SMS Consent & Compliance
Last updated: March 16, 2026
StarFlywheel is a review management platform operated by Ascend Net Solutions, LLC. We enable local businesses to send review request messages to their customers via email and SMS. This page describes how our platform enforces SMS consent and protects consumers from unsolicited messages.
1. How SMS Works on StarFlywheel
StarFlywheel is a business-to-business (B2B) platform. We do not message consumers directly. Instead, businesses use our platform to send review request SMS to their own customers — people who have visited their restaurant, salon, dental office, fitness studio, or other local business.
SMS messages sent through StarFlywheel are limited to:
- Review requests — asking a customer to leave a review on Google, Yelp, Facebook, or OpenTable after visiting the business
- Follow-up reminders — a single follow-up to customers who have not yet responded to the initial review request
SMS is available to businesses on paid plans (Lite, Growth, Pro) for customers located in the United States and Canada only.
2. How We Enforce Consumer Consent
Before any SMS message is sent through our platform, the following safeguards are enforced at every level:
2.1 Explicit Opt-In Required
Businesses must explicitly mark each customer as having consented to receive SMS before that customer can be included in any SMS campaign. This is done through a dedicated SMS consent checkbox when adding a customer to the platform. The checkbox is unchecked by default — consent is never assumed or pre-selected.
2.2 Consent Method and Timestamp Recorded
When a business marks a customer as opted-in, they must specify how consent was obtained. We record:
- Consent status — opted in or opted out
- Consent method — how consent was collected (verbal, written, web form, or point of sale)
- Consent timestamp — the exact date and time consent was recorded in the platform
This creates a traceable audit trail for every customer who receives SMS through our platform.
2.3 Server-Side Enforcement
Our message queue automatically skips any customer who has not been marked as opted-in — even if they have a phone number on file. This enforcement happens at the server level, not just the user interface. A business cannot bypass this check, regardless of how they interact with the platform.
2.4 Bulk Import Certification
When businesses import customers via CSV file, they must certify TCPA compliance before the import is processed. A certification checkbox requires the business to confirm: “I certify that customers marked with SMS consent have explicitly agreed to receive text messages from my business in compliance with TCPA regulations.” The import cannot proceed without this certification.
2.5 Campaign-Level Consent Gating
When a business creates an SMS campaign, our platform displays the number of customers who have opted in versus the total number of customers. If no customers have SMS consent, the campaign cannot be created. A compliance notice is displayed on every SMS campaign confirming that only opted-in customers will receive messages.
3. Consumer Opt-Out Rights
Every SMS message sent through StarFlywheel includes the following opt-out footer:
Consumers can opt out at any time by:
- Replying STOP (or UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, QUIT, or END) to any SMS — this automatically and immediately revokes their consent status in our system
- Contacting the business directly — the business can manually update the customer's consent status in their dashboard
Once a customer opts out, they cannot receive further SMS messages through our platform unless they provide new, express consent to the business.
4. HELP Keyword Support
Consumers who reply HELP (or INFO) to any SMS sent through StarFlywheel will receive the following response:
5. Business Obligations
Businesses using StarFlywheel to send SMS are bound by our Terms of Service (Section 4.1 — SMS Messaging Compliance) which requires them to:
- Obtain prior express consent from each customer before sending SMS, in compliance with the TCPA, CASL, and all applicable laws
- Accurately record consent status and method — businesses must not mark a customer as consented if consent was not actually obtained
- Honor all opt-out requests immediately and not re-enroll opted-out customers without new express consent
- Only send messages related to the review request purpose for which consent was obtained
- Include accurate sender identification in all messages
Failure to comply may result in suspension or termination of the business's account and SMS privileges.
6. Data Handling & Third-Party Providers
SMS messages are delivered through Twilio, our third-party messaging provider. To deliver SMS, we share the customer's phone number and message content with Twilio. Twilio processes this data in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
We do not sell, rent, or share customer phone numbers with any third party for marketing purposes. Phone numbers are used exclusively for delivering review request messages on behalf of the business.
For complete details on how we handle data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
7. Regulatory Compliance
StarFlywheel's SMS features are designed to comply with:
- TCPA — Telephone Consumer Protection Act (United States)
- CAN-SPAM Act — Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing Act (United States)
- CASL — Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation
- GDPR — General Data Protection Regulation (European Union)
- CCPA — California Consumer Privacy Act
- CTIA Messaging Principles — Industry best practices for messaging
Every SMS sent through our platform includes opt-out instructions. Our platform enforces consent at the server level, ensuring that no message is sent to a consumer without recorded opt-in consent from the business.
8. Sample Messages
The following are examples of messages sent through our platform:
Review request:
Opt-in confirmation:
HELP response:
9. Contact
For questions about our SMS practices, consent enforcement, or to report unwanted messages: