LINC is a research prototype from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. This notice explains, in plain terms, what happens to information when you use it. The short version: do not type anything that identifies you or a client, and most of what you save stays on your own device.

Please do not enter identifying details. Do not type names, dates of birth, identification, case, or A-numbers, addresses, or other information that could identify you or another person into the assistant.

The AI assistant (chat)

When you send a message to the assistant, the text is sent to a third-party AI provider (Anthropic) to generate a reply, and, if you add a photo of a document, the image is sent as well. This is needed to produce an answer. We do not store your conversations on our servers. Your chat history is kept only in your browser on your device, and the "Clear chat" button removes it.

Voice

If you use voice input or listen to a reply, the audio or text is sent to a speech provider (Google) to transcribe or read it aloud. It is used only to provide that feature.

Feedback you choose to send

If you use a feedback or "something wrong?" option, what you send is stored so the team can improve the tool as part of the research. Please do not include identifying details in feedback.

Saved on your device only

Your plan and checklist, your visit details, notes you save from the assistant, and your chat history are stored in your browser's local storage on your device. They are not sent to or kept on our servers, and clearing your browser data removes them.

Basic technical information

Like most websites, the service and its hosting provider may process basic technical data such as a temporary error signal or an approximate request origin to keep the service working and to detect abuse.

How information is used, and sharing

Information is used to operate LINC and, in a research context, to improve it. We do not sell your information. The third parties named above (the AI provider, the speech provider, and the host) process data only to provide their part of the service, under their own terms.

Research use

LINC is a university research project. Any use of information for research follows the applicable Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements. This draft will be updated to reflect the approved plan.

Your choices

You can avoid entering identifying information, clear your on-device data at any time (the "Clear chat" button, or clearing your browser data), and contact us with questions.

Children

LINC is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 13.

Changes and contact

This draft may change. Questions can go to nariyoo@umich.edu. See also the Terms of Use.