Privacy Policy for Citatio

Data Collection and Transmission

This extension extracts metadata from web pages you visit, including titles, authors, publication dates, and publishers. This metadata extraction occurs locally in your browser and does not transmit any data to external servers. All extracted information is stored locally using Firefox Sync storage, which means your citation data remains on your devices and syncs only if you are signed into Firefox Sync.

Optional Enhanced Academic Mode

When Enhanced Academic Mode is enabled in the extension settings, the extension may transmit Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to the CrossRef API service at api.crossref.org. This feature is opt-in and disabled by default. When enabled, only the DOI identifier is sent to CrossRef to retrieve academic paper metadata. No other personal information, browsing history, or citation data is transmitted. You can disable this feature at any time in the extension settings.

Data Storage

All citations, research sessions, and extension settings are stored locally in your browser using browser.storage.sync. This data syncs across your Firefox devices only if you are signed into Firefox Sync. The extension does not maintain any external servers or databases. You retain full control over your data and can export or delete all stored information at any time through the extension's Settings panel.

Permissions Usage

The extension requires host permissions to access web page content for metadata extraction. This permission is necessary to read publicly available information from web pages you visit. The extension does not modify web page content or inject scripts beyond what is necessary for metadata extraction. Storage permissions are used solely for local data persistence. Clipboard permissions are used only when you explicitly choose to copy citations to your clipboard.

Third-Party Services

The only third-party service used by this extension is the CrossRef API, and only when Enhanced Academic Mode is explicitly enabled by you. CrossRef is a non-profit organization that provides academic metadata services. Their privacy practices are governed by their own privacy policy at crossref.org. The extension sends only DOI identifiers to CrossRef and receives citation metadata in return.

No Tracking or Analytics

This extension does not collect, transmit, or store any analytics data, usage statistics, or tracking information. The extension operates entirely offline by default, with the exception of the optional CrossRef API integration when explicitly enabled.

Data Control

You can export all your citation data at any time through the Export panel in the extension. You can delete individual citations, entire research sessions, or all data through the Settings panel. Disabling or uninstalling the extension does not automatically delete stored data, but you can manually clear all data before uninstalling if desired.

Last Updated: January 2025