Last updated onSeptember 14, 2026

Privacy Policy

At SpanSearch, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, process, and protect your information when you use SpanSearch products and services, including the SpanSearch website, application, and the SpanSearch Browser Connector Chrome extension. SpanSearch is built local-first — your research data stays on your device and is not uploaded to our servers.

1. SpanSearch Browser Connector (Chrome Extension)

This section describes how the SpanSearch Browser Connector collects, uses, stores, and discloses user data. The extension's single purpose is to capture a webpage you choose to save as a research source or writing evidence, and to transmit that content to the SpanSearch application. The extension does not analyze page content, run research, or call third-party AI models. It does not monitor your browsing in the background.

The use of information collected by the SpanSearch Browser Connector complies with the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

Data Collection

When you explicitly choose to save a page, the extension collects webpage content from that page, limited to what is necessary for its single purpose:

  • Page URL and title
  • Visible page text and content you selected as a research source or writing evidence

The extension does not collect browsing history, does not track pages you visit in the background, and does not collect cookies, passwords, or payment information.

Data Handling

The extension uses collected webpage content solely to provide and improve its disclosed single purpose: it sends the captured page content to the SpanSearch web application. The extension itself does not analyze page content, generate research, or call AI models. All further processing — including adding sources, attaching writing evidence, generating cited research, and sending queries to AI models — occurs in the SpanSearch application, as described in the sections below.

Data Storage

Webpage content you include as writing evidence is stored locally in your browser on your device. This data is not stored on SpanSearch servers. Uninstalling the extension or clearing browser storage deletes this local data. You are responsible for backing up local data if you wish to retain it.

Data Sharing

The Browser Connector does not sell, rent, or share user data with third parties, including for advertising, marketing, or analytics. It sends captured webpage content only to SpanSearch, our first-party application, as necessary to provide the extension's functionality.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information

  • Account information (name, email address, password)
  • Personal preference settings
  • Payment and billing information
  • Communication preferences and locale settings

Research Data (Stored Locally)

The following data is stored locally on your device and is not uploaded to our servers:

  • Research reports and generated content
  • Custom data source configurations and credentials
  • Research conversations with the AI agent
  • Webpage content captured via the Browser Connector when you choose to add a page as a source or writing evidence
  • Source materials and cached content from connected data sources
  • Citation mappings and cross-verification results

Because this data remains on your device, you have full control over it. Uninstalling the application or clearing local storage will permanently delete this data.

Usage Data

  • Feature usage and interaction patterns (anonymized)
  • Credit consumption and subscription status
  • Error reports and performance diagnostics
  • Device type and application version

3. How We Use Your Information

  • Service Delivery: To provide, maintain, and improve our AI research platform features
  • AI Processing: To send research queries and relevant source content to third-party AI providers for generating responses and citations
  • Account Management: To manage your subscription, credits, and account settings
  • Communication: To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
  • Security: To protect our platform and users from fraud and unauthorized access
  • Analytics: To understand usage patterns and improve our services (using anonymized data only)

4. Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share your data only in these limited circumstances:

  • Third-Party AI Service Providers: To deliver AI-powered research features, your queries and relevant source content are transmitted to third-party AI service providers for processing. These providers process your data solely to generate research responses and are bound by their own privacy policies and data processing agreements. Your data is not used to train AI models.
  • Payment Processors: Billing information is processed by certified payment providers; we do not store credit card details on our servers
  • Legal Requirements:When required by law or to protect our rights and users' safety

Your locally stored research data is never shared with third parties unless you explicitly choose to export or share it.

5. Local Data Storage

SpanSearch's local-first architecture is central to our privacy commitment:

  • All research reports, source configurations, conversation history, and webpage content captured as writing evidence are stored on your device (including in the browser for the Browser Connector)
  • Data at rest is protected with enterprise-grade encryption on your device
  • We cannot access, read, or recover your locally stored research data
  • You are responsible for backing up your local data to prevent loss
  • Only queries necessary for AI processing are transmitted — not your full research archive

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

  • SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission between your device and our services
  • Enterprise-grade encryption for locally stored research data
  • Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
  • Access controls and authentication systems for account data
  • Secure payment processing through trusted providers

Note: We do not store credit card information on our servers. All payments are processed by certified payment providers.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:

  • Account data: Until you delete your account or request deletion
  • Local research data: Retained on your device until you delete it or uninstall the application
  • AI processing data: Queries transmitted to third-party AI providers are used solely to generate responses and are not retained by us after processing is complete
  • Legal data: As required by applicable laws and regulations

8. Your Rights and Choices

You have several rights regarding your personal information:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data held on our servers
  • Correction: Update or correct inaccurate account information
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated server-side data
  • Local Control: Delete, export, or manage your locally stored research data directly within the application
  • Portability: Export your research data from the application at any time
  • Restriction: Limit how we process your account information

To exercise these rights regarding server-side data, please contact us through our customer service channels.

9. Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

  • Essential cookies for website functionality
  • Analytics cookies to understand usage patterns
  • Preference cookies to remember your settings

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. The SpanSearch application itself does not use tracking cookies.

10. International Data Transfers

Account and payment information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. AI processing queries are transmitted to third-party providers that may operate internationally. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this privacy policy and applicable data protection laws. Your locally stored research data is not subject to international transfers.

11. GDPR Privacy (For EU Users)

If you are located in the European Union, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
  • Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
  • Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data where there is no legitimate reason to continue processing
  • Right to Restriction: Request that we restrict processing of your personal data
  • Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
  • Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent

We process your personal data under the following legal bases: performance of a contract, compliance with legal obligations, your consent, and our legitimate interests in providing and improving our services.

12. CCPA Privacy (For California Residents)

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

  • Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you
  • Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions
  • Right to Opt-Out: We do not sell your personal information. You have the right to opt out of any future sale
  • Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your CCPA rights

To exercise your CCPA rights, please contact us through our customer service channels.

13. Updates to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website and updating the "Last updated" date. For significant changes, we may also send you a direct notification.