Acceptable Use Policy

Last updated: March 19, 2026

1. Purpose

This Acceptable Use Policy governs the use of ShepherdOS messaging features, including SMS, MMS, email, and push notifications. ShepherdOS is designed for legitimate church and organizational communication. All users must comply with applicable laws and this policy.

2. Permitted Uses

ShepherdOS messaging features may be used for:

• Church announcements and event notifications
• Volunteer scheduling and reminders
• Prayer request routing and pastoral care communications
• Giving receipts and financial statements
• Visitor welcome and follow-up messages
• Small group and ministry team coordination
• Children's check-in notifications to parents
• Emergency alerts (weather cancellations, safety notifications)
• Milestone celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries)
• Drip campaigns for new visitors and members (with opt-in consent)

3. Prohibited Uses

You may NOT use ShepherdOS messaging for:

• Sending unsolicited commercial messages (spam)
• Sending messages to people who have not opted in to receive them
• Political campaigning, partisan messaging, or election-related communications
• Harassment, threats, or abusive communications of any kind
• Sharing another person's personal information without their consent
• Sending messages that violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
• Sending messages that violate the CAN-SPAM Act
• Attempting to circumvent opt-out requests
• Any illegal activity

4. Consent and Opt-In

All message recipients must have provided consent to receive messages. Consent is established when:

• A person texts a keyword to the church's ShepherdOS number (explicit opt-in)
• A person completes a digital or physical connection card providing their phone number
• A person registers for an event and provides their phone number
• An authorized church staff member adds a person with their knowledge and consent

5. Opt-Out

All message recipients may opt out at any time by texting STOP to the church's ShepherdOS number. Opt-out requests are processed immediately and automatically. Churches may not re-add opted-out individuals without obtaining new explicit consent.

6. Message Content

All messages sent through ShepherdOS must be truthful, non-deceptive, and clearly identify the sending church or organization. Messages should be relevant to the recipient's relationship with the church.

7. Message Volume

Churches should send messages at reasonable frequencies. Excessive messaging that could be perceived as spam is prohibited. General guidelines:

• Church-wide broadcasts: no more than 2-3 per week
• Automated follow-ups: spaced appropriately (not daily)
• Event reminders: 1-2 per event
• Emergency alerts: as needed, no limit

8. Children's Communications

Messages regarding children (check-in, pickup alerts, safety notifications) are sent only to the child's registered parent or guardian. Children's contact information is never used for marketing or broadcast messaging.

9. Enforcement

Violation of this Acceptable Use Policy may result in:

• Warning and request to modify behavior
• Temporary suspension of messaging features
• Permanent termination of the account

We reserve the right to monitor messaging patterns (not content) to detect potential abuse.

10. Reporting Abuse

If you believe you are receiving unwanted messages from a ShepherdOS-powered number, text STOP to that number to immediately unsubscribe. You may also report abuse to: abuse@shepherdos.com

11. Contact

For questions about this policy, contact us at: Collins Worldwide Co, Baltimore, Maryland. Email: support@shepherdos.com