scamdetect-extension

ScamDetect Chrome Extension – Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 08, 2025

1. Overview

ScamDetect is a Chrome extension designed to help users identify and be cautious about potentially scam-like or phishing content on the X.com (formerly Twitter) platform. This tool is developed as part of an academic research project and aims to enhance public awareness about online scams using AI-assisted detection methods.

2. Information We Collect

ScamDetect does not collect:

Your name, email, or other personal identity data
IP address, device information, or location
Web history or browsing activity outside of X.com
Messages, DMs, or any non-public content

ScamDetect only processes:

Publicly visible tweet content displayed in your browser
User interaction with the extension (thumbs up/down feedback)
A randomly generated, anonymous user_id stored locally in your browser
A pseudo tweet_id derived from the tweet text

3. How We Use This Information

The data is used strictly to:

Analyze public tweet content for scam-like signals
Log anonymous feedback to improve detection accuracy
Support academic research on online misinformation

We do not sell, share, or transfer user data. All information is securely transmitted to https://citizenhelper.orc.gmu.edu and used only for research purposes.

5. Cookies and Tracking

ScamDetect does not use cookies or any third-party trackers. The extension runs locally in your browser.

6. User Control and Opt-Out

You can uninstall the extension at any time. To reset your anonymous user_id, simply clear your local storage for the extension.

7. Changes to This Policy

This policy may be updated in the future. Please check the “Effective Date” for the most recent version.

8. Contact

For questions or concerns, please contact:

Ramya Sreekanta Nayaka
IST Department, George Mason University
rnayaka@gmu.edu