Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Wiki Surfer ("we", "us") handles information when you use this website (the "Service"). Wiki Surfer is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Wikimedia Foundation or Wikipedia.
Information we collect
Wiki Surfer does not require an account and does not ask for your name, email address, or other directly identifying information. To power its recommendations, the Service collects and stores pseudonymous usage data, including:
- A random session identifier generated in your browser (it is not linked to your real-world identity);
- The articles you view, and how you reached them;
- Engagement signals such as dwell time, scroll depth, and links you click;
- Derived preference data (topic "taste vectors" and recommendation state);
- Basic technical data such as your browser's user-agent string.
Where your data is stored
Most of this data is stored locally in your browser using localStorage.
Interaction events are also sent to our server to generate recommendations and to
improve the Service. You can export or clear your local session data at any time
using the in-app "Export session" and "Reset session" controls; clearing your
browser storage removes the local copy.
How we use the data
We use this data solely to operate and improve the Service — to generate personalized article recommendations, understand aggregate usage patterns, and debug and maintain the site. We do not sell your data or use it for third-party advertising.
Content from Wikipedia
Article content is fetched directly from Wikipedia's public APIs by your browser. As a result, requests for article content go to the Wikimedia Foundation's servers, and their handling of that data is governed by the Wikimedia Foundation Privacy Policy, not this one.
Cookies
Wiki Surfer does not use tracking or advertising cookies. It relies on browser storage (described above) for core functionality only.
Data retention
Interaction data sent to our server is retained for as long as necessary to operate, maintain, and improve the Service. Because this data is pseudonymous and is not linked to your identity, we may retain it for the life of the Service, including in aggregate or model form. Local browser data persists until you clear it.
Your rights
Depending on your location (for example, under the GDPR or CCPA/CPRA), you may have rights to access, correct, or delete data associated with you. Because our server data is pseudonymous and not tied to your identity, our ability to locate it may be limited without your session identifier. To make a request, contact us at [contact email — to be added].
Children
The Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect data from them.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Last updated" date above.
Contact
Questions about this policy? Contact [contact email — to be added]. This Service is operated from Illinois, United States.
← Back to Wiki Surfer