Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Talking Mold (the “website”, “platform” or “we”) is an independent, expert-led educational platform about mold, moisture, mycotoxins, indoor air quality, testing and remediation. The website is operated by Building Forensics, which is the data controller responsible for your personal information collected through this website.

For any privacy request or question about how we handle your data, contact us at jeff@talkingmold.com.

2. What personal information we collect

We aim to collect only the personal information we need to operate the platform and respond to enquiries. The information we may collect includes:

• JeffCharlton AI questions: the text you enter when asking JeffCharlton AI a question, which may include details about a building, a mold problem, a test result or a report.
• Contact form submissions: your name, email address and any message you choose to send us through a contact or enquiry form.
• Correspondence: information contained in emails or other messages you send to us directly.
• Technical data: basic technical information such as IP address, browser type and pages visited, collected through essential/functional cookies and server logs.

3. How we use your information

We use personal information for the following purposes:

• To operate, maintain and improve the Talking Mold platform.
• To process and respond to questions submitted through JeffCharlton AI and to improve the quality of the information provided.
• To respond to contact and enquiry form submissions.
• To understand how visitors use the website and to improve content, navigation and accessibility.
• To meet legal, regulatory and security obligations where they apply.

4. Legal basis for processing (GDPR)

Where the EU or UK GDPR applies, we rely on the following lawful bases:

• Consent — where you choose to submit a question, contact us or otherwise provide information.
• Legitimate interests — to operate the platform, respond to enquiries and improve our educational content, where these interests are not overridden by your rights.
• Legal obligation — where we are required to retain or disclose information by law.

5. JeffCharlton AI and your questions

When you ask JeffCharlton AI a question, the information you provide is used to generate an educational response based on Jeff Charlton’s specialist knowledge. Please do not include sensitive personal, medical or legal information in your questions. Responses are educational only and do not constitute professional, medical or legal advice.

We may retain submitted questions to review and improve the quality and accuracy of the platform. Where we do so, we minimise identifying details wherever practical.

6. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:

• With trusted service providers who help us operate the platform (for example hosting or AI processing providers), under appropriate contractual safeguards.
• Where required by law, regulation or legal process, or to protect the rights, safety or security of the platform and its users.
• In connection with a transfer, reorganisation or sale of all or part of the business, subject to appropriate confidentiality safeguards.

7. International data transfers

Talking Mold serves an international audience. Your information may be processed in countries other than your own, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the European Union. Where this occurs, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses or other lawful transfer mechanisms, and we minimise the personal data transferred.

8. How long we keep information

We keep personal information only for as long as is necessary for the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law. Submitted questions and contact messages are generally retained for a limited period to allow follow-up and improvement, after which they are deleted or anonymised.

9. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of your personal information.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Request portability of your personal information.
• Withdraw consent at any time, where processing relies on consent.
• Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

To exercise any of these rights, contact jeff@talkingmold.com. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.

10. Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss or misuse. However, no method of transmission or storage over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Children’s privacy

Talking Mold is an educational resource intended for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take steps to delete it.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last revised. We encourage you to review this page periodically.