Privacy Policy
TalkAlong is operated by Agilient Pty Limited (ABN 37 157 911 441), based in New South Wales, Australia. TalkAlong helps people practise speech and communication. Because we support people who may be vulnerable, and handle health-adjacent information, we hold ourselves to a high standard on privacy. This policy explains what we collect, why, who we share it with, and the choices you have. We handle personal information in line with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
A note on our design
TalkAlong is built to collect as little as it needs. We do not store recordings of a person's voice or video. Speech is converted to text so a session can run, and it is the text — not audio — that is kept. This data-minimisation is a deliberate design choice.
What we collect
- Account information — the name and contact details of the person who sets up and manages an account, and sign-in details.
- Practice information (text) — speech transcripts (text), the words and goals being practised, and progress and usage data.
- Communication and knowledge profile — a text profile of how the person communicates and how they say particular words, built to help the app understand them. This is used for understanding, never to grade or diagnose.
- An optional participant photo — off by default. If added, it is the one stored image of a real person, used only within the account.
We do not store voice or video recordings, and we do not collect more than is needed to provide the service.
Why we collect it
To provide and run the practice tool, to show progress to the family and (where shared) the person's speech pathologist, to keep the service secure, and to support and improve it. We do not sell personal information, and we do not use it for advertising.
Sensitive and health information; consent
Some of what we handle may be sensitive or health-related information about a person who may have a disability. We collect and use it only with consent. Where the person practising cannot consent for themselves, a parent, guardian or authorised carer provides consent on their behalf, and is responsible for the account. We seek separate, written and revocable consent before ever using a real person's story or likeness in any marketing.
Who processes data, and where
We use a small number of trusted service providers to run TalkAlong. Some are located overseas, which means a limited amount of information may be disclosed outside Australia (APP 8). We choose providers that handle data appropriately and limit what each receives.
| Provider | Purpose | What it receives | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Azure | Speech-to-text and the practice voice | The voice stream, processed in real time and not stored by us as audio | Australia |
| Anthropic | The AI that writes encouragement and conversation | Text only (transcripts / profile). It never receives audio. | United States |
| Simli | The on-screen practice-partner face | Our synthesised audio only — no participant voice, name or photo | European Union |
| Anam | The on-screen practice-partner face (some plans) | Our synthesised audio only — no participant voice, name or photo | Overseas (SOC 2 and HIPAA certified; we are confirming the hosting region with the provider) |
| fal.ai | Making the pictures that illustrate practice goals | The goal's words and a broad age range only — never a name, photo or voice | United States |
| Hosting and database | Running the app and storing account data | Account and practice data (text) | Currently hosted with our cloud provider; migrating to Microsoft Azure in Australia |
| Payment provider | Billing (when paid plans are offered) | Billing details | As disclosed at sign-up |
We keep this list current. The person's voice goes only to Azure (in Australia) and is not stored; the AI receives text only; the on-screen face receives no identifying information.
How we protect it
Information is encrypted in transit, each account's data is kept isolated from every other account, and access is limited. Our code has been through a security review (secure configuration, protected database access, secrets kept out of code). As we move to Microsoft Azure in Australia, we are adding further data-residency and security controls.
Keeping and deleting information
We keep information for as long as the account is active and as needed to provide the service, then delete or de-identify it. You can ask us to delete an account and its data at any time, and the app provides tools to clear practice data.
Accessing and correcting your information
You can ask for a copy of the personal information we hold, and ask us to correct it (APPs 12 and 13). Contact us using the details below.
Children and vulnerable people
Where TalkAlong is used by or for a child, or an adult who needs support to make decisions, a parent, guardian or authorised carer sets up and manages the account and provides consent. We take particular care with this information.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the service develops. We will change the date above and, for significant changes, let account holders know.
Contact and complaints
Questions, requests or complaints: hello@talkalong.com.au. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.