Study approved by UChicago IRB (IRB25-1521)Questions? Contact normal-lab@uchicago.edu
Digital Life
Project

Donate data for research.
Keep your privacy intact.

We help you securely donate your data from platforms like ChatGPT and TikTok to support meaningful research.Your privacy is protected at every step.

Start Redaction
Secure Local Processing
Original Conversation
User: Can you help me write a text to Olaf? I need to cancel our meeting at the Starbucks at 750 7th Ave. Tell him to email me at olaf@gmail.com or call 917-555-0199 to reschedule.
ChatGPT: Here is a draft: "Hi Olaf, sorry but I need to cancel our meeting at the Starbucks at 750 7th Ave. Please email me at olaf@gmail.com or call 917-555-0199 to reschedule."
Redacted Output
User: Can you help me write a text to <PERSON>? I need to cancel our meeting at <LOCATION>. Tell him to email me at <EMAIL_ADDRESS> or call <PHONE_NUMBER> to reschedule.
ChatGPT: Here is a draft: "Hi <PERSON>, sorry but I need to cancel our meeting at <LOCATION>. Please email me at <EMAIL_ADDRESS> or call <PHONE_NUMBER> to reschedule."
Study conducted by researchers at:
University of ChicagoUniversity of ZurichUniversity of CologneStanford UniversityBocconi University

Your privacy matters

Our technical security model ensures you remain the sole owner of your data until you explicitly choose to donate the redacted version

Secure Processing

For most platforms, redaction happens locally in your browser. For ChatGPT, data is briefly processed on our secure server and not stored.

Zero Data Retention

We do not store or log your unredacted data. Once you close the tab, all local processing artifacts are wiped.

Academic Use Only

Your data will only be used by approved academic researchers on the team, and never shared with third parties.

Methodology

The 4-steps to donate your data

1
Select Platform
Choose the service (e.g., ChatGPT, Spotify) you wish to donate data from.
2
Secure Processing
Upload your export ZIP. The engine extracts and analyzes it securely.
3
Redaction Preview
Inspect side-by-side comparisons of original vs. redacted content.
4
Consent & Donate
Confirm the redaction and securely submit the anonymous dataset.

Who We Are

The Digital Life Project is led by researchers from leading academic institutions.

Leonardo Bursztyn
Leonardo Bursztyn
Professor of Economics
University of Chicago
Luca Braghieri
Luca Braghieri
Associate Professor of Decision Sciences
Bocconi University
Matthew Gentzkow
Matthew Gentzkow
Professor of Economics
Stanford University
Christopher Roth
Christopher Roth
Professor of Economics
University of Cologne
David Yanagizawa-Drott
David Yanagizawa-Drott
Professor of Economics
University of Zurich

1. Select Platform & Add Files

Upload the zip file from your platform export. Upload one zip file at a time.

Drag & drop your zip file here, or click to choose

2. Process & Download

Click "Start Redaction" to process your files.

3. Submit to Study

Redaction must be complete before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about participation, data safety, and study goals.

Does my data ever leave my device?
For most platforms, your original unredacted data never leaves your computer; our redaction engine runs entirely in your browser (client-side). For ChatGPT, data is briefly processed on our secure server for PII redaction before being returned to your device. In all cases, only the final, redacted version is uploaded when you choose to donate.
What types of information are automatically redacted?
We automatically remove Personally Identifiable Information (PII) such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, IP addresses, and location data. We also filter out device identifiers and other technical metadata that could be traced back to you.
Which platforms are supported?
Currently, we support data exports from ChatGPT, TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube. We are actively working on adding support for more digital platforms to broaden the scope of our research.
How do I know my data is being used ethically?
This study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the University of Chicago (IRB25-1521). We adhere to strict ethical guidelines for data handling, ensuring your contribution is used solely for academic research to understand digital well-being, and is never sold or shared with third parties.