Last updated July 15, 2026
TownCrierText is a software platform that lets political campaigns send peer-to-peer (P2P) text messages through volunteers, using campaign-owned virtual phone numbers. This policy explains what information we collect, how it is used, and how it is protected. TownCrierText is a product of Americana Works, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company.
We collect two broad categories of information:
Account information. When a campaign organization signs up, we collect the organization's name, contact details, and the name and email address of each user (admin, campaign manager, or volunteer) who is given access.
Contact data uploaded by campaigns. Campaigns using the platform upload their own contact lists, which may include names, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, voter ID numbers, and similar fields. This data belongs to the campaign that uploaded it, not to us. Sensitive fields (phone number, address, voter ID, email) are encrypted at rest using AES-256-GCM encryption, and phone numbers are additionally stored as a one-way cryptographic hash to allow duplicate detection without exposing the underlying number in that index.
Every text message sent through the platform requires a real, physical tap by a human volunteer. Nothing is sent automatically or in bulk. Message content, send time, and delivery status are logged for compliance and audit purposes.
Message recipients can reply STOP at any time to opt out of future messages. Opt-out requests are detected automatically, and the contact is excluded from future sends by that campaign unless and until they affirmatively opt back in by replying START (or a similar recognized keyword) to the same number.
To deliver text messages, contact phone numbers are shared with the SMS provider the campaign has connected to their own account (for example Telnyx, Twilio, or Bandwidth). We do not sell contact data or account information to third parties, and we do not share one campaign's data with another campaign using the platform.
We may disclose information if required to do so by law, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of TownCrierText, our users, or others.
Contact data, message logs, and reply logs are retained for as long as the campaign organization's account remains active, or as needed to comply with applicable record-keeping obligations. A campaign administrator may request deletion of their organization's data by contacting us using the information below.
Sensitive contact fields are encrypted at rest using AES-256-GCM encryption. Access to the platform requires authentication, and user permissions are scoped by role (admin, campaign manager, or volunteer) so that each person can only see the data relevant to their assignment.
This platform is intended for use by political campaigns, their staff, and volunteers. It is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 13 years of age.
We may update this policy from time to time. The "last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent change.
Questions about this policy can be sent to dan.smith@towncriertext.com.