Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information when you use ChatAcademia:

• Personal Information: When you sign in using Google authentication, we collect your name and email address.
• Usage Information: We collect information about how you interact with the Service, including your preferences and usage patterns.
• Device Information: We may collect information about the device you use to access the Service, including operating system and browser type.
• Uploaded Content: Files you upload (PDFs, documents) and data from connected third-party services (Google Drive, Zotero, Mendeley) are processed to provide the Service.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service.
• Communicate with you about updates, security alerts, and support messages.
• Conduct research and analysis to better understand how users interact with the Service.
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

3. No AI Training on Your Data

We do not use your personal data, uploaded files, research content, conversations, or any other user-generated content to train, fine-tune, or improve artificial intelligence or machine learning models. Your data is processed in real time solely to deliver the Service to you and is not retained for model training purposes.

When we use third-party AI providers (such as large language models) to power features in the Service, your data is sent to these providers only to generate responses for your immediate request. We select AI providers that do not use customer inputs for training their models.

4. Third-Party Integrations and Data Access

ChatAcademia connects to third-party services to enhance your research workflow. We access your data from these services in a strictly read-only manner:

• Google (Authentication & Google Drive): We use Google OAuth for sign-in and access only the files you explicitly select from Google Drive. We do not modify, delete, or create files in your Google account.
• Zotero: We read your Zotero library (references, collections, attachments, and metadata) to help you search and cite papers. We do not write, modify, or delete any data in your Zotero account.
• Mendeley: We read your Mendeley library (references, folders, and metadata) to assist with paper management. We do not write, modify, or delete any data in your Mendeley account.
• Uploaded Files: PDFs and documents you upload are stored securely and processed to extract text for analysis. They are accessible only to you and are never shared with other users or used for AI training.

You can disconnect any third-party service at any time through your account settings. Upon disconnection, we immediately stop accessing data from that service. Previously cached data from that service is deleted.

5. Handling of Google User Data

ChatAcademia uses Google authentication for sign-in purposes. When you sign in with Google, we access only your basic profile information (name and email address). If you connect Google Drive, we access only the files you explicitly select. This data is strictly limited to the purposes of authentication and providing the Service. We do not share your Google user data with any additional third parties beyond what is necessary to provide the Service.

6. Information Sharing

We may share your personal information in the following situations:

• With your consent or at your direction.
• To comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
• To protect the rights, privacy, safety, or property of ChatAcademia, our users, or the public.
• In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

7. Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. You can delete your account at any time through your account settings, which will permanently remove your personal data, uploaded files, conversations, and all associated content from our systems.

8. Your Choices

You have choices regarding the information we collect and how it's used:

• You can access, update, or delete your personal information through your account settings.
• You can disconnect third-party integrations (Google Drive, Zotero, Mendeley) at any time.
• You may opt out of receiving promotional communications from us by following the unsubscribe instructions in those messages.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

ChatAcademia uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the Service to function properly, including authentication and session management.
• Analytics Cookies: We use analytics tools to collect usage data, including session recordings and heatmaps, to help us understand how users interact with the Service and improve the user experience.

10. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. All data is encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at team@chatacademia.com.