Privacy Policy

1. Information you enter into the citation generator

Depending on how you use the generator, you may enter or import:

• DOI
• ISBN
• PMID or PubMed URL
• webpage URL
• source title or keywords
• manually entered bibliographic metadata
• BibTeX
• RIS
• PDF files used for DOI detection
• citation-specific page or other locator information

Do not upload or enter confidential, personal, restricted, or sensitive information unless you are authorized to process it.

2. Source lookup requests

The generator uses the WordPress server to perform metadata lookups.

Depending on the input, the server may send source-identification information to:

• Crossref for DOI and scholarly-title metadata;
• Google Books for ISBN/book metadata;
• PubMed / NCBI for PMID/PubMed metadata;
• the webpage URL you submit when retrieving webpage metadata.

The exact source query you enter may therefore be included in requests sent to the relevant provider.

Those providers operate under their own privacy policies and terms.

3. Webpage retrieval

If you submit a webpage URL, the server may request that URL to retrieve publicly available page metadata.

The destination website can ordinarily receive technical information associated with a server request, such as the requesting IP address and HTTP headers.

Do not use the URL lookup feature to probe private systems, authenticated pages, internal networks, or content you are not authorized to access.

4. Local source library

The current generator stores saved source-project data in your browser using localStorage.

This may include bibliographic source records you add to your local bibliography/reference-list project.

Local browser storage is different from a user account stored in a website database.

Your locally saved sources may be lost if you:

• clear browser/site data;
• use private/incognito browsing;
• switch browsers;
• switch devices;
• remove the browser profile.

The current plugin does not provide account-based synchronization.

5. PDF processing

The current PDF workflow is designed to identify a DOI in the PDF when possible and then perform normal metadata lookup.

PDF import is used only for citation-related lookup and processing. Do not upload confidential or sensitive documents.

Do not upload confidential PDFs.

6. Contact form information

If you contact the site, information may include:

• your name;
• email address;
• message;
• technical details you choose to provide;
• privacy/correction request.

Contact-form submissions are sent to the site operator and may be retained only as long as reasonably necessary to answer the request, maintain appropriate records, prevent abuse, or meet legal obligations.

7. Server logs

The hosting provider may generate routine technical logs containing information such as:

• IP address;
• browser/user agent;
• requested URL;
• date/time;
• response/error information.

Hosting and security providers may retain technical logs under their own operational and security schedules, with access limited to authorised personnel.

8. Cookies and analytics

ChicagoReferenceGenerator.com may use essential cookies or similar storage required for WordPress, security, caching, forms, and basic site operation.

If optional analytics, advertising, embedded media, or consent tools are introduced, this policy and any applicable consent notice will be updated. You can restrict cookies through browser settings, although essential features may be affected.

9. Third-party services

The generator may interact with third-party metadata providers. The production website may also rely on hosting, security, email, analytics, or other providers.

Third-party services process data under their own policies.

Links to third-party websites are provided for convenience and verification; their privacy practices are outside the direct control of ChicagoReferenceGenerator.com.

10. Data retention

Browser-local source records remain until removed by you or cleared by the browser.

For server logs, contact submissions, backups, analytics, and security data:

Server logs, contact submissions, backups, analytics, and security records are retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for their operational, security, support, and legal purposes. Actual periods may vary by record type and provider.

11. Legal bases and regional rights

The website serves a primarily US audience but may be accessed internationally.

Depending on where the site operator and visitor are located, privacy laws may provide rights regarding access, correction, deletion, objection, portability, or other processing.

The site operator will respond to valid privacy requests as required by applicable law. Available rights and the legal basis for processing depend on your location and the nature of the processing.

12. Children

ChicagoReferenceGenerator.com is an academic citation utility and is not designed as a service specifically directed to young children.

If you believe a child has provided personal information through the site, contact the operator so the information can be reviewed and, where appropriate, deleted.

13. Security

Reasonable technical and organizational measures should be used to protect the production website.

No website or transmission method can guarantee absolute security.

Do not send passwords or sensitive personal data through citation fields or the contact form.

14. Your choices

You can:

• avoid saving sources in the local source library;
• clear local site data in your browser;
• avoid submitting optional contact information;
• use manual citation guidance without using automated metadata lookup;
• contact the site regarding a privacy request.

15. Changes to this policy

This Privacy Policy should be updated when the site’s data practices materially change.

A “last reviewed” date should reflect an actual review.

16. Contact

Use the Contact page for privacy questions.

Privacy questions and requests can be sent to Muzammal Amin, the website author and operator, through the Contact page.

Related pages

• Methodology
• Editorial Policy
• Terms
• Disclaimer