Last updated: April 2026
Lattice: Reference Manager ("Lattice", "we", "our", or "us") is designed with privacy in mind. This Privacy Policy explains how Lattice, a macOS application for managing academic literature, handles information.
Lattice is designed to work primarily as a local macOS application. Your library data, PDF files, annotations, notes, and reading-related information are stored locally on your Mac, using Apple-provided system frameworks and storage mechanisms.
We do not require you to create an account, and we do not operate backend servers to host, sync, or store your library data on our own systems.
To provide core functionality, Lattice may send metadata lookup requests directly from your device to third-party academic data providers, such as Crossref, arXiv, Semantic Scholar, OpenAlex, and Open Library. These requests may include information necessary to identify a document, such as a title, DOI, author information, ISBN, or similar bibliographic data.
These requests are sent directly from your Mac to the relevant third-party service and are not routed through our own servers. As a result, those third parties may receive technical information such as your IP address and may process request data in accordance with their own privacy policies and terms.
Lattice may offer paid features or a one-time purchase through Apple's in-app purchase system. Payment processing is handled by Apple, not by us. We do not receive or store your full payment card details.
We may receive limited transaction-related information from Apple, such as whether a purchase was successfully completed, for the sole purpose of unlocking paid features in the app.
Lattice does not use third-party analytics, advertising SDKs, behavioral tracking, or profiling technologies. We do not use the app to monitor which papers you read, which features you use, or how you interact with your library.
Lattice only accesses files and folders that you explicitly choose to import, open, or grant permission to access. Such access is used solely to provide the app's core functionality, such as document import, organization, reading, and annotation.
Because your library data is stored locally on your device rather than on our servers, you generally control its retention and deletion. You may delete your documents, library data, or the app itself at any time using standard macOS controls.
We cannot delete local data from your device remotely because we do not possess it on our own systems.
When Lattice interacts with third-party academic metadata providers or Apple services, those services operate under their own privacy policies and terms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any updates will be reflected on this page by revising the "Last updated" date above.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, you may contact us at: stringer_fan@qq.com.