SMS Compliance

SoKal SMS Programs — Event Invitations & Friend Invitations

Registered Brand / Sender: JAMES B FLORENCE (operator of the SoKal service). All SMS messages described on this page are sent by JAMES B FLORENCE under the SoKal product name. References to "SoKal," "we," "our," or "us" on this page refer to JAMES B FLORENCE.

JAMES B FLORENCE, doing business as SoKal, sends SMS text messages for two distinct transactional programs: Event Invitations (when a SoKal user invites contacts by phone number to a specific event) and Friend Invitations (when a SoKal user invites a contact to connect with them on the app). This page documents the opt-in flow, consent language, sample messages, and opt-out process for both programs.

Event Invitations — Opt-In Flow

The following screenshots show how a SoKal user creates an event and invites contacts, resulting in an SMS invitation with an RSVP page that includes explicit SMS consent.

Step 1: User selects contacts to invite to an event — 1. Select contacts to invite
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Step 2: User creates the event with invited contacts — 2. Create the event
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Step 3: Invitee receives an SMS with event details and RSVP link — 3. SMS received by invitee
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Step 4: RSVP page with SMS consent checkbox — 4. RSVP page with SMS consent
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Consent Collection

When an invitee opens the RSVP page, they see a checkbox to opt in to SMS notifications for the event. The user's phone number is clearly displayed so they know which number is being opted in.

Consent is collected before any additional SMS messages are sent. The initial invitation SMS is a one-time transactional message triggered by the event creator selecting the contact's phone number.

Opt-Out

Recipients can opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any message from SoKal. Upon opting out:

A single confirmation message is sent: "You have been unsubscribed from SoKal SMS. You will not receive any more messages. Reply HELP for help."
No further SMS messages will be sent to that number
The opt-out is recorded and respected across all future events

Users can also reply HELP at any time to receive assistance information, or contact us at team@sokal.app.

Message Frequency

Message frequency varies based on event activity. Typical recipients receive fewer than 5 messages per month. Messages are only sent in the following scenarios:

Event invitation (one-time per event)
Event updates (time change, cancellation) — only if the recipient opted in
Event reminders — only if the recipient opted in

There are no recurring, scheduled, or marketing messages. Message and data rates may apply.

Friend Invitations

SoKal is a social calendar mobile app. When an existing SoKal user invites a contact to connect on the app, SoKal sends a one-time transactional SMS to the invitee. Each message identifies the inviter by name, explains that they want to connect on SoKal, and provides a branded download link (sokal.app/download). Phone numbers are selected by the SoKal user from their own device's contact list at the moment of invitation, establishing invitation-style consent. Messages are triggered only by an explicit in-app action from the sender; there are no scheduled, recurring, or marketing messages. Recipients may reply STOP at any time to opt out, or HELP for support information.

Friend invite screen: SoKal user selects a contact and sends a one-time invitation — Friend invite screen
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Sample Message

Each recipient receives at most one friend-invitation SMS per inviter. There are no follow-ups, reminders, or marketing messages. Opt-out via STOP is honored immediately and recorded across all future SoKal SMS programs.

Privacy

Phone numbers collected for SMS delivery are used solely to send event-related messages. We do not sell, rent, or share phone numbers with third parties for marketing purposes. For full details, see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Contact

For questions about our SMS program, contact us at team@sokal.app.