Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how McDowell Updates (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use our website and messaging services that provide shuttle ETA notifications by SMS (and, in the future, WhatsApp). It also describes your choices, including required opt‑out keywords and data rights.

Last updated: 2025-09-19

Information We Collect

  • Contact details: mobile phone number.
  • Preferences: selected shuttle provider, stop, and schedule windows (e.g., Mon AM).
  • Communications data: message content you send to us (e.g., STOP/HELP), delivery status, timestamps, and limited technical metadata from our messaging providers.
  • Website data: basic server logs (IP, user‑agent, referrer, pages viewed) and assets loaded from CDNs.

We do not require an account or password to use the service. We do not sell your personal information.

How We Use Information

  • Provide and personalize shuttle ETA notifications based on your selections.
  • Operate and improve our website and messaging flows.
  • Send essential service messages (e.g., consent confirmations, opt‑out confirmations, and support replies).
  • Maintain security, prevent abuse, and comply with legal obligations.

Messaging Program Disclosures (SMS/WhatsApp)

  • Consent: By checking the box during signup and submitting your number, you consent to receive automated text messages from McDowell Updates at the number you provide. Consent is not a condition of purchase.
  • Frequency and rates: Message frequency varies with route changes and your settings. Message and data rates may apply.
  • Carrier liability: Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
  • Opt‑out keywords: You can stop at any time by replying with any of the following single‑word commands: STOP, STOPALL, CANCEL, END, OPTOUT, REVOKE, or QUIT. We will send one final message to confirm your opt‑out and will no longer send messages unless you re‑opt‑in.
  • Re‑opt‑in keywords: To resume, reply START, YES, UPDATE, or UNSTOP.
  • Help keywords: Reply HELP or INFO for assistance and we’ll respond with a message containing support information.

These keyword options align with common carrier and messaging‑provider rules so that you have clear, simple controls over your privacy and preferences.

A2P 10DLC Message Flow / Call to Action (CTA)

Twilio and carrier policies require that we clearly describe how users provide consent and what to expect. Our current opt‑in method and required disclosures are:

  • Opt‑in method (web form): Users visit https://www.mcdowellupdates.com/#get-updates, identify the brand (McDowell Updates), review linked Terms (https://www.mcdowellupdates.com/terms) and Privacy (https://www.mcdowellupdates.com/privacy), check an explicit consent box, and submit their number along with provider/stop/schedule preferences.
  • Program type: Recurring informational alerts about shuttle ETAs. Frequency varies based on user settings and route changes.
  • Required disclosures shown at collection: brand identification; “Msg & data rates may apply”; “Msg frequency varies”; links to Terms and Privacy; and opt‑out instructions (reply STOP to opt out; HELP for help). Carrier liability disclaimer is also displayed.
  • Message samples:
    • Initial confirmation: “Shuttle Updates: You have successfully been subscribed to updates. Reply [SUBSCRIBE|UNSUBSCRIBE] [STOP NAME] [MON|TUE|WED|THU|FRI] [AM|PM] to add|remove a stop update (optionally include a day and AM or PM to narrow the request). Reply HELP for help. STOP to unsubscribe from all updates. Msg&Data Rates May Apply.”
    • HELP response: “Shuttle ETA updates. Reply [SUBSCRIBE|UNSUBSCRIBE] [STOP NAME] [MON|TUE|WED|THU|FRI] [AM|PM] to add|remove a stop update (optionally include a day and AM or PM to narrow the request). Reply STOP to unsubscribe from all updates. Msg&Data Rates May Apply.”
    • STOP confirmation: “Shuttle Updates: You have successfully been unsubscribed from all updates. You will not receive any more messages from this number. Reply START to resubscribe.”
    • START confirmation: “Shuttle Updates: You have successfully been re-subscribed to messages. Reply [SUBSCRIBE|UNSUBSCRIBE] [STOP NAME] [MON|TUE|WED|THU|FRI] [AM|PM] to add|remove a stop update (optionally include a day and AM or PM to narrow the request). Reply HELP for help. STOP to unsubscribe from all updates. Msg&Data Rates May Apply.”
  • Alternate opt‑in methods: Besides start confirmation, we use only the web form at this website.

Legal Bases (EEA/UK where applicable)

  • Consent for sending automated messages and storing your preferences.
  • Legitimate interests to operate and secure our service, measure deliverability, and handle support.
  • Compliance with legal obligations (e.g., honoring opt‑outs).

Sharing and Service Providers

We use trusted vendors to provide infrastructure:

  • Form handling: Formspree processes form submissions you send via our site.
  • Messaging delivery: We use messaging infrastructure providers (e.g., SMS aggregators and cloud communications platforms) to send and receive texts and to process keyword commands.
  • Content delivery: We load certain frontend libraries from unpkg.com (Popper.js and Tippy.js), which may receive basic request metadata from your browser when assets are fetched.

Vendors act as processors on our behalf and may process limited personal data to provide their services. We do not permit them to use your information for their own marketing.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our site does not use analytics cookies at this time. Standard server and CDN logs may be collected for performance and security. If we introduce analytics or additional cookies, we will update this policy and, where required, request consent.

Do Not Track: We do not currently respond to browser DNT signals.

Data Retention

We retain your phone number, preferences, and relevant message metadata for as long as you use the service and for a reasonable period thereafter to comply with law, maintain suppression lists (to ensure we do not message opted‑out numbers), and resolve disputes. We delete or de‑identify data when it is no longer needed.

Your Choices and Rights

  • Opt‑out of messages: Reply STOP (or STOPALL, CANCEL, END, QUIT, REVOKE, OPTOUT) to any message to stop. Reply START/YES/UNSTOP/UPDATE to re‑opt‑in.
  • Update preferences: Submit a new registration or contact us to change your provider/stop/schedule.
  • Access, correction, deletion: You may request access to, or deletion of, your personal information, or ask us to correct it.
  • Portability and restriction: Where applicable, you may request a copy of your data or ask us to restrict processing.

To exercise rights, contact us using the methods below. We may need to verify your number or identity to fulfill requests.

Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure.

Children’s Privacy

Our service is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 where applicable). If you believe a child has provided us a phone number without appropriate consent, contact us and we will remove it.

International Transfers

We may process and store information in the United States and other countries where our providers operate. When transferring personal data internationally, we rely on appropriate safeguards where required by law.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date shows when changes were made. Material changes will be posted on this page and, where required, we will notify you.

Contact Us

Questions or requests about privacy can be sent to:

If you believe we have not resolved your concern, you may have the right to contact your local data protection authority.

© McDowell Updates