Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 15, 2025

TextWow ("we," "us," or "our") operates the TextWow mobile application (the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Service.

By using TextWow, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Service.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

When you register for and use our Service, we may collect the following personal information:

• Account Information: Email address, username, and password
• Payment Information: Billing details processed securely through our payment processor (we do not store full credit card numbers)
• Contact Information: Name and contact details if you reach out to customer support

1.2 Usage Data

We automatically collect certain information when you use our Service:

• Virtual Phone Numbers: The virtual phone numbers you activate and use
• SMS Data: Content of SMS messages sent and received through our Service (stored temporarily for delivery)
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers
• App Usage Data: Features used, time spent in the app, interaction patterns
• Log Data: IP address, access times, app crashes, and performance data

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from telecommunications carriers and payment processors necessary to provide our Service.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To provide, maintain, and improve virtual phone number services and SMS messaging
• Account Management: To create and manage your account, process payments, and provide customer support
• Communication: To send you service-related notifications, updates, and security alerts
• Analytics: To analyze usage patterns and improve app functionality and user experience
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address fraud, security issues, and technical problems
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from authorities

3. SMS Message Data

Important: TextWow temporarily stores SMS messages for delivery purposes only. We:

• Store messages only as long as necessary for delivery and display in your app
• Automatically delete messages after 30 days unless you choose to keep them longer
• Do not read, analyze, or use message content for advertising or marketing purposes
• Encrypt messages in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols
• Do not sell or share message content with third parties

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our Service:

• Telecommunications carriers: To provision virtual phone numbers and route SMS messages
• Payment processors: To process subscription payments securely
• Cloud hosting providers: To store and process data securely
• Analytics services: To understand app usage and improve our Service (anonymized data only)

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., subpoenas, court orders, or government agencies).

4.3 Business Transfers

If TextWow is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your information:

• End-to-end encryption for SMS message transmission
• Secure data storage with encryption at rest
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls limiting employee access to personal data
• Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant providers

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our Service and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for up to 90 days after account deletion
• SMS Messages: Automatically deleted after 30 days unless you choose to keep them longer
• Payment Records: Retained for 7 years for tax and accounting purposes
• Usage Logs: Retained for 90 days for security and troubleshooting purposes

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

7.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you in a structured, machine-readable format.

7.2 Correction

You can update your account information directly in the app settings. For other corrections, contact us at support@textwow.online.

7.3 Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and personal data at any time. To delete your account:

1. Open the TextWow app
2. Go to Settings → Account → Delete Account
3. Or email us at support@textwow.online

Upon deletion, we will remove your personal information within 30 days, except for data we are required to retain for legal or accounting purposes.

7.4 Objection and Restriction

You may object to certain processing of your data or request that we restrict processing in certain circumstances.

7.5 Withdrawal of Consent

Where we rely on your consent to process your data, you may withdraw that consent at any time by contacting us.

8. Children's Privacy

TextWow is not intended for use by children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at support@textwow.online, and we will delete such information.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws different from those in your jurisdiction.

When we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by regulatory authorities
• Adequacy decisions recognizing equivalent data protection standards
• Your explicit consent where required by law

10. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with third-party services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to Know: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: We do not sell personal information, so no opt-out is necessary
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@textwow.online or call our toll-free number (if applicable).

12. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Our legal basis for processing your data includes:

• Contract: Processing necessary to provide our Service
• Legitimate interests: Improving our Service, preventing fraud, ensuring security
• Consent: Where you have provided explicit consent
• Legal obligation: Compliance with applicable laws

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the new Privacy Policy in the app and on our website
• Sending an email notification to your registered email address
• Displaying a prominent notice in the app

Changes become effective immediately upon posting. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

14. Do Not Track Signals

Our Service does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals from web browsers or mobile operating systems.

15. Automated Decision-Making

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal effects or similarly significantly affects you.

This Privacy Policy was last updated on January 15, 2025. Thank you for trusting TextWow with your communication needs.