Notification Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Tentative Effective Date: November 1st, 2025
1. Introduction
By subscribing to the ShellCast Notification Service, you consent to receiving SMS messages about ShellCast's potential lease closures today, tomorrow, or in 2 days. Message frequency may vary depending on weather conditions, and standard message and data rates may apply.
2. Subscription and Consent
Opt-In process
Text and email notification services are exclusively available to registered users. To register and log in to the ShellCast website, a Gmail address is required. Users must also register their lease location and select a risk category for lease closure at which they will receive notifications: "Moderate or higher," "High or higher," or "Very high."
Opt-in Information
Registered users can manage notification settings via the Preferences link in the top-right corner, by clicking their registered email. To opt-in, check the relevant box, provide a mobile phone number or email address, confirm consent, and save the settings. Users can opt-in to both options.
Opt-In Form Examples
Verification
Upon subscribing, users will receive a one-time verification message. Continued use of the Service confirms your consent.
3. Message Content and Frequency
Types of Messages
Users will be notified about the potential risk of temporary harvest closure for registered leases. The forecasts provide estimates on the risk that a lease site or growing area will temporarily close today, tomorrow, or in 2 days due to excess rainfall in states aside from Florida. Florida utilizes a different excess rainfall system and it is only possible to estimate day-of closure risk. For more information see How ShellCast Works.
Text Message Example
Email Message Example
Frequency Disclosure
Message frequency depends on the weather conditions. If there's a risk of closure for one of your leases and the closure category matches your notification settings, ShellCast will send a notification between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. ET.
4. Opt-Out and Help
Opt-Out Process
Text Notification- To stop receiving text messages, reply with any of the following keywords: STOP, QUIT, END, REVOKE, OPT OUT, CANCEL, or UNSUBSCRIBE. Alternatively, visit the Preferences page on the ShellCast website to uncheck the consent box.
- To stop receiving email notifications, click "Unsubscribe" in any ShellCast notification email or visit the Preferences page on the ShellCast website to uncheck the consent box.
Opt-Out Message Example
"You have successfully opted out of messages from ShellCast forecasting tool. You will receive no further messages."
Help Process
For support or more information, reply HELP to a text notification, visit the FAQs on the ShellCast website, or contact us directly.
Help Message Example
"Thank you for reaching out. Please emal for support. Reply STOP to cancel."
5. Privacy Policy
Data Collection and Use
We collect your personal information (e.g. email, mobile number, lease locations, and notification settings) to provide the ShellCast notification service. We do not share your information with third parties for marketing purposes.
Data Security
We implement industry-standard measures to safeguard your information. However, while we strive for maximum security, we cannot guarantee absolute protection.
Privacy Disclosure
Please review our full Privacy Policy below for detailed information on how your data is collected, used and protected.
6. Fee and Carrier Charges
Carrier Fees:
Standard message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier and plan. You are solely responsible for any fees incurred by your use of the ShellCast notification service.
No Additional Service Fee
There is no additional service fee for using the ShellCast notification service.
7. Amendments and Governing Law
Modifications
We reserve the right to modify these Terms & Conditions and our Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on our website and become effective upon posting.
Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions and our Privacy Policy are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of North Carolina.
8. Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these Terms & Conditions or the Service, please contact us at: Email: shellcastapp@ncsu.edu
Privacy Policy
Tentative Effective Date: November 1st, 2025
1. Introduction
ShellCast forecasting tool is run by a team of researchers in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at NC State University led by Dr. Natalie Nelson. The ShellCast team ("We", "Our", "Us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your personal information when you subscribe to our service. By opting in to our service, you agree to the practices outlined in this policy.
2. Information We Collect
When you sign up for our notification service, we collect and process the following types of information:
Personal Information
- Your email address
- Your mobile number
- Your lease location
Usage Information
- Your notification preferences and subscription details
- Records of interactions with our service (e.g., opt-in/opt-out actions)
3. How We Use Your Information
Your information is used solely for the purpose of providing the ShellCast notification service.
Notification Delivery
To send possible temporary closure of one or more of your registered leases.
Service Enhancement
To analyze usage and improve the functionality and reliability of our notification system.
Compliance and Communication
To ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and to inform you of service updates, maintenance, or security issues.
4. Data Protection and Security
We take the security of your personal information seriously. Access to your personal data is limited to authorized personnel who require it for service operation and maintenance.
5. Data Sharing and Disclosure
Limited Sharing
Your personal information is not shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
Legal Obligations
We may disclose your information when required to comply with legal obligations, such as a court order, or to protect our rights.
6. Your Rights and Choices
Access and Correction
You have the right to access and update your personal information. If you need to make any corrections or updates, please contact us using details provided below.
Opt-Out
You may opt-out of receiving notifications at any time by following the instructions included in each message (e.g., reply "STOP") or ShellCast website's preference settings.
Data Deletion
Upon request, and subject to applicable legal obligations, we will delete your personal data from our system.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law. When your data is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or anonymized.
8. International Data Transfers
Your personal information is stored and processed within the United States. By using our service, you consent to transfer and processing of your data in the United States, where data protection law may differ from those in your jurisdiction.
9. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes, we will revise the "Effective Date" and post the updated policy on our website. Your continued use of our service after any changes indicates your acceptance of new terms.
10. Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or data practices, please contact us at:
Email: shellcastapp@ncsu.edu