Manual citation content stays local
Fields entered in the manual form and bibliography entries are processed in your browser. If you use Smart Lookup, the DOI or article-title query is sent through our service to Crossref so publication metadata can be retrieved.
1. Scope and who we are
This Privacy Policy applies to citation-generator.app and the CiteLab ACS Citation Generator. In this policy, “CiteLab,” “we,” and “our” refer to the operator of this independent citation tool.
CiteLab is the service operator and data controller for the limited processing described in this policy. For privacy questions or requests, contact support@citation-generator.app.
2. Citation data you enter
Fields entered or edited in the manual citation form are processed locally in your browser to produce formatted references. Bibliography entries are held only in the current page session. We do not currently provide accounts, cloud synchronization, or server-side bibliography storage.
Smart Lookup is optional. When you submit a DOI or article-title query, it is sent through our hosting infrastructure to the Crossref metadata service. Crossref returns candidate publication metadata, and the record you choose is added to the editable form in your browser. Our analytics events record only the lookup type, outcome, and result count—not the query or returned citation metadata.
When you copy a citation or download a bibliography, your browser and device perform that action. The resulting clipboard content or file is controlled by your device and the applications you choose to use.
3. Technical data
Like most websites, our hosting and security infrastructure may process limited technical information needed to deliver and protect the service. This can include an IP address, browser and device type, requested URL, timestamps, and security or error information.
We use this information only to provide the site, maintain reliability, prevent abuse, and investigate technical problems. We do not use citation content for advertising or user profiling.
5. Service providers and external resources
We may rely on hosting, content-delivery, and security providers, including Cloudflare, to make the website available. Those providers may process technical request data under their own privacy terms and our applicable service arrangements.
Smart Lookup uses Crossref to search and retrieve scholarly publication metadata. Crossref receives the DOI or article-title query and technical request information under its own terms and privacy practices. Cloudflare may temporarily cache metadata responses to improve reliability and reduce repeated requests.
The site loads font files through Google Fonts. When those files are requested, Google may receive technical request information such as your IP address and browser details. We also use Google Analytics 4 to measure site usage. Google processes that analytics data under its applicable terms and privacy documentation. Links to ACS publications and other third-party websites are optional; their privacy practices apply after you follow those links.
6. Purposes and legal bases
Where data-protection law requires a legal basis, we process limited technical data as necessary to provide the service you request and for our legitimate interests in operating, securing, and improving the website. We do not sell personal information or use it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
- Deliver the requested pages and citation tool.
- Protect the service against fraud, abuse, and security threats.
- Diagnose failures and maintain performance and availability.
- With your consent, understand aggregate site usage and improve the tool.
- Comply with applicable legal obligations.
7. Retention and security
CiteLab does not retain fields entered in the manual form or bibliography entries. Smart Lookup requests and metadata responses may appear temporarily in infrastructure logs or caches. Infrastructure logs and analytics data are retained only as long as reasonably needed for security, reliability, troubleshooting, service improvement, or legal obligations, subject to our provider settings and policies.
We use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards, but no internet service can guarantee absolute security. You should avoid entering confidential or restricted information that is not necessary to create a citation.
8. Your privacy rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, or objection regarding personal data we process. You may also have the right to complain to a local data-protection authority.
Because manual citation content is not transmitted to us and lookup requests are not associated with an account, we generally cannot retrieve citation content for you. For requests concerning technical data, email support@citation-generator.app and provide enough information for us to evaluate the request without sending unnecessary sensitive information.
9. International use and children
Our providers may process technical data in countries other than your own. Where required, transfers are handled using appropriate legal safeguards.
CiteLab is a general educational utility and is not directed specifically to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect account information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, contact us so we can review the situation.
10. Changes and contact
We may update this policy when the service, providers, or legal requirements change. The effective date at the top of this page identifies the current version. Material changes will be presented through an appropriate notice on the website.
Privacy questions and requests can be sent to support@citation-generator.app.