Short version: SmarterBook does not collect your personal information. Your study data stays on your device. The only data that ever leaves your device is your license key and an anonymous installation ID — sent to verify your purchase. We do not sell, share, or profile your data in any way.
1. Introduction
SmarterBook ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, how long we retain it, and your rights regarding your data. It applies to the SmarterBook browser extension and our associated website (smarterbook.online).
By using SmarterBook, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
2. Data We Collect
We collect the absolute minimum data necessary to operate the licensing system.
✓ What we DO collect
A randomly generated, anonymous installation ID (UUID) — generated locally on your device on first install, with no connection to your real identity
Your license key (the activation code you purchased)
Activation timestamp, license tier (Starter / Pro / Elite), and license expiry date
A record of which anonymous UID claimed which key (to prevent key sharing)
✗ What we do NOT collect
Your name, email address, or any contact information
Your school, university, or institution
Your McGraw Hill login credentials or student information
The content of any assignments, courses, or questions
Your IP address for identification purposes
Browser history, cookies, or browsing data outside of learning.mheducation.com
3. How We Use Your Data
The anonymous installation ID is used exclusively to:
Enforce the one-device-per-key licensing rule, preventing key sharing
Enable license renewal time-stacking and tier upgrades to work correctly across sessions
Allow you to reactivate your license on the same device without losing remaining time
We do not use your data for advertising, marketing, analytics profiling, or any other commercial purpose beyond operating the license system.
4. How Our AI System Works (Server-Side)
SmarterBook's AI answer features operate through our own private API server, not directly from your browser. When you use the bot:
The question text from your McGraw Hill module is sent to our server via an encrypted HTTPS connection
Our server calls the Google Gemini AI API on your behalf and returns the answer to the extension
Your license credentials are verified server-side on every request
No personally identifying information is included in any AI API call — only the question text and your anonymous license tier
This architecture means your API key is never exposed in the extension and that all AI logic remains server-side.
5. Hive-Mind Database (Elite Tier)
Elite-tier users contribute to and benefit from a shared answer cache. This works as follows:
When an Elite user answers a question, a one-way cryptographic hash (djb2) of the question text is computed locally on your device
The hash and the answer array are sent to our Firestore database
No question text is stored — only the hash. A hash cannot be reverse-engineered to recover the original question.
No user identifier is attached to individual answer contributions
This data is used solely to return cached answers to other Elite users who encounter the same question hash.
6. Local Storage
All user settings — including enabled features, speed settings, optional webhook URL, and the local answer vault — are stored in chrome.storage.local on your own device. This data never leaves your device unless you explicitly configure a Discord or Telegram webhook URL, in which case progress notifications are sent to that URL per your own configuration.
7. Third-Party Services
Firebase / Google Cloud (Firestore): Used to store license records and the Hive-Mind answer cache. Firebase Privacy Policy
Google Gemini API: Used for AI answer generation. Only question text is transmitted. Google Privacy Policy
SellAuth: Used as our payment processor and storefront. SellAuth's privacy policy governs all payment-related data. We do not store or process payment card information.
We do not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise share your data with any third parties beyond the above service providers, and only to the minimum extent necessary for operation.
8. Cookies & Tracking
The SmarterBook extension does not use tracking cookies of any kind. Our website (smarterbook.online) may use essential session cookies required by the SellAuth platform for the shopping cart and customer dashboard. No third-party advertising or tracking cookies are used.
9. Data Retention
License records (anonymous UID, key, tier, expiry): Retained for the duration of the license period plus 30 days after expiry, then purged
Hive-Mind answer cache: Retained indefinitely as it contains no personal data
Anonymous UIDs with no active license: Purged periodically (approximately every 60 days)
10. Data Security
All communication between the extension and our API server uses HTTPS/TLS encryption. License verification happens server-side, keeping sensitive logic off user devices. We take commercially reasonable precautions to protect your data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
11. Children's Privacy
SmarterBook is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with information, please contact us via Discord and we will delete it promptly.
12. Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:
Request confirmation of whether we hold any data associated with your anonymous UID
Request deletion of your license record (note: this will deactivate your license)
Object to or restrict certain processing
To exercise any of these rights, contact us via Discord at discord.gg/R9j6mDNHC4 with your anonymous UID (visible in the extension's settings panel).
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. Material changes will also be announced in our Discord server. Continued use of SmarterBook after a policy update constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
14. Contact
For privacy-related questions or data requests, reach us on Discord: