Privacy Commitment

1. Introduction to Our Privacy Standards

LifelinePhoneService.org (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is an independent organization dedicated to providing educational resources and navigation tools for federal connectivity programs. Because we serve as a steward of information for the community, we prioritize the protection and ethical handling of your personal data.

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, utilize, and safeguard your information when you interact with our website, our eligibility navigator tools, and our referral services. By using our platform, you acknowledge the terms described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

To provide accurate navigational guidance to authorized Lifeline and ACP providers, we may collect the following categories of information:

A. Voluntarily Provided Information

• Contact Data: Your name, email address, and phone number when you submit an inquiry or use our navigator tool.
• Regional Data: Your zip code, which is essential to identify service providers authorized in your specific area.
• Eligibility Indicators: Information regarding your participation in qualifying programs (such as SNAP, SSI, or Medicaid) to provide tailored navigational results.

B. Automatically Collected Data

When you browse our Resource Center, we use standard analytics tools to collect non-identifiable technical data, including your IP address, browser type, device information, and time spent on specific resource pages. This data is used strictly for optimizing the community user experience.

3. Utilization of Your Data

We utilize your data for specific, mission-driven purposes:

• Provider Referrals: Connecting you with authorized service providers that meet your regional and program-based needs.
• Communication: Responding to your support inquiries regarding eligibility or technical compliance.
• Program Updates: Sending periodic guides and alerts regarding changes to federal subsidy funding or recertification deadlines (if you have opted-in).

4. SMS and Mobile Communication

By providing your mobile phone number to our organization, you consent to receive informational messages regarding your eligibility status and provider matching results.

• You may opt-out of these communications at any time by replying “STOP.”
• Standard message and data rates may apply.
• We do not share your SMS opt-in consent with third parties for the purpose of unrelated marketing.

5. Data Security & Stewardship

We implement industry-standard encryption and security protocols to protect the information transmitted through our secure forms. While no digital platform can guarantee 100% security, we conduct regular audits of our data handling practices to ensure they align with federal and state privacy regulations.

We do not store sensitive government documents (such as full SSN or medical records) on our primary servers. When you use external links to the National Verifier or state agencies, you are governed by their respective federal privacy policies.

6. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

California residents have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:

• The Right to Know: You may request a disclosure of the categories of data we have collected about you.
• The Right to Delete: You may request that we delete the personal information we have collected.
• The Right to Opt-Out: You have the right to direct us not to share your information with referral partners.

To exercise these rights, please contact our Compliance Officer via our standard contact portal.

7. Changes to This Policy

The federal landscape of the Lifeline and ACP programs is subject to legislative change. Consequently, this Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect new compliance requirements. Significant changes will be noted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.