Text A Somm ("we," "us," or "our") operates the textasomm.myrtle.cloud website and SMS-based sommelier recommendation service (the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our Service.
By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our Service.
1. Information We Collect
Information You Provide Directly
- Phone number: When you text our Service, we receive your mobile phone number.
- SMS message content: The text messages you send to us, including details about your dining occasion, food choices, wine preferences, and budget.
- Photos: Images you send via MMS, such as photos of wine lists.
- Email address: If you join our waitlist or contact us via email.
Information Collected Automatically
- SMS metadata: Timestamps of messages sent and received, message delivery status.
- Website usage data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, and referring URLs when you visit our website.
- Device information: General device type and operating system when interacting with our website.
Information from Third Parties
- Twilio: Our SMS provider transmits your phone number and message content to us. Twilio may also provide delivery status and carrier information.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide personalized wine recommendations via SMS
- Match your request with an available certified sommelier
- Maintain conversation history so our sommeliers can provide contextual advice
- Improve and optimize our Service
- Communicate with you about updates, promotions, or service changes (with your consent)
- Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents
- Comply with legal obligations
3. SMS Messaging & Consent
By texting our Service number, you consent to receiving SMS messages from Text A Somm in response to your requests. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies based on your interaction with our sommeliers.
Opt-In
Your consent to receive SMS messages is obtained when you voluntarily send an initial text message to our Twilio phone number. This constitutes your express consent under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and CTIA guidelines.
Opt-Out
You may opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by texting STOP to our Service number. Upon receiving your STOP request, we will send a single confirmation message and cease all future SMS communications. You may also opt out by contacting us at the email address below.
HELP
Text HELP to our Service number for assistance, or contact us at privacy@winegurus.com.
Supported Carriers
Our Service is available on all major U.S. carriers. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
No Sharing for Marketing
We do not sell, rent, or share your phone number or SMS opt-in consent with third parties for their marketing purposes. Your information will not be shared with third parties for promotional use.
4. Data Sharing & Third-Party Services
We share your information only in the following circumstances:
- Twilio (SMS infrastructure): Your phone number and message content are transmitted through Twilio to deliver SMS messages. Twilio's privacy policy is available at twilio.com/legal/privacy.
- Cloudinary (image processing): If you send photos of wine lists, images may be processed through Cloudinary for optimization. Cloudinary's privacy policy is available at cloudinary.com/privacy.
- Our sommeliers: Certified sommelier experts who respond to your requests see your messages and preferences (but not your full phone number) to provide recommendations.
- Legal requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, subpoena, or legal process.
- Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to provide our Service and fulfill the purposes described in this policy:
- Conversation data: SMS conversations and recommendations are retained for up to 12 months to enable follow-up interactions and service improvement.
- Phone numbers: Retained while your account is active. If you opt out via STOP, your phone number is marked as opted-out and message history is deleted within 30 days.
- Waitlist emails: Retained until you unsubscribe or the waitlist period ends.
- Website logs: Automatically deleted after 90 days.
6. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:
- Encrypted data transmission (TLS/SSL)
- Secure session management with HTTP-only cookies
- Rate limiting to prevent abuse
- Input validation and sanitization
- Access controls limiting sommelier access to relevant conversation data
- Regular security reviews
No method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Your Rights
All Users
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information by emailing privacy@winegurus.com or texting STOP.
- Opt-out of SMS: Text STOP to our Service number at any time.
California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to:
- Know what personal information we collect and how it is used
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data)
- Non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights
To exercise your California privacy rights, contact us at privacy@winegurus.com.
European Residents (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area, you have additional rights including data portability, restriction of processing, and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. Contact us at privacy@winegurus.com to exercise these rights.
8. Children's Privacy
Our Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 21 (the legal drinking age in the United States). We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 21. If we learn that we have collected data from someone under 21, we will delete it promptly.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, contact us at:
- Email: privacy@winegurus.com
- Website: textasomm.myrtle.cloud