Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

MyResearchHome ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our web application service (the "Service").

This Privacy Policy applies to the web application version of MyResearchHome. Our mobile applications (iOS and Android) have separate privacy policies available in their respective app stores.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when using the Service:

• Account Information: Name, email address, password, and profile information
• ORCID Data: If you choose to integrate ORCID, we access your publication history and academic profile data
• Research Interests: Topics and keywords you set for personalized recommendations
• Saved Papers and Collections: Papers you save, organize, and annotate within the Service
• Usage Preferences: Settings, preferences, and customization choices
• Communication Data: Messages you send to our support team

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you use the Service, we automatically collect:

• Usage Data: Pages viewed, features used, search queries, papers accessed
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address
• Log Data: Access times, error logs, performance data
• Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies and similar technologies (details in Section 7)

2.3 Third-Party Data

We access academic paper metadata from multiple public academic databases and repositories. This data is publicly available academic information and does not contain personal data about you.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
• Personalize your experience and provide tailored recommendations
• Generate AI-powered paper summaries and academic insights
• Process your subscription payments and manage your account
• Send you service-related notifications and updates
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Analyze usage patterns to improve features and performance
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service
• Send marketing communications (only with your consent, and you may opt out at any time)

4. AI and Machine Learning

We use artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide several features:

• Paper Insights: AI-generated summaries of academic papers using the Claude API
• Recommendations: Personalized paper recommendations based on your interests and reading history
• Academic Advisor: AI-powered career guidance based on your research profile

When processing AI features, your research interests, saved papers, and ORCID data may be processed by our AI providers (Anthropic). We ensure these providers maintain appropriate data protection standards and use your data only to provide these services.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

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

5.1 Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:

• Firebase (Google): Authentication and database services
• Stripe: Payment processing
• Anthropic: AI-powered features through the Claude API
• Vercel: Hosting and deployment
• Meilisearch: Search functionality

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to valid legal processes, such as a search warrant, subpoena, or court order.

5.3 Business Transfers

If MyResearchHome is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will provide notice before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

5.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information for any other purpose with your explicit consent.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

• Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS
• Encryption of sensitive data at rest
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Monitoring for unauthorized access

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the Service to function properly
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use the Service
• Authentication Cookies: Keep you logged in

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some features of the Service.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Specifically:

• Account information is retained while your account is active
• Saved papers and collections are retained until you delete them
• Usage logs are typically retained for 90 days for operational purposes
• Payment information is retained as required by tax and accounting regulations
• After account deletion, we may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes

9. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

9.1 Access and Portability

You can access and download your personal information through your account settings. You can export your saved papers and collections in standard formats (BibTeX, JSON).

9.2 Correction

You can update your account information and preferences at any time through your account settings.

9.3 Deletion

You can delete your account at any time through account settings. Upon deletion, we will remove your personal information, though some information may be retained as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

9.4 Marketing Communications

You can opt out of marketing emails by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or by adjusting your email preferences in account settings.

9.5 Do Not Track

Some browsers support a "Do Not Track" feature. Currently, the Service does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

11. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for users under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information.

12. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
• Right to request deletion of your personal information
• Right to opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

13. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

Email: info@myresearchhome.site
Website: myresearchhome.site