SMS Privacy Policy

Effective April 28, 2026 (revised April 28, 2026)

Overview

AS-Checkin (operated by Automatic Duck) provides an aid station check-in system for ultramarathon races. As part of that service, we send SMS text message notifications to race staff, crew members, volunteers, and spectators who explicitly opt in. This policy describes how we collect, use, and protect your phone number and other information related to our SMS program.

Information We Collect

When you sign up to receive SMS notifications, we collect:

Your name
Your mobile phone number
The race you are subscribing to receive updates about
For spectator per-runner subscriptions: the bib number of the runner you have chosen to follow
Your opt-in consent and the date/time it was given

We do not collect any other personal information through the SMS program.

How We Use Your Information

Your phone number and name are used solely to send you SMS notifications about race events you have opted in to — for example, runner check-ins, check-outs, did-not-finish (DNF) updates, and finish events for runners you are following. We do not use your information for marketing, advertising, or any unrelated purpose.

Sharing of Information

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All categories of information described in this policy exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

We do not sell, rent, or share your phone number with any third party. The only third party that processes your phone number is our SMS delivery provider (Twilio), which we use solely to transmit the messages you have opted in to receive. Twilio is contractually bound to use this information only to deliver our messages.

How You Opt In

You opt in to receive SMS notifications by visiting the public live results page for a race (for example, https://as-checkin-live-stage.onrender.com/live/copperkings100-2026), entering your name and mobile phone number (and, for spectator per-runner subscriptions, the runner's bib number), and checking the box that states you agree to receive race-related text alerts. Opt-in is required before any messages are sent to you.

How You Opt Out

You can stop receiving messages at any time by replying STOP to any message from us. You will receive a single confirmation message and no further messages will be sent. For help, reply HELP or contact us at wes@automaticduck.com.

Message Frequency and Rates

Message frequency varies based on race activity. During an active race you may receive several messages per day; outside of race events you will typically receive none. Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier plan.

Data Retention

We retain your phone number only as long as you remain opted in. When you reply STOP, your number is flagged as opted-out and is no longer used to send messages. We retain a record of opt-in and opt-out events as required for compliance purposes.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The current version will always be available at this URL with the effective date shown above.

Contact

Questions about this policy or our SMS program? Email us at wes@automaticduck.com.