Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 5, 2026
Northstar Relay (“Relay”, “we”, “us”) operates a satellite-text Q&A service at +1 (864) 387-3529 and the website northstarrelay.com. This policy explains what we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.
Information we collect
- Account information — name, email address, and password hash, collected when you create an account.
- Satellite device phone number — the number you text from, collected during onboarding so we can route replies back to your device.
- Device types — which satellite device(s) you use (Garmin inReach, Zoleo, SPOT, iPhone, etc.), so we can tailor the service.
- Optional MapShare URL — if provided, we use it to fetch your last-known location for weather and conditions lookups.
- Message content — the questions you text to Relay and the replies we send, retained for service quality and safety review.
How we use your information
- To deliver SMS replies to your satellite device.
- To look up relevant live data (weather, tides, trail conditions, first-aid protocols) and return a compressed answer.
- To authenticate your account and secure the service.
- To improve reply quality and detect abuse, safety risks, or fraudulent use.
- To respond to HELP messages and support requests.
SMS consent and messaging
By registering your satellite device phone number with Relay, you consent to receive automated SMS replies from +1 864-387-3529 in response to questions you text to the service.
- Message frequency varies based on how often you text us.
- Message and data rates may apply.
- Reply HELP for help or STOP at any time to unsubscribe.
- After you text STOP, we will stop sending SMS replies and will send one final confirmation message.
No sharing for marketing. No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information obtained as part of the SMS consent process — including your phone number and your opt-in itself — will not be shared with any third parties for marketing purposes.
How we share information
We share information only with the service providers we need to run Relay:
- Twilio — for sending and receiving SMS.
- Supabase — for account storage and authentication.
- Model providers (e.g., Google Gemini, Anthropic) — to generate replies. Message content is processed to answer your question and is not used by these providers to train their models where that option is available to us.
- Public data APIs (NWS, NOAA, USGS, Open-Meteo, OSM) — to fetch the facts we cite in replies. These calls do not include your identity.
We do not sell your personal information. We do not share personal information with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
Data retention
We retain account data for as long as your account is active. Message logs are retained for up to 24 months for safety, quality, and debugging, then deleted or anonymized. You can request deletion of your account and associated data by emailing hello@northstarrelay.com.
Security
Passwords are stored hashed. Traffic to our site and APIs is encrypted in transit with TLS. Supabase row-level security restricts each account to its own data. No system is perfect, so please use a strong, unique password.
Your choices
- Text STOP to +1 864-387-3529 to stop SMS replies at any time.
- Text HELP for help and contact information.
- Update or remove your phone number by signing in at northstarrelay.com/dashboard.
- Request account deletion by emailing hello@northstarrelay.com.
Children
Relay is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect information from them. If you believe a child has provided information, contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be announced on this page with a new “Last updated” date.
Contact
Questions about this policy or our practices? Email hello@northstarrelay.com.