Privacy Policy
Last Updated: October 7, 2026
The Talk Trees team is committed to safeguarding student and teacher privacy. Designed by educators for educators, we know and understand the importance of teacher and student data. We take seriously our responsibility to support the effective use of teacher and student information while protecting privacy and ensuring strong information security practices. Our goal is always to help create more academically rich and engaging learning experiences for all.
Talk Trees support teachers and their schools by providing automated instructional feedback. There are three different options to generate a Talk Tree. You can create a simulated Talk Tree, which renders an image based on your response to four survey questions. To create a Talk Tree using our full algorithm, you can either upload an audio recording of a lesson or directly stream from the application. The process for the latter two options is shared below. For any option, our goal is transparency and safety.
How Talk Trees data is uploaded or streamed and what is stored
Audio or transcript upload option: You as the user are in full control over how and when you use Talk Trees. You can choose to record a classroom discussion and then upload it to Talk Trees or use a streaming option to capture a live recording of the discussion.
In both cases, the process is as follows:
We use speech recognition software to create a transcript from the uploaded audio file or stream
The audio file is deleted after transcription and is not retained by Talk Trees.
The transcript is run through an anonymization process intended to remove any names and other identifying information
The anonymous transcript is annotated for talk moves
Once the frequency of talk moves is calculated, all text from the anonymous transcript is deleted
The Talk Tree visualization generated from the processed conversation is created in your account and can be deleted by you at any time which will remove its associated data from our database.
The transcript and anonymized transcript are deleted and hence not retained after processing is complete. Only the data generating the tree is retained.
Additional data-sharing arrangements:
Talk Trees may retain an anonymized transcript for an educational, research, or other authorized purpose only with the express permission of the applicable user or institution, documented through a separate Data Sharing Agreement or other written agreement (e.g., research consent form). Any such retention will be subject to the terms of that agreement and applicable privacy and data-protection requirements, including Institutional Review Board requirements where applicable.
Talk Trees does not retain audio recordings under either the standard application or an additional data-sharing arrangement.
Talk Trees FERPA and COPPA compliance
We do not retain any of the students’ personal identifiable information and therefore the Talk Trees application is designed to support FERPA and COPPA compliance. The uploaded audio file is deleted; the trees are created using analysis based on an anonymized transcript.
Identifiable information
The only information connected to your identity that we request is your name and email. We ask this in order to create a Talk Trees account for you and communicate important updates related to your Talk Trees account.
Talk Trees data retention
You can delete your Talk Trees account at any point by requesting the deletion in an email to support@talktrees.ai. Your data will be securely deleted and disposed of. You can request access to the data we hold, request corrections, or request deletion at any time.
Communication policy
We respect your inbox and your privacy. If you sign up to join our community, we will only email you for three specific purposes; to send updates and let you know about development progress, to invite you to join our co-design feedback community groups, and to notify you when the product is ready for you to try. You can unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of our emails.
Our commitments
We pledge to act as a responsible steward of all personal information in accordance with the commitments outlined below and in full compliance with all laws governing school service providers.
We never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. Your data stays with us.
You are in charge. You can delete your Talk Trees account and unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time.
We aim to always provide clear, accessible disclosures about what information is collected, how it is used, and with whom it is shared
We will maintain a comprehensive security program with administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, and promptly investigate and notify affected parties of any data breach in accordance with applicable laws
We will not make material changes to privacy policies or data practices without prior notice and appropriate choice for schools, teachers, and students
Any successor entities (in the event of merger or acquisition) will be required to uphold these same privacy and data protection commitments
Contact us
If you have questions about this policy or the product, please reach out to us through our contact page.