ReachOut is a research tool that helps students discover professors and manage academic outreach. We keep data collection to the minimum needed to run the product.
What we store
When you create an account we store your sign-in details and the profile information you choose to add (such as your field, interests, and resume-derived summary) so we can remember your preferences and tailor recommendations. Outreach you log is saved to your account so you can track it across sessions.
How we use it
Your profile is used only to power discovery and recommendations inside ReachOut. We do not sell your data, and we do not share it with third parties for advertising.
Third-party services
We rely on public academic sources (such as OpenAlex) to surface professor and publication data, and on infrastructure providers to host the app and authenticate you. Their handling of data is governed by their own policies.
Analytics & cookies
We use Google Analytics (GA4) to understand how ReachOut is used so we can improve it. It collects pseudonymous usage data — which pages you view, which features you use, how long a session lasts, your approximate location, and your device and browser type — using cookies and similar identifiers. We do not use this data for ad personalization, and we do not sell it. Google's handling of that data is governed by the Google Privacy Policy. You can opt out of Google Analytics on any site by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on, or by blocking cookies in your browser settings.
Gmail
If you choose to connect Gmail, ReachOut requests only the Google permission to send email on your behalf (gmail.send). It is used solely to send messages you compose, when you click Send. ReachOut cannot read, modify, or delete anything in your mailbox. The Google access token stays in your browser for the current session and is never stored on our servers; the only thing saved to your account is the outreach record you already track (recipient, subject, and Gmail message id). You can revoke ReachOut's access at any time from your Google Account permissions. ReachOut's use and transfer to any other app of information received from Google APIs will adhere to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.
This is a lightweight project; if you have questions about your data or want it removed, contact us at gladwyn504@gmail.com or 925-915-5548.