sideproof is an evidence layer for the web: a website (sideproof.sh) and a browser extension. This policy explains what each one collects, what it does not, and the choices you have. The short version is on the site itself, and it holds here too: claim detection runs in your browser, only the claim you click is sent for checking, and we never sell your data.
What actually leaves your browser
On the website: standard analytics about your visit (pages, device, approximate location), collected through Google Analytics.
In the extension: nothing, until you click a highlighted claim. At that point the specific sentence you clicked, and optionally a short bit of surrounding text, is sent to our server to gather sources. Your browsing history, the pages you read, and your identity are not collected or sent.
1. Who we are
"sideproof", "we", "us" refers to the operators of sideproof.sh and the sideproof browser extension. If you have any question about this policy or your data, contact us at privacy@sideproof.sh.
2. The website
When you visit sideproof.sh we use the following Google services:
- Google Analytics. This places cookies and collects usage data such as the pages you view, referring links, your browser and device type, and an approximate, IP-derived location. We use it only to understand how many people visit and how the site is used. We ask Google to anonymise IP addresses where that option is available. Google processes this data under its own terms; see Google's Privacy Policy and how Google uses data from sites that use its services.
- Google Search Console. This is a tool that reports to us, in aggregate, how the site appears in Google Search (for example which search terms led people here). It does not place cookies in your browser and does not identify individual visitors; the data comes to us from Google in summarised form.
- Server and hosting logs. Like most websites, our host records standard request logs (IP address, date and time, the page requested, and your browser's user-agent string) for security and reliability. These are kept for a short period and not used to build profiles of you.
3. The browser extension
The extension is built so that the page you are reading stays on your device. Here is exactly how it works:
- Detection is local. Finding which sentences look like checkable claims happens entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent while you simply read a page.
- Only what you click is checked. When you click a highlighted claim, the extension sends that sentence, and optionally a short snippet of the surrounding text, to our server (api.sideproof.sh) so it can search for sources and assess the claim. You can turn the surrounding-text part off in the extension's settings, so that only the single sentence is ever sent.
- Third parties that process a claim. To produce a result, our server passes the claim text to a third-party AI language-model provider and a third-party web-search provider. They process the claim text to return an answer and sources. They do not receive your identity or your browsing history.
- Caching. A checked claim and its result may be stored on our server so that the same claim can be answered faster next time. This cache is keyed to the claim text, not to you.
- Your settings stay local. Preferences such as whether highlighting is on, which sites you have switched it off for, the server address, and the surrounding-text choice are stored in your browser's local extension storage. They are not sent to us.
- No accounts, no selling. The extension does not require an account, does not track you across sites, and we do not sell or rent your data to anyone.
4. Cookies
The website uses cookies set by Google Analytics for the measurement described above. The browser extension does not use cookies; it stores your settings in local extension storage on your own device. You can clear analytics cookies through your browser, and you can remove all extension data by removing the extension.
5. How we share data
We do not sell your personal data. We share data only with the service providers needed to run sideproof: our website host, Google (for the analytics described above), and the AI language-model and web-search providers that process a clicked claim. Each handles data under its own terms. We may also disclose information if required by law.
6. Data retention
Analytics data is retained according to Google Analytics' retention settings. Server logs are kept briefly for security and then rotated out. Cached claim results are kept to keep the service fast and may be cleared at any time. Because the extension does not tie data to an identity, there is no profile of you to retain.
7. Your choices and rights
- Turn off the surrounding-text option in the extension settings so that only the single sentence you click is sent.
- Switch the extension off entirely, or per site, from its popup or options page.
- Opt out of Google Analytics using the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on or your browser's cookie controls.
- Remove the extension to delete all of its local data.
- Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access or delete personal data. Contact us at privacy@sideproof.sh and we will help.
8. Chrome Web Store limited use
Our use and transfer of information received from the browser extension adheres to the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including its Limited Use requirements. Page content is used solely to provide the fact-checking feature you trigger, and is not used for advertising or sold to third parties.
9. Children
sideproof is a general-audience tool and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the product evolves. When we do, we will change the "last updated" date at the top of this page. Significant changes will be reflected here before they take effect.
11. Contact
Questions about privacy or your data? Email privacy@sideproof.sh.