last updated: january 19, 2026
tl;dr: we collect anonymous responses only. no accounts, no emails, no personal data, no IP addresses stored.
when you submit a response, we collect:
that's it. nothing else.
we use browser local storage to remember if you've already submitted a response (24-hour cooldown). this data stays on your device and is not sent to our servers.
we do not use tracking cookies or third-party analytics.
aggregated anonymous responses are used to:
anonymous responses are stored indefinitely for research purposes. since responses contain no personal information, there is nothing to delete on an individual basis.
this site contains links to external websites:
these external sites have their own privacy policies. we are not responsible for their content or data practices. clicking these links is your choice.
for EU residents (GDPR): we do not process personal data. your anonymous response cannot identify you, so traditional GDPR rights (access, rectification, erasure, portability) do not apply. no consent is required because no personal data is collected.
for California residents (CCPA): we do not sell, share, or disclose personal information because we do not collect any. there is no personal information to opt out of.
if privacy laws in your jurisdiction require something we're not doing, please contact us and we'll work to address it.
the collapse index algorithm is proprietary. the methodology is informed by published research in behavioral science, epistemic calibration, and uncertainty quantification.
if you use our data or methodology in academic work, please cite:
since we don't collect personal data, traditional data rights (access, deletion, etc.) don't apply. your responses are anonymous and cannot be linked back to you.
we may update this policy from time to time. changes will be reflected on this page with an updated date.
questions about privacy? reach out at: ask@collapseindex.org