SMS and MMS terms and conditions

How the site uses SMS. The site uses SMS text messages for user identification purposes. These purposes include: allowing a user to sign up, identifying a returning user who wishes to sign in, preventing a user from making multiple accounts, and generally demonstrating that a user has control of a mobile phone number. When you opt in to the service, the site will send you one SMS text message per user action, such as pressing a button to receive a code, as performed by you.

Optional use. Use of SMS on the site is optional for the user. The information a new user sees when choosing how to sign up indicates that it is optional.

Alternatives to use. A user does not need to use SMS to use any of the services of the website. For example, instead of signing in with SMS, a user can choose to sign in with email. Or, instead of signing in with SMS every time, a user can add a password to their account, and then sign in with that password. Users can change their preferences related to how they sign in, and how that method uses SMS, during account creation and at any time after account creation, in account settings.

Use is upon user action. The site sends a user an SMS message when the user clicks a button to explicitly perform that action. For instance, a user may have chosen to receive a message, and then press a button labeled Send Code.

Keywords. The site sends SMS messages from one or several toll-free numbers. You can cancel SMS service from a toll-free number at any time by texting STOP in response to a message. When you text STOP to a toll-free number, your mobile carrier will reply with an SMS message that confirms that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you won't be able to receive any additional messages from that number. To again be able to use SMS from us, reply with UNSTOP.

For toll-free numbers like those we use, the keyword opt-out and opt-in responses are set at the carrier level, using STOP and UNSTOP. These are the only keywords that you can use, and we cannot modify them. Response messages when you reply with STOP and UNSTOP are also managed by the carrier.

If you have chosen to sign in with SMS codes, but then reply to a message with STOP, we will be unable to deliver codes. This may prevent you from being able to sign in using this method. If you wish to use this method again, text UNSTOP, and request another code. Alternatively, sign in using an alternative means previously configured, like a password. Or, recover your account through additional identifying means, such as email.

Protecting use. Our site identifies users by combining several pieces of sign-in information, like date of birth, phone number, email address, and password. A third party that knows a user's phone number will be prevented from using the site to cause the site to send a message to that phone number by not knowing additional corresponding sign-in information for that user.

Security. Our site stores all personal and user information, including date of birth and telephone number, securely. Website systems are secure with API keys. These keys are kept secure in serverless cloud secrets vaults. In maintaining and improving the site, these keys are only accessed by authorized staff members using secure devices. Additionally, in the unlikely event of a data breach, sensitive user data is encrypted, both in transit and at rest. The site employs strong encryption algorithms to protect sensitive user information.

Carriers. We are able to deliver messages to the following mobile phone carriers: Major carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, US Cellular, Alltel, Boost Mobile, Nextel, and Virgin Mobile. Minor carriers: Alaska Communications Systems (ACS), Appalachian Wireless (EKN), Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular One of East Central IL (ECIT), Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania, Cincinnati Bell Wireless, Cricket, Coral Wireless (Mobi PCS), COX, Cross, Element Mobile (Flat Wireless), Epic Touch (Elkhart Telephone), GCI, Golden State, Hawkeye (Chat Mobility), Hawkeye (NW Missouri), Illinois Valley Cellular, Inland Cellular, iWireless (Iowa Wireless), Keystone Wireless (Immix Wireless/PC Man), Mosaic (Consolidated or CTC Telecom), Nex-Tech Wireless, NTelos, Panhandle Communications, Pioneer, Plateau (Texas RSA 3 Ltd), Revol, RINA, Simmetry (TMP Corporation), Thumb Cellular, Union Wireless, United Wireless, Viaero Wireless, and West Central (WCC or 5 Star Wireless). Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Cost. Message and data rates may apply for any messages that we send to you or you send to us. You will receive one message per identification action. Contact your wireless provider for more information about your text plan or data plan. If you have questions about the services provided by our use of SMS, email us at support@efans.llc.

Privacy. If you have any questions regarding privacy, read our privacy notice at efans.llc/privacy.