CiteLine Privacy Policy

Effective date: 1/25/2026
Last updated: 1/25/2026
Contact: citeline@substack.com

This Privacy Policy explains how CiteLine (the “Publication,” “we,” “us”) handles personal information in connection with our Substack publication and related communications.

1) Scope

This policy covers personal information we receive or collect as a publisher when you subscribe to, read, comment on, or contact CiteLine.

2) How this relates to Substack

CiteLine is published on Substack. Substack processes personal information in two main ways:

• Substack as a data controller: Substack’s Privacy Policy describes how Substack uses personal information for its own purposes.

• Substack as a data processor for publishers: Substack says that, for publishers, it generally acts as a data processor while the publisher is the data controller for its audience.

This policy describes CiteLine’s privacy practices as a publisher. Substack’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use also apply to your use of the Substack platform.

3) Information we collect and receive

A. Information we receive from Substack (subscriber and reader data)
When you subscribe or follow CiteLine on Substack, we may receive information that Substack makes available to publishers about their audience. This typically includes your email address and subscription status, and may include other account details you choose to provide on Substack.

B. Information you provide directly to us
If you contact us (for example, by replying to an email, sending a tip, or reaching out for support), we receive whatever information you include, such as your name, email address, and message content.

C. Comments and community content
If you comment or participate in community features, we can view the content you post and associated account identifiers.

D. Technical and usage information
Substack collects device and usage information (for example IP address, device or browser information) and uses cookies as described in Substack’s Privacy Policy.

4) How we use personal information

We use personal information to:

• Deliver newsletters and posts to you.

• Manage subscriptions and audience communications.

• Respond to messages, tips, and support requests.

• Moderate comments and protect the integrity and safety of the community.

• Maintain records needed for security, fraud prevention, and legal compliance.

5) How we share personal information

We share personal information only in limited ways:

• With Substack and its service providers as necessary to operate the publication (including delivery, subscriptions, and platform functions), consistent with Substack’s policies.

• For legal and safety reasons if we believe disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect rights, safety, or the integrity of the publication.

Publisher promise: CiteLine does not sell, rent, trade, or license your personal information, and we will never do so. CiteLine also does not use your personal information for targeted advertising, profiling, or data brokerage. We use subscriber information only to operate CiteLine, deliver posts, respond to messages, and moderate the community as described in Section 4.

6) Transparency about AI tools

We use a sophisticated, custom-made GPT to help with research, citations, and editing checks. We do not use it to write our articles.

As a privacy practice, we will NEVER intentionally input subscriber personal information into our AI tools. If you send sensitive personal information in a message or tip, we handle it as a lead and practise the highest level of secrecy available to CiteLine.

7) Your choices and privacy rights

Managing subscriptions and account information
Most subscription and account controls are available through your Substack account settings.

Requests to CiteLine
If you want to access, correct, or delete information we hold outside of Substack (for example, an email you sent us directly), contact us at mischaballard@gmail.com. We will respond consistent with applicable law.

Requests to Substack
For information Substack controls or processes for its own purposes, use Substack’s privacy contact channels.

8) Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described above, unless a longer retention period is required by law or needed for safety, fraud prevention, or legitimate recordkeeping.

9) Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10) Children

CiteLine is not intended for children. Substack’s Terms restrict platform use by users under 16.

11) Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will update the “Last updated” date when we do.

12) Contact

Questions or requests about this policy: citeline@substack.com