Technical Information for AllSides Talks & America Talks
Troubleshooting Tips
For the best experience, we recommend joining AllSides Talks on a laptop or desktop computer using Chrome or Firefox browser. If you don't have access to a laptop or desktop, you can join with an iPhone or iPad using Safari as your browser, or join with an Android device using Chrome.
Having trouble during the conversation?
Try refreshing your browser. If that doesn’t resolve your issue, click the Need Help link below your video window, for additional ideas and support.
Having trouble connecting audio or video?
- Be sure to click “Allow” if prompted, to allow access to your camera and microphone.
- Make sure your camera, microphone and speaker volume are on, not blocked or muted.
- Make sure you’ve closed any other applications that may be using your camera or microphone (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet)
- Refresh the existing browser tab (click the circular arrow in the upper left corner of your browser); this can fix many issues and won’t cause you to exit the application.
DON’T open a new browser tab; try to fix the issue within the existing tab.
If you’re still having trouble:
On Chrome:
- Click the padlock to the left of your address bar and set Camera and Microphone to “Allow”. You might need to try reloading the page after doing so.
- If you need further help troubleshooting audio/video on Google Chrome, click here.
On Firefox:
- Make sure you click “Allow” when prompted.
- Try fully exiting and restarting Firefox.
Hearing background noise or echo?
Echo usually improves soon after the conversation starts. If echo persists, please mute yourself while your partner is speaking.
Video choppy, jerky, or blurry?
Video quality varies in browser-based apps. To improve video quality, maximize bandwidth, close other tabs, and reduce motion.
Having trouble on an Apple iOS device?
Switch to using the Safari browser, not Chrome or Mozilla.
NOTE: ALWAYS use Safari on iPhones and iPads, but use Chrome or Mozilla Firefox on desktop or laptop computers.
Using a Microsoft browser?
Not recommended – switch to Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
How the Platform Works
AllSides Talks uses the Junto video conversation platform. Junto is a browser-based video hosting platform. Unlike an application like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, you are not required to download any software in order to use Junto.
Runs in a browser tab
The Junto platform requires only a compatible device, supported browser, and active internet connection (WiFi, ethernet, or cellular).
Enter your assigned URL into your browser’s address bar to enter the platform, or click the personalized link in your email.
When you are ready to end your conversation, simply press the "Leave" button. Be careful not to do this during the conversation!
Safeguards your privacy
Junto asks users to authenticate via email or an active social media account. This information is only used to authenticate you as a user on the platform (i.e. not a troll), and is not shared with your conversation partner or any third parties.
Only the onscreen identifier you choose (e.g. first name) will be displayed to your conversation partner.
Uses your device’s camera, mic, and speaker
Junto will look for the camera, microphone, and speaker that are activated to run in your browser. You will need all three of these items to hold a face-to-face conversation on Junto. (If you have no camera, you can still speak, but your partner won’t see you.)
Includes a built-in conversation guide
Junto includes a built-in conversation guide with intuitive instructions. Simply follow along with your partner and ask / answer the prompts included in each conversation round.
Includes a “Need Help” link
Having trouble? Refer to our troubleshooting tips or click Need Help below the video window for ideas and support.
Includes a post-conversation survey
At the end of your conversation, you’ll be prompted to complete a very short feedback survey. Please help us learn from your experience!
Platform Requirements
AllSides Talks uses the Junto video conversation platform. Please review the platform requirements for Junto in advance of AllSides Talks, to ensure that your preferred device, browser, and location will support your face-to-face conversation.
Supported Devices
- PC desktop or laptop
- Macbook Pro or Macbook Air
- Chromebook (min 4G RAM)
- iPad 5th gen or later (limited functionality)
- iPhone 6S or later (limited functionality)
Supported Browsers
- Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Safari, if using an iPad or iPhone
Avoid using Safari on desktop or laptop computers – use another supported browser.
Avoid using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. Try switching to Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
Network / WiFi Requirements
Platform requires access to reliable, accessible WiFi, ethernet, or cellular data network; audio and video quality degrade in low-bandwidth environments.
