FeedPrism – Privacy Policy
Last updated: October 15, 2026
FeedPrism is a Chrome extension used in a research study on social media feeds, run by researchers at Johns Hopkins University (IRB protocol HIRB00022595). It is only for people who joined the study through Prolific and agreed to its consent form. This policy explains what data the extension collects, how it is collected, how it is handled and used, how it is stored, and who it is shared with.
1. Data we collect
After you agree to take part and press Agree and start on x.com, the extension collects:
- Feed content: posts in your X For You and Following feeds, as X loads them in your browser (post text, author, time, links, images and videos, engagement counts, whether it is an ad, and any Community Note);
- Your own activity on X: your posts, reposts, replies and likes;
- Identifiers: your Prolific ID, your X username and X user ID;
- Study responses: your answers on the study pages and the time spent on each page.
We do not collect direct messages, passwords, contacts, location, payment information, or your browsing history on any other website. The extension never posts, likes or changes anything on your X account.
2. How the data is collected
Nothing is collected before you agree. The study website first shows the consent form; the extension then shows a notice on x.com saying what it will collect, and collects only after you press Agree and start.
The extension works only on x.com and the study website (vp.feedkit.org/feedstudy). It reads the data that X already sends to your browser while you use the site, and uploads it to the study server. It does not analyze the data in your browser. Collection runs once, during your study session, and the extension switches itself off when the study ends.
The extension uses three Chrome permissions: storage (to remember your study progress), scripting (to read your X pages during the session) and alarms (to keep collection running during your session).
3. How we handle and use the data
The data is used only for this research study. During your session, our server uses your X activity to write a short description of your interests and to re-order posts from your own feed; you then answer questions about them. Results are published only in aggregate, never in a way that identifies you.
We do not sell your data, use it for advertising, use it to determine credit-worthiness or for lending, or use it for any purpose unrelated to this study.
4. How we store and protect the data
All data is sent to our server over an encrypted connection (HTTPS) and kept on a secured Johns Hopkins research server that only the research team can access, under the research protocol approved by the Johns Hopkins Homewood IRB (HIRB00022595).
Your Prolific ID and X username are kept separate from the research data and removed within 90 days of the end of data collection. De-identified research data (with no Prolific ID or X username) is kept for research.
The extension keeps only your study progress in your browser; it is deleted when you remove the extension.
5. Who we share the data with
Only the research team can access the data. We share it only as follows:
- Service provider: to write the description and re-order posts, our server sends post content and your study answers to Microsoft Azure OpenAI, which processes them on our behalf and does not use them to train models. Your Prolific ID and X username are not sent.
- Other researchers: de-identified data may be shared with other researchers for research purposes.
- Legal: if required by law.
We do not sell or transfer your data to anyone else.
6. Your choices
Taking part is voluntary, and the study is for adults (18+). You can stop at any time by closing the study tab or removing the extension. To see, correct or delete your data, email feedprism.jhu@outlook.com with your Prolific ID.
The use of information received from Chrome APIs complies with the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.
7. Changes to this policy
If this policy changes, we will update the date at the top of this page.