SMS Privacy Policy (English)

Effective Date: 9/3/2026

Rev: 2.6

1. Overview

DePaul respects your privacy and is committed to protecting personal information collected through text messaging communications, including SMS messages and approved messaging platforms such as Microsoft Teams.

This SMS Privacy Policy explains how DePaul collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects information when you communicate with DePaul using text messaging services.

This SMS Privacy Policy supplements, and does not replace, DePaul’s Notice of Privacy Practices or any other privacy rights or protections that may apply under DePaul policy or applicable law. Additional information regarding participation requirements, consent, message frequency, message and data rates, opt-out rights, and acceptable use of DePaul’s text messaging services is available in DePaul’s Text Messaging Terms and Conditions.

For additional information regarding DePaul’s privacy practices and HIPAA rights, please visit: DePaul Privacy Practices

2. Information We Collect

When communicating with DePaul using text messaging services, DePaul may collect:

Mobile phone numbers
Message content
Dates and times of messages
Delivery status information
Sender and recipient information
Other information voluntarily provided through text communication

DePaul may also maintain records of text messaging communications as required by law, regulation, or organizational policy.

3. How Information Is Used

Information collected through text messaging may be used to:

Communicate regarding services, appointments, programs, housing, or support
Coordinate services and operations
Maintain records as required by law and organizational policy
Meet regulatory, compliance, quality, audit, and safety requirements
Improve the effectiveness and administration of DePaul services

Authorized DePaul personnel may review text messaging communications as part of their job responsibilities and in accordance with applicable law and DePaul policies.

4. Sharing of Information

DePaul does not sell, rent, share, or otherwise disclose mobile phone numbers, mobile opt-in information, or text messaging consent information to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

Mobile opt-in information and text messaging consent information will not be shared with third parties for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

Text messaging information may be shared with:

Telecommunications carriers
Messaging service providers
Technology vendors
Contractors or service providers supporting DePaul operations
Governmental or regulatory authorities when required by law

Such disclosures will be limited to what is reasonably necessary to deliver text messaging services, support operations, or comply with legal obligations.

5. Consent to Text Messaging

By providing a mobile phone number and consenting to text messaging communications, individuals agree to receive service-related text messages from DePaul.

Consent may be documented through a signed paper form, electronic form, or other electronic acknowledgment process approved by DePaul.

Message frequency may vary based on an individual’s interactions with DePaul.

6. Message and Data Rates

Standard message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile phone plan and wireless carrier. DePaul does not charge a fee for text messaging services.

7. Opting Out

You may opt out of text messaging communications at any time by:

Replying STOP to a text message, where supported
Contacting DePaul staff
Using any other opt-out method provided by DePaul

Where supported by the messaging service, you may also opt out using instructions such as:

STOP
END
CANCEL
UNSUBSCRIBE
QUIT

After an opt-out request is received, DePaul will discontinue text messaging communications as soon as reasonably practicable. A confirmation message may be sent when supported by the messaging platform.

8. Assistance

For assistance, reply HELP where supported or contact the appropriate DePaul program representative.

9. Security

DePaul uses reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information communicated through text messaging. However, no electronic communication method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Information may be subject to risks associated with mobile devices, wireless carriers, messaging technologies, and internet services.

Different messaging technologies may apply different security controls.

10. Health and Sensitive Information

Text messaging is not a substitute for secure clinical or medical record systems.

For your protection, avoid sending detailed medical, treatment, mental health, substance-use, HIV-related, financial, or other sensitive personal information through text messaging whenever possible.

11. Records Retention

Text messages may be stored and retained in accordance with DePaul’s legal, regulatory, and record-retention requirements.

Certain messages may become part of DePaul’s official records.

If a text message becomes part of a record covered by applicable privacy laws, an individual’s rights under DePaul’s privacy policies and applicable law continue to apply.

12. Updates to This Policy

DePaul may update this SMS Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, messaging platforms, legal requirements, or organizational practices.

Updated versions will be made available through DePaul’s usual communication channels and, when applicable, on DePaul’s website.