Audio / Video Requirements
- First-time users must click to “Allow” the platform to access the device’s camera and microphone.
- Device must have a camera.
- Device must have a microphone and speaker.
- The correct camera, microphone, and speaker must be selected. Using extra peripherals may require manual selection.
- Other video platforms (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, etc…) must be closed before connecting, to prevent device conflict.
Power / Battery Requirements
Ensure device is plugged in or fully charged; video applications drain battery power quickly.
Software Requirements
Platform operates entirely in the browser and does not require software to be downloaded to the user’s device.
Security / Privacy
- Junto asks users to authenticate via email or an active social media account. This information is only used to authenticate you as a user on the platform (i.e. not a troll), and is not shared with your conversation partner or any third parties.
- Users are asked to share a simple identifier (e.g. first name) when logging into the platform; this identifier will display on screen to other participants.
- Some networks (e.g. in school or work settings) have elaborate firewall configurations that may prohibit users from transmitting audio and video over the platform. Users should verify that transmitting audio and video is permitted from their location.
Ensuring Your Privacy and Safety
AllSides Talks and our event partners take your privacy and safety very seriously. We encourage you to review the AllSides' privacy policy and the Junto privacy policy. While we cannot foresee every circumstance, we have built many safeguards into our event. See below for more details.
How are you screening participants in AllSides Talks?
Only registrants who have fully authenticated based on age, location, email address, and mobile phone will receive an invitation URL to attend an AllSides Talks event.
Confirmed registrants are also subject to a round of manual screening, to identify and remove registrants who have submitted “trolling” responses in the sign-up form.
Will my conversation partner get my private data?
Your conversation partner will only see the onscreen identifier you choose. We recommend entering your first name only, or first name and last initial, if you have privacy concerns.
Your conversation partner will know that you answered some survey questions differently.
If you and your conversation partner wish to share location details or exchange contact details with each other, you may do so at your own discretion. This is completely up to you.
Is the conversation recorded? Who gets the content?
We do not record your conversation with your assigned partner; neither audio, video, nor transcript data is collected.
Exception: If both you and your partner specifically agree to be recorded, for example as part of a media profile piece, we will set your conversation to “record mode” and share the files only for the narrow purpose described.
Note that we cannot prevent a conversation partner from using their device’s screen capture technology to collect audio, video, and or screenshots from the conversation. While we will actively discourage this behavior, we cannot absolutely prevent it.
What if I have a bad experience with my conversation partner?
The AllSides Talks conversation guide is designed to maximize positive interactions between conversation participants. Please follow all instructions, including the described conversation agreements.
Event organizers are not responsible for the content of participants’ conversations, but any participant can click the “Need Help” link to request that a member of our admin team comes to assist you. An admin will remove your partner if they are seen exhibiting unacceptable behavior, and will pair you with a new partner if one is available.
If you wish to report unacceptable behavior after leaving the event, please include details in our feedback form or email us at [email protected]. Include your contact information if you wish to report an issue to law enforcement.
Reported participants may be excluded from further communication regarding the event.
To exit a conversation that is not going well, you can simply close your browser tab or press the "Leave" button at any time. This ends your conversation.
How will younger people’s privacy and security be safeguarded?
Only individuals who are 18 or older and currently residing in the United States are eligible to participate in AllSides Talks.
If you’ve been paired with someone who appears to have bypassed our age (18+) or location (United States) filters, we apologize and recommend that you notify us by clicking the “Need Help” button and requesting an admin.
How will my personal data be used by AllSides Talks event organizers and partners?
As described in the registration form’s required checkbox, AllSides Talks event organizers and partners are permitted to contact you with information related to the AllSides Talks event. This may include media inquiries, which you can accept or decline at your discretion.
If you opted into additional updates, such as by clicking an optional checkbox during registration, then AllSides Talks event organizers and partners may contact you in the future with similar or relating offers.
Your data will not be sold to any third parties for purposes of marketing to you.