participant messaging program · effective September 29, 2026 · disclosure version participant-messaging-v6-2026-09-29

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how The EQ Company, which operates eq, collects, uses, and protects information for the eq Participant Messaging program. eq is the participant-facing brand operated by The EQ Company. Research-session recordings and research data are covered by separate notices and consent.

Information we collect

For this messaging program, we may collect your mobile phone number, messaging-channel preference, opt-in or opt-out choice, the version and time of your consent, messages and replies, and delivery or error information.

Specifically, this includes the SMS or WhatsApp channel you select, your phone-verification status, whether you opted in or declined, the exact disclosure version and text presented to you, the time and source of your choice, IP address and browser information when the choice is submitted on the website, STOP, START, and HELP events, and delivery, carrier, or error information.

How we use it

We use this information to verify your phone number and communicate about your participant application, acceptance, scheduling, session reminders, arrival instructions, support questions, session changes, and related follow-up. We do not use this operational opt-in for unrelated promotions. Promotional messages would require a separate opt-in.

We also use this information to document consent, honor opt-outs, prevent sending after an opt-out, investigate abuse or delivery failures, and meet legal and carrier requirements. That separate promotional opt-in would be purpose-specific.

Mobile information is not shared for marketing

We do not sell or share your SMS opt-in data or personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

eq may disclose records if valid legal process requires it or to protect safety and security; such disclosures never permit marketing use.

Message frequency and charges

Message frequency varies based on your application, scheduled sessions, and conversations with eq. Message and data rates may apply.

Your choices

Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help. You can also email team@emotionalintelligenceco.com. Choosing not to receive text messages does not prevent you from applying or participating; we can contact you by email instead.

Consent is optional and is not a condition of purchase, application, acceptance, scheduling, or participation. Reply STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, or QUIT to opt out. You may receive one message confirming the opt-out. After opting out, you may opt in again through an eq opt-in flow or by replying START to the program number.

Retention

eq retains messaging-consent, refusal, opt-out suppression, message, delivery, and audit records indefinitely to preserve proof, honor your choice, prevent unauthorized sending, administer the participant program, and meet legal, carrier, and security requirements, subject to rights and limits that applicable law requires. Keeping an opt-out suppression record helps ensure that eq does not resume messages by mistake.

Security

eq uses access controls, authentication, restricted administrative access, transport encryption, and operational logging designed to protect messaging records. No service is completely secure. Do not send passwords, financial account data, medical records, or other highly sensitive information by text or WhatsApp.

Changes and broader privacy information

eq may update this policy by posting a new effective date and disclosure version. A material change to the messaging permission requires a new disclosure version. Before any material expansion of the program’s messaging purposes, eq will give notice and, when law or carrier rules require one, request a new opt-in; an earlier opt-in is never silently expanded. See the general Privacy Notice for the participant website and program. The general notice does not expand this messaging permission.

Questions

Contact team@emotionalintelligenceco.com with questions about this messaging program.