This policy explains what information Vernacular Labs collects, why we collect it, and the choices you have. It covers this website and the research studies we run, including the scheduling page you may reach from a text message invitation.
Who we are
Vernacular Labs LLC (“Vernacular Labs”) is a research organization that conducts opinion research through one-on-one phone interviews. When this policy says “we,” “us,” or “our,” it means Vernacular Labs. You can reach us at info@vernacularlabs.ai.
What we collect and why
If you are invited to take part in one of our research studies, we may collect the following.
- Name and phone number. We get these from public voter registration records and use them to invite people to take part in a study.
- Booking record. When you schedule a call, we record the time you chose, the version of the consent text you agreed to, when you agreed, your IP address, and your browser type. We keep this so we can call you at the right time and keep a record of your consent.
- Interview recording and transcript. We record the audio of the research interview and produce a written transcript of it, so we can analyze what people tell us. Interviews may be conducted by an automated, AI-generated voice interviewer.
- Honorarium delivery status. Your $50 honorarium is sent by text to the phone number on your booking, through our payment provider: $10 shortly after the call starts, and $40 when the interview is done. We keep a record of whether each payment was sent and delivered.
- Text message delivery status. We keep a record of whether the texts we send you were delivered.
If you write to us through this website’s contact form or by email, we use what you send us to reply to you.
How we use it
- To conduct and analyze opinion research.
- To schedule and conduct your interview.
- To verify that an interview was completed and deliver your honorarium.
- To keep records of the consent you gave us.
Who we share it with
- Service providers. We use companies that act on our behalf to provide telephony, text messaging, payment delivery, and cloud hosting. They receive only the information they need to provide those services to us.
- Research findings. We report what we learn in aggregate, or with identifying details removed.
- As required by law. We may disclose information if we are required to by law or legal process.
We do not sell personal information.
Text messages (SMS)
How we get your consent
We ask for your consent to receive texts on our scheduling page, through a checkbox that is unchecked by default and that you must tick yourself before booking. Consent to receive texts is not a condition of any purchase.
What we send
After you book a call, we send only messages about that call:
- a confirmation of your booking;
- a reminder 24 hours before your call;
- a reminder one hour before your call;
- a confirmation if you change or cancel your time; and
- a link to pick another time if we miss you.
Your honorarium arrives in separate texts sent by our payment provider. We do not send marketing messages.
How often
Message frequency varies, usually 2 to 4 texts per booking. Message and data rates may apply.
Opting out and getting help
Reply STOP to any of our texts to opt out at any time. Reply HELP for help, or email us at info@vernacularlabs.ai.
Your mobile information
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
How long we keep it
- Interview recordings and transcripts are kept for the duration of the research program, and then deleted or de-identified.
- Consent and payment records are kept as required for audit.
Your choices
- Stop texts. Reply STOP to any message from us, or email info@vernacularlabs.ai.
- Ask what we hold, or ask us to delete it. Email info@vernacularlabs.ai and tell us the phone number we contacted you at. We will respond to your request.
Changes to this policy
If we change this policy, we will post the new version on this page and update the effective date above.
Contact
Vernacular Labs LLC · info@vernacularlabs.ai