Communications Disclaimer

1. Supplemental Communication Tool

The MayDay-IC Push-to-Talk (PTT) and messaging features are supplemental communication tools designed to augment—not replace—primary radio systems, land mobile radio (LMR) networks, or other established emergency communication infrastructure.

• PTT communications within MayDay-IC should never be used as the sole means of emergency communication
• Primary radio channels and established communication protocols must remain the authoritative communication method for all operational and life-safety communications
• MayDay-IC PTT operates over cellular data or Wi-Fi networks and is subject to the limitations of those networks

2. Encryption Limitations

MayDay-IC communications are encrypted in transit using TLS 1.2+ and at rest using AES-256 encryption. However:

• No absolute guarantee: While we employ industry-standard encryption, no encryption system can guarantee absolute protection against all forms of interception, eavesdropping, or unauthorized access
• Device-level vulnerabilities: Encryption protects data in transit and at rest on our servers, but compromised end-user devices may expose communications
• Metadata: While message content is encrypted, certain metadata (timestamps, participant identifiers, channel information) may be accessible for operational and audit purposes
• Not certified for classified communications: MayDay-IC is not certified for the transmission of classified, top-secret, or national security information under any government classification system

3. AI Transcription Accuracy

MayDay-IC offers AI-powered transcription of PTT audio communications. Transcription accuracy varies based on multiple factors:

• Background noise: Sirens, machinery, wind, crowd noise, and other ambient sounds common in emergency environments significantly reduce transcription accuracy
• Accents and dialects: Regional accents, non-native speakers, and dialectal variations may result in transcription errors
• Technical terminology: Specialized emergency services jargon, medical terminology, ten-codes, and agency-specific language may not be accurately transcribed
• Audio quality: Low-quality microphones, poor network conditions, and audio compression may degrade transcription results
• Multiple speakers: Overlapping speech and rapid speaker changes may cause attribution errors or missed content

AI transcriptions should be treated as approximate records and should not be relied upon as verbatim transcripts for legal, evidentiary, or official documentation purposes.

4. Network Dependency

PTT and real-time messaging features require an active network connection (cellular data or Wi-Fi) to function. In disaster environments, network infrastructure may be degraded, congested, or entirely unavailable.

• PTT will not function without network connectivity
• Messages queued during offline periods will be delivered when connectivity is restored, but delivery timing is not guaranteed
• Network congestion during large-scale incidents may cause latency, dropped transmissions, or failed message delivery

5. Audio Quality

Audio quality for PTT communications varies based on environmental and technical conditions:

• Network bandwidth and latency affect real-time audio quality
• Device microphone and speaker quality vary across devices
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as SCBA masks, helmets, and gloves may interfere with microphone input and audio output
• Environmental noise in emergency settings may make audio difficult to understand

6. Channel Assignments

Channel assignments and communication group configurations within MayDay-IC are advisory aids for organizational purposes. They do not replace official radio channel assignments, talk group configurations, or communications plans established by the Incident Commander or Communications Unit Leader (COML).

7. Sensitive Information

8. Recording & Transcription Disclosure

PTT communications within MayDay-IC may be recorded and transcribed for operational documentation, quality assurance, training, and compliance purposes. By using PTT features, users acknowledge and consent to the recording and transcription of their communications within the platform.

• Recordings are stored in accordance with our Data Retention Policy
• Access to recordings is restricted to authorized personnel with appropriate role-based permissions
• Users should inform other parties that communications may be recorded when communicating with individuals outside the MayDay-IC platform
• Recording practices comply with applicable federal and state wiretapping and electronic surveillance laws

9. Not a Certified Dispatch System

MayDay-IC PTT and messaging features are not a certified dispatch system. They do not meet the requirements for a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), Enhanced 911 (E911) system, or Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Do not use MayDay-IC as a substitute for these critical public safety infrastructure systems.

10. Backup Communication Methods

Agencies and users are strongly advised to maintain backup communication methods at all times when using MayDay-IC for field communications:

• Land mobile radio (LMR) systems should remain the primary communication method
• Satellite communication devices for areas with no cellular coverage
• Physical runners/messengers as a last-resort backup
• Pre-established rally points and communication schedules for network-down scenarios

11. Message Delivery

Message delivery within MayDay-IC is not guaranteed in poor connectivity conditions. Messages may be delayed, delivered out of order, or fail to deliver entirely in areas with degraded network connectivity. Critical operational communications should always be confirmed through redundant communication channels.

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