-in and opt-out language.
OpenPhone makes it easy for small businesses to become compliant with SMS compliance regulations. Our 10DLC registration process guides you through registering your number and navigating through all your compliance needs.
Want to learn more about how you can become and stay compliant with US texting regulations? Check out our detailed SMS compliance guide.
