Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you're probably wondering, answered plainly.

If your question isn't here, email us — we'd rather explain it clearly than have you guess.

Data Collection

What ways can respondents answer — do they need a smartphone?

No. VoiceInsights Africa supports five channels so no one is excluded: Phone Call (any basic mobile number), WhatsApp Voice Notes, an SMS text fallback for feature phones with no data plan, a Web Platform link, and an offline-first Mobile Enumerator App for field workers visiting areas with no network coverage at all. A respondent only needs whichever channel is easiest for them.

What happens in villages with no phone network?

Field enumerators use our offline Mobile Application: they record responses on the device with zero connectivity, and everything syncs automatically the moment the device reconnects — no more carrying paper forms back to transcribe by hand.

What languages does it understand?

Kiswahili, English, and natural code-switching between the two (how most people actually speak). We're continuously improving accuracy for regional accents and dialects.

Safety & Consent

Do respondents know they're being recorded?

Always. Every interaction opens with a spoken consent request explaining what's collected, why, and confirming the respondent can stop at any point. No data is collected without consent.

What if a respondent says something distressing?

The system watches for distress signals — for example, a respondent expressing fear for their safety — and immediately flags that response for urgent human review rather than letting it sit in a general dataset. See our Safeguarding page for details.

Who can see respondent data?

Access is role-based. NGO managers see dashboards and summaries; M&E officers see full datasets for projects they're assigned to; system administrators have technical access only. Nobody sees more than their role requires.

Legal & Regulatory

Is this legal to use in Tanzania?

Yes. The platform is built around Tanzania's Personal Data Protection Act (2022) — consent logging, data minimization, and encryption are core features, not add-ons.

Do I need COSTECH or NBS approval to use this?

It depends on your study type. Scientific research, national studies, and foreign-funded research often need COSTECH clearance; studies producing official statistics may need NBS review. At project setup, VoiceInsights Africa walks you through a compliance checklist to help identify what your specific study likely needs — see our Safeguarding & Compliance page.

Who owns the data we collect?

You do. Your organization owns every response, transcript, and report generated through your account. VoiceInsights Africa processes it on your behalf and never sells or shares client data.

Getting Started

How quickly can we launch a project?

Most organizations go from account setup to their first live campaign within a day — build your survey, choose your channels, and share the link or number with respondents.

How is pricing structured?

Annual subscription plans (Starter, Professional, Enterprise) based on your expected volume and features needed. See Pricing or request a demo for a tailored quote.

Can we try it before committing?

Yes — request a demo and we'll walk through a live pilot on your own survey questions before any commercial discussion.

Still have a question?

We'd rather answer directly than have you guess. Reach out any time.

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