🌞 Ritual Collaboration

SMS Notification Opt-In Policy

This page explains how SMS notifications work in Ritual Collaboration and how users provide consent to receive text messages.

How SMS Opt-In Works

Two-Step Opt-In Process: To receive SMS notifications, users must complete both steps below. This double opt-in ensures explicit consent.

1. User Registration: When users are invited to the platform, they create an account and log in.
2. Profile Configuration: Users navigate to their Profile page (/profile) after logging in.
3. Voluntary Phone Number Entry: Users voluntarily enter their phone number in the "Phone (for SMS notifications)" field in standard US format (e.g., (831) 555-1234). The system automatically converts this to international format for SMS delivery.
4. Notification Method Selection: Users explicitly choose their notification preference from three options:
   • Email Only (default)
   • SMS Only
   • Both Email & SMS
5. Explicit Consent: By entering their phone number and selecting "SMS Only" or "Both Email & SMS", users explicitly consent to receive text message notifications about activity in their ritual collaboration projects.
6. Save Profile: Users must click "Save Profile" to confirm their choices. This action is logged with timestamp, IP address, and phone number for compliance purposes.
7. Send START to Confirm: After saving their profile, users must send START from their mobile device to the notification number to activate SMS notifications. Until this confirmation is received, no SMS messages will be sent. This second step ensures that the phone number belongs to the user and that they explicitly consent to receive messages.

What the Opt-In Form Looks Like

The opt-in form appears on the participant's Profile page after login. Below is an illustration of the relevant fields:

Note: selecting "Email Only" or leaving the phone field blank results in no SMS being sent regardless of other settings.

Important: SMS notifications will NOT begin until you send START from your mobile device. This is required for compliance with SMS regulations and ensures your phone number is verified.

What Messages Users Receive

Users who opt in to SMS notifications receive text messages when there is activity in their projects, including:

• New messages in project discussions
• New files or links added to projects
• New events scheduled
• New members joining projects (if enabled)

Users can customize which types of activities trigger notifications and how frequently they receive them (immediate, hourly, daily, etc.).

Message Frequency

Message frequency varies based on:

• User's chosen notification frequency (every 5 minutes to daily)
• Activity level in user's projects
• Which notification types user has enabled

Typical usage: 2-5 messages per day for active users.

Opt-Out & Support

Users can stop receiving SMS notifications at any time through multiple methods:

1. Reply STOP: Reply STOP to any SMS message to immediately unsubscribe. This is handled automatically by our SMS provider (Twilio) and takes effect within seconds.
2. Change notification method: Log in, go to Profile, change "Notification Method" to "Email Only", and save.
3. Remove phone number: Log in, go to Profile, delete the phone number from the Phone field, and save.

Need help? Reply HELP to any SMS message for support information, or contact your project administrator through the platform.

Data Collection & Logging

For compliance and security purposes, we log the following information when users add or update their phone number:

• Date and time of opt-in
• User ID, name, and email address
• Phone number provided
• IP address of the request
• Action taken (added, updated, or removed)
• START/STOP confirmation timestamps (via Twilio)

This data is stored securely and used only for compliance verification and platform security. See our Privacy Policy for complete details on how we protect your information.

Message Charges

Message and data rates may apply. Users are responsible for any charges from their mobile carrier for receiving text messages. Ritual Collaboration does not charge users for SMS notifications.

SMS Provider & Compliance

SMS messages are delivered via Twilio, a trusted communications platform. Our SMS implementation complies with A2P 10DLC (Application-to-Person 10 Digit Long Code) regulations, including:

• Explicit double opt-in (web form + START confirmation)
• Clear opt-out mechanisms (STOP keyword)
• Opt-in logging and audit trails
• No marketing or promotional content
• Notifications limited to platform activity only

Support

For questions about SMS notifications or to request assistance with opt-out, users can:

• Reply HELP to any SMS message
• Contact their project administrator through the platform
• Update their preferences at any time through their Profile page
• Email info@communityseed.org with "SMS Support" in the subject line

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Last Updated: February 26, 2026
SMS Provider: Twilio
Platform: Ritual Collaboration
Compliance: A2P 10DLC