Privacy

Last updated: August 30, 2026.

What the Commons accesses

The Commons uses Google authorization to work with the project folder selected by its administrator. Its software restricts Drive operations to that folder and its descendants. It does not intentionally browse or index unrelated files in the authorizing account.

What the Commons stores

The system stores source identifiers, file metadata, searchable copies of eligible research text, provenance records, contribution history, and authorization credentials needed for the connection. Research materials remain governed by the Commons access roles and publication rules.

How the information is used

Drive data is used to support private research collaboration, source intake, search, attribution, document editing, and project archiving. The Commons does not sell Google user data or use it for advertising.

Sharing and publication

Team access is not public release. Materials are shared with authorized collaborators and infrastructure providers only as needed to operate the Commons. Public publication is a separate, deliberate action.

Security and control

Access is protected by named membership, role checks, folder-bound validation, encrypted transport, and platform secret storage. The authorizing user can revoke Google access at any time through their Google Account security settings.

Questions or deletion requests

Contact wyatt.abr@gmail.com to ask about access, correction, export, removal, or authorization revocation.