Privacy Policy
Last Updated: August 2026
Data We Collect
We collect the information needed to provide the Backcountry Signal service:
- Account information — your name, email address, and a password (stored only as a secure hash, never as the password itself).
- Your phone number, so we can hold a two-way SMS conversation with you, and its verification and opt-in status.
- Message content — the questions you text us and the answers we send back. Content is processed to generate a relevant answer, and messages are retained in our service records so we can deliver answers reliably, keep short-term conversation context, and help you with support questions.
- Delivery and usage records — message timestamps, direction, delivery status, and your remaining request balance.
- Purchase records — if you buy a pass, payment is handled by Stripe, our payment processor. We receive confirmation of the purchase; we never see or store your card number, and your message content is never shared with Stripe.
How We Use Your Data
We use your data strictly to:
- Provide the Backcountry Signal service and practical guidance.
- Maintain the continuity of your active SMS conversation (short-term conversation context expires automatically after a couple of hours of inactivity).
- Operate your account: verification, request balances, passes, and occasional account notices.
- Improve system reliability, diagnose delivery problems, and prevent abuse of the service.
Service Providers
A small number of providers process data on our behalf, only as needed to run the service:
- AI providers (Anthropic, and OpenAI as a fallback) receive the content of your question — and limited recent conversation context — solely to generate your answer.
- SMS delivery providers carry the text messages between your phone and our number, as any messaging service requires.
- Hosting and database providers run the application and store the records described above.
- Stripe processes payments. It receives what a payment needs (such as your email and the amount) — never your message content.
Data Retention and Deletion
Messages you send and the answers we return are kept in our service records for operations and support. Short-term conversation context used to understand follow-up questions expires automatically. Limited technical logging, delivery-provider handling, security records, and legally required records may also occur. You may request deletion of your account, phone number, and associated data — or access to the data we hold about you — at any time by emailing privacy@backcountrysignal.com.
Information Sharing and SMS Consent
We respect your privacy. We do not sell your personal data. Mobile numbers and SMS opt-in information are not sold or shared for third-party marketing or promotional purposes. SMS will be used for two-way conversational guidance and occasional service or account notices. See our SMS Terms.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, or wish to make a privacy, data access, or data deletion request, please contact us at privacy@backcountrysignal.com. For all other questions, email support@backcountrysignal.com.
Business Entity
Backcountry Signal is operated by Backcountry Signal LLC, a New Mexico limited liability company.