In Simple Terms
We help local businesses automatically text back customers who call when no one can answer. We only collect the phone numbers needed to send that reply. We do not sell, share, or market to these numbers. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP.
Who This Policy Applies To
This Privacy Policy applies to two groups:
- Business clients who hire South Louisiana Automation ("SLA," "we," "us") to provide our missed-call text-back service.
- End users (callers) who phone a business that uses our service and receive an automated SMS reply when the call is not answered.
Information We Collect
From Callers (End Users)
When a person calls a business that uses our service 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
Our service 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
- A business client publishes their phone number on their website, Google Business Profile, signage, business cards, and marketing materials.
- A customer voluntarily dials that published phone number to request service.
- 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.
- The caller may reply with their service request, ignore the message, or reply STOP to opt out at any time.
A Concrete Example
A homeowner finds Bayou Plumbing on Google, sees the phone number listed on the Google Business Profile, and calls it at 7:00pm. The owner is finishing another job and the call rings out. Our system sends one SMS reply to the homeowner:
"Hi, this is Bayou Plumbing — sorry we missed your call! What can we help you with? Reply here and we'll get back to you within 15 minutes. Reply STOP to opt out."
The homeowner can reply with their issue (so the plumber can respond when free), ignore the message, or reply STOP to never receive an automated reply from Bayou Plumbing 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.
- 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 privacy@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: privacy@southlaautomation.com
Phone: (985) 228-6168