Privacy Policy

How we handle phone numbers, SMS data, and your information

Last updated: October 4, 2026

In Simple Terms

South Louisiana Automation texts people who contact us directly, only about their own request. We also provide automation services for local businesses, including SMS features such as missed-call replies, status updates, and reminders. We only collect the phone numbers and information needed to deliver those messages and respond to requests. We do not sell or share these numbers. You can opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP.

Text messages from South Louisiana Automation

South Louisiana Automation (operated by Christopher Boudreaux, Thibodaux, Louisiana) sends customer care text messages to people who contact us directly.

How people opt in

There are two ways:

  1. Website: checking the optional, unchecked-by-default SMS consent box on the contact form (https://southlaautomation.com) or the Busywork Checkup form (https://southlaautomation.com/checkup).
  2. Calling our business number, (985) 441-8972: if we miss the call, we send one reply text about that call.

What we send

Messages about the person's own inquiry: missed-call replies, scheduling a call, and following up on their request. No marketing or promotional messages.

Frequency, rates, and opting out

  • Message frequency varies.
  • Message and data rates may apply.
  • Reply STOP to opt out. Reply HELP for help.
  • Consent to receive texts is not a condition of any purchase.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties.

Contact

South Louisiana Automation

Thibodaux, Louisiana

Phone: (985) 441-8972

Email: chris@southlaautomation.com

Who This Policy Applies To

This Privacy Policy applies to three groups:

  • Business clients who hire South Louisiana Automation ("SLA," "we," "us") to provide automation services, including SMS features such as missed-call replies, status updates, and reminders.
  • End users (callers and customers) who contact a business that uses our services and receive an SMS message from that business through our system, such as an automated reply when a call is not answered.
  • Website visitors who fill out a form on southlaautomation.com, such as the Busywork Checkup or the quick message form.

Information from Our Website Forms

When you fill out a form on our website, such as the Busywork Checkup or the quick message form, we collect what you choose to give us:

  • Your name and business name
  • Your phone number and, if you provide it, your email address
  • Your answers to the Busywork Checkup questions, and anything you type into a message box
  • Whether you checked the optional box agreeing to receive text messages about your request

We use this information only to respond to your request and prepare a plan for your business. It is never sold or shared with anyone for marketing purposes.

SMS services we operate for client businesses

This section covers text messages sent on behalf of businesses that hire South Louisiana Automation. These messages come from the client business's number, not from South Louisiana Automation's own program described above.

Information We Collect

From Callers (End Users)

When a person calls a business that uses our missed-call reply feature and the call is unanswered, we collect:

  • The caller's phone number (provided automatically by the carrier when the call is placed)
  • The date and time of the call
  • The general location associated with the caller's phone number (city/state, if provided by the carrier)
  • The content of any SMS replies the caller chooses to send back

We do not record voice calls, collect voicemail content, or access any other data from the caller's device.

From Business Clients

  • Business name, address, owner contact information, and business phone number
  • Email address used for service notifications and billing
  • Owner's mobile number, used to forward missed-call alerts and replies
  • Payment information processed by our payment provider (we do not store full card numbers)

Technical and Operational Data

  • SMS delivery status, timestamps, and message identifiers
  • Service uptime metrics and error logs
  • Aggregated, anonymized usage statistics

How End Users Consent to Receive Messages

The missed-call reply feature does not use web forms, opt-in keywords, or external sign-up pages. The opt-in mechanism is the customer's voluntary phone call to a business that uses our service.

The Opt-In Flow

  1. A business client publishes their phone number on their website, Google Business Profile, signage, business cards, and marketing materials.
  2. A customer voluntarily dials that published phone number to request service.
  3. If the business does not answer (rings out, busy, or after hours), our system sends one automated SMS reply to the caller from the business's number.
  4. The caller may reply with their service request, ignore the message, or reply STOP to opt out at any time.

