Project Overton — Data Privacy Statement

Version: 1.1 Effective: 2026-05-10 Last updated: 2026-05-17

What we collect and what we do not collect

Article text

When you submit an article for analysis, the text is processed through our analytical and scoring models. The original article text is not stored after analysis. Only our original analytical output is retained, including paraphrased observations, axis scores, mode, engagement, and exhibits consisting of paraphrased passages under 15 words. We do not republish, redistribute, or store the source text.

Analysis results

The scores, observations, and evidence produced by an analysis are stored in our shared analysis cache. These results are measurements, not proprietary content. They are used to serve the same results instantly if the article is analyzed again by any user, to contribute to aggregate data such as outlet profiles and coverage maps, and to improve our scoring calibration over time.

Your account

If you create an account, we store your email address, name, and analysis history. We use your email to deliver product updates if you opted in at signup. We do not sell your email to third parties.

What is private and what is shared

Shared (contributes to calibration)

• Article scores. The five-axis position, mode, and engagement readings for any analyzed article. These are measurements. They enter the shared cache so the same article does not need to be re-analyzed.
• Evidence file scores. The five-axis, three-band scores for any figure or governance record profiled through the system. These calibrate the scoring models.
• Custom profile scores. If you build a custom profile (for example, a local politician), the axis scores from that profile may contribute to calibration. The scores are data points, not proprietary analysis.

Private (never shared without your explicit written consent)

• Your reports. Any narrative analysis, findings, conclusions, or custom framing you produce using the tool. Your reports are stored in your private workspace. No other user, no administrator, and no Project Overton publication will ever access, display, reference, or reproduce your report content without your explicit written permission.
• Your query parameters. What you searched for, which outlets you selected, which date ranges you used, which figures you compared. Your research methodology is your own.
• Your workspace. Your saved projects, custom evidence files, custom anchors, and analysis history. The workspace is private to your account. Institutional workspaces are private to the institution.

The distinction in plain language

Think of it like a library. When you check out a book and write notes in the margins, the book goes back on the shelf (shared data). Your notes stay with you (private report). We return the book. We do not photocopy your notes.

How custom profiles and evidence files work

When you create a custom profile or evidence file: - The scores (five-axis, three-band positions) may be used to improve the calibration library's coverage. Scores are measurements. - The narrative content (your analysis, your evidence selections, your reasoning, your conclusions) is private to your workspace. We do not access it without your permission. - If we wish to promote your custom profile to the public Anchor Library, we will ask for your explicit written consent first. You may decline. The profile remains in your private workspace regardless.

How the shared cache works

Every article analyzed by any user enters a shared cache keyed by canonical URL. This means that if you analyze an article and another user later submits the same article, they receive the cached result. Your identity is never associated with the cached result. The other user does not know you analyzed it first. The cache stores scores and observations, not the original article text. Cached results improve over time as the methodology is refined. Old results retain their version stamps and can be recalibrated.

What we will never do

1. Sell your data. Your email, your analysis history, your reports, and your workspace content are never sold to third parties.
2. Share your reports. Your custom reports, briefings, findings, and conclusions are yours. We will never publish, reference, or display them without your explicit written consent.
3. Store article text. The original text of analyzed articles is not retained after processing. We store only our original analytical output.
4. Expose your research. Your query parameters, comparison selections, and research methodology are private. We do not track or report what our users are researching.
5. Surprise you with costs. Every analysis shows its estimated cost before you run it. The system does not exceed the estimate. Failed analyses do not count against your budget.

Data retention

• Analysis cache. Retained permanently. Scores are measurements that improve with age as the library grows.
• Account data. Retained as long as your account is active. Deleted within 30 days of account closure upon request.
• Reports and workspace. Retained as long as your account is active. Exported or deleted within 30 days of account closure upon request.
• Server logs. Access logs retained for 90 days for security and debugging. No analysis content is stored in logs.

FERPA and institutional use

For educational institutions using Project Overton in classroom settings: - Score Your Own does not collect student data unless the student creates an account. - Score Your Own completion reports are generated client-side and are not stored on our servers unless the student explicitly saves them. - Institutional workspaces can be configured to comply with FERPA requirements. - We do not collect, store, or process student educational records. - Contact info@projectoverton.org for institutional data processing agreements.

Contact

Questions about data privacy: info@projectoverton.org Enterprise and institutional inquiries: info@projectoverton.org

This statement will be updated as the product evolves. Material changes will be communicated to all account holders via email. The current version is always available at projectoverton.org/privacy.