Introduction

Research Bites ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our website, mobile applications, and services (collectively, the "Services"). This policy applies to all users of our AI-powered academic research tools and platforms.

By using our Services, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our Services.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Create an account or register for our Services
• Subscribe to our newsletter or marketing communications
• Contact us for customer support
• Participate in surveys, contests, or promotions
• Upload documents or content to our platform

This information may include your name, email address, phone number, institutional affiliation, payment information, and any other information you choose to provide.

Usage Information

We automatically collect certain information about your use of our Services, including:

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Usage patterns and preferences
• Pages visited and time spent on our platform
• Search queries and interactions with our AI tools
• Error logs and performance data

Content and Documents

When you use our AI-powered tools, we may process and temporarily store the content you upload, including research papers, documents, and other academic materials. This content is processed to provide our Services and is handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Service Provision: To provide, maintain, and improve our Services
• Account Management: To create and manage your account
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Personalization: To customize your experience and provide relevant content
• Analytics: To analyze usage patterns and improve our platform
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations
• AI Model Improvement: To train and improve our AI models (using aggregated, anonymized data only)

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our Services, such as cloud hosting providers, payment processors, and analytics services. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or the public.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control of your personal information.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments and audits
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Employee training on data protection practices
• Incident response procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our Services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Specific retention periods include:

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after account closure
• Usage Data: Typically retained for up to 2 years for analytics purposes
• Uploaded Content: Processed temporarily and deleted within 30 days unless saved to your account
• Communication Records: Retained for up to 3 years for customer service purposes

Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@researchbites.com.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our Services. These technologies help us:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
• Provide personalized content and recommendations
• Improve our Services and user experience

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our Services.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and implement appropriate safeguards to protect your information, including standard contractual clauses and adequacy decisions.

Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our Services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Regulatory Compliance

We are committed to complying with applicable data protection laws and regulations, including:

• GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation (European Union)
• CCPA/CPRA: California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act
• PIPEDA: Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada)
• Other applicable regional and national privacy laws

If you are a resident of the European Union, California, or other jurisdictions with specific privacy rights, additional protections may apply to you under applicable law.