Last updated: 26 October 2026. This policy describes the current AcademicFlow application for Mac, iPad and iPhone. AcademicFlow is provided by TES MED LINK GmbH, Viktoriastraße 3B, 86150 Augsburg, Germany. For privacy questions, contact tesmedlink@gmail.com. It is separate from the privacy policies of our other applications.
AcademicFlow does not require a developer-hosted account. Profile details you enter, projects, reference records, PDFs, annotations, research notes, literature matrices, tasks, meetings and writing content are processed on your device and saved in your local workspace or an iCloud Drive folder you select. Preferences and folder-access permissions are stored on your device. These functions let you organise, analyse and write about your research. TES MED LINK does not receive or host your workspace through normal app use.
Quantitative data is read and analysed on your device. Imported datasets and calculated results are held in the working session unless you explicitly save or export information; analysis settings are not a complete copy of your raw data and results. Qualitative projects can contain extracted document text, codes, themes, selected quotations, case information, research notes and your interpretations. Saving a qualitative project writes this information to the file you choose. Optional automatic saving writes later changes to the selected project file after you enable it. Analysis and writing tools do not upload your research to an AI service.
If you choose an iCloud Drive folder, Apple transfers and stores files under your Apple Account and iCloud settings. Files in a shared folder may be accessible to the people with whom that folder is shared. AcademicFlow does not create sharing invitations. You can choose local storage instead. Existing cloud copies, backups and shared copies must be managed separately; switching to local mode does not erase them. Apple operates its services under its own privacy terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/. Storage locations, transfers, retention and security for those services depend on Apple and your settings.
To retrieve bibliographic information, AcademicFlow sends a DOI to Crossref and, if the record is not found there, to DataCite. Lookup can start automatically when a single DOI is detected during PDF import, or when you request metadata lookup. These services receive the DOI, your IP address and standard network-request information. A DOI can reveal which publication you are consulting. Your PDF, document text, private annotations and profile are not included in the lookup request. You may cancel an active lookup and enter bibliographic details manually; internet access is not needed for manual entry. The providers manage their own request logs and retention. Opening publication, help, App Store or other external links lets the destination service process connection information under its own policy. DataCite policy: https://datacite.org/privacy-policy/. Crossref privacy information: https://www.crossref.org/privacy/.
Imported PDFs may be copied into your workspace. Imports can also create temporary files; normal cleanup occurs when the import form closes, but an interrupted session may leave temporary copies until system cleanup. Backups, saved projects and exported Word, PDF, HTML or CSV files can include personal or confidential information, selected quotations, source details and research notes. Exported files and project JSON files are not encrypted by AcademicFlow. Review and de-identify them before sharing. Files saved to a cloud or shared destination follow that destination’s rules. If you enable reminders and grant notification permission, task or meeting details may appear in local notifications, including on your lock screen according to your system settings. You can revoke notification permission in system settings.
The current application has no advertising or third-party analytics SDK and does not sell research data or use it for advertising profiles. It does not send research content to OpenAI, Supabase or another developer-operated AI backend. It does not make decisions about people’s eligibility or rights on our behalf. Apple may separately process platform diagnostics according to your device and Apple privacy settings.
You control the research files stored on your devices and in locations you choose. They remain until you delete them or their storage provider removes them. Clearing an analysis session or closing the app does not delete its original source file. The app’s local-workspace deletion control applies to the active local workspace; it does not erase separate exports, backups or copies on other devices. Manage iCloud files through Finder or Files; deleting cloud files may affect other synced devices. Uninstalling the app is not a reliable way to remove all separately stored files. We cannot remotely retrieve or erase research files we do not hold. Protect your device, Apple Account and storage permissions. The app does not promise secure physical erasure or additional end-to-end encryption for exported files.
If you email us, we receive your email address, message and any attachments through our email provider. We use these to respond to your request and resolve the issue, based on our legitimate interest in providing support; where necessary to provide a requested contractual service, processing is based on that service, and legal obligations may require retention. We retain correspondence only as needed to address the request, handle follow-up or satisfy applicable legal obligations, then delete it. Do not send participant records, confidential research files, passwords or payment details. Our email provider may process messages outside your country under its applicable transfer arrangements. Where applicable, you may request access, correction, deletion, restriction or portability of personal data we hold, object to processing based on legitimate interests, and withdraw consent for processing based on consent without affecting prior lawful processing. Contact tesmedlink@gmail.com. You may also complain to your competent data-protection authority. Local research files can be managed directly in the app and your file-storage tools.
You decide what information to import and must have the appropriate authority to process it. Use de-identified research materials where possible and follow your institution’s consent and research-data requirements. AcademicFlow is a research tool and is not directed at children. If you believe a child has sent personal information to us, contact us so that we can address it.
We will publish changes on this page and update the date when the application’s practices change. This notice describes the application; visiting this Google Sites-hosted website also involves Google’s website services and privacy practices: https://policies.google.com/privacy. Contact: TES MED LINK GmbH, Viktoriastraße 3B, 86150 Augsburg, Germany — tesmedlink@gmail.com.