Privacy Policy
Cite Check. Last updated October 8, 2026.
Cite Check ("the extension") checks whether cited sources exist by looking them up in public citation databases. We do not run servers, we do not use analytics or tracking, and we never sell data. We never receive the text you check.
What the extension reads
Only text you give it: text you paste into its panel, or text you select on a page and send with "Check citations" (right-click menu or keyboard shortcut). When you do, it reads that selection from the page you are on, once. It does not read pages on its own.
What the extension sends
To check a citation, it sends that citation (its identifier, or its title, first author and year) to the public database that can answer: Crossref, DataCite, OpenAlex, arXiv, PubMed (NCBI), Open Library and, for US court cases if you add your own token, CourtListener. Those services handle requests under their own policies. If you turn on link checks, it loads each cited link to see whether the page exists. The rest of your text is never sent anywhere.
What the extension stores
Your last check and its results, results for up to 7 days (so re-checking is instant), how many checks you've used today, your settings (including any CourtListener token or OpenAlex key you add), and whether you have Pro. All of it is kept in your browser's extension storage on this computer. It is not synced and never sent to us. "Clear saved results" in Settings, or removing the extension, deletes it.
Payments
Pro is sold through ExtensionPay, with payments processed by Stripe on their own pages. They collect your email and payment details to process the purchase; the extension never sees your card details.
Sharing
We do not sell, rent or share any data, and we do not use it for advertising.
Chrome Web Store Limited Use
The use of information received will adhere to the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.
Children
The extension is not directed at children under 13.
Changes
If this policy changes, the new version will be posted on this page with a new date.
Contact
Questions: support@otterpotter.org