A Concrete Example

A driver finds Bayou Tire & Auto on Google, sees the phone number listed on the Google Business Profile, and calls it at 4:30pm. The owner is under a car and the call rings out. Our system sends one SMS reply to the driver:

"Hi, this is Bayou Tire & Auto. Sorry we missed your call! What can we help you with? Reply here and we'll get back to you soon. Reply STOP to opt out."

The driver can reply with what they need (so the shop can respond when free), ignore the message, or reply STOP to never receive an automated reply from Bayou Tire & Auto again.

Legal Basis

The caller's voluntary act of placing a call to a publicly published business phone number serves as prior express consent to receive a direct, related response, consistent with CTIA conversational-messaging guidelines. This is not a marketing channel: each SMS is a one-to-one operational response to a specific inbound call from that specific number. No marketing, promotional, or unsolicited messages are sent through this system.

Opt-Out

Callers can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message. The opt-out is honored automatically and immediately by the platform. No further automated messages will be sent from that business's number unless the caller texts START to resubscribe. Standard opt-out keywords (STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT) are all supported.

How We Use This Information

  • Send the missed-call reply: The caller's phone number is used only to deliver a single automated SMS reply on behalf of the business they called.
  • Notify the business: The business owner receives an alert about the missed call so they can follow up personally.
  • Conversational follow-up: If the caller replies to the SMS, those messages are routed to the business owner so a real person can respond.
  • Respond to website requests: Information from our website forms is used to contact you and prepare a plan, as described above.
  • Service operations: We use technical data to maintain reliability, troubleshoot issues, and improve the platform.
  • Billing and account management: Business client information is used to provide and bill for the service.
  • Legal compliance: We retain certain records as required by US carrier and FCC regulations governing business SMS.

Message Frequency and Rates

  • Callers typically receive one automated SMS per missed call placed to the business.
  • Message frequency varies based on how often the caller dials the business. Most callers receive 0–2 automated messages per month.
  • Message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply. SLA does not charge the caller anything to receive these messages.

Information Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or share phone numbers or SMS content with third parties for marketing purposes. Phone numbers collected from inbound calls are used solely to send the single automated reply described above.

We share data only in these limited circumstances:

  • The business you called: The business that uses our service receives the missed-call alert and any reply messages you send. This is the entire purpose of the service.
  • Infrastructure providers: Twilio (our SMS carrier), our hosting provider, and our payment processor handle the technical delivery of the service. These providers are contractually bound to protect your data.
  • Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or to protect rights and safety.
  • Business transfer: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of SLA, with notice to clients.

Data Security

We protect your information using industry-standard security measures:

  • Encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS) for all platform traffic
  • Secure cloud hosting with access controls and authentication
  • Regular backups and monitoring of service infrastructure
  • Minimum-necessary data collection: we collect only what the service requires

Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Opt out of SMS: Reply STOP to any message to stop receiving automated replies immediately.
  • Access: Request a copy of the data we hold about you.
  • Correct: Ask us to update inaccurate information.
  • Delete: Request deletion of your data, subject to legal and operational retention requirements.
  • Get help: Reply HELP to any message for assistance, or contact us using the information below.

To exercise these rights, contact us at chris@southlaautomation.com.

Data Retention

  • Caller phone numbers and SMS content: Retained for 90 days for operational and dispute-resolution purposes, then deleted unless legally required.
  • Opt-out records: Retained indefinitely so we can continue honoring opt-outs.
  • Business client records: Retained while service is active, plus 1 year after cancellation for billing and tax purposes.
  • Aggregated analytics: Anonymized usage data may be retained indefinitely.

Children's Privacy

Our service is designed for businesses and their adult customers. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will delete it.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our service or legal requirements. Significant changes will be communicated to business clients by email. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates the most recent revision.

Contact Information

South Louisiana Automation

Thibodaux, Louisiana

Email: chris@southlaautomation.com

Phone: (985) 441-8972

Free Checkup Call