Checked Sources

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What Checked Sources will and will not do, how documents are handled, and what the record can show.

Is Checked Sources available now?
Not yet. It is in development. The pilot will open to a small group first; write to [email protected] to be considered.
Does Checked Sources decide whether a source is accurate?
No. It retrieves sources, records what it observes, and records the reviewer's own finding. Judgment about whether a source supports a statement stays with the person who signs the report.
Does the record prove that I read every source?
No record can prove that. It shows what was opened, what was checked against what, the finding recorded, and when. Every export states these limits.
Will my report be uploaded?
Only if you choose. A no-upload mode is planned that reads the PDF in your own browser and sends only the extracted list of items and a fingerprint of the document.
Will my documents be used to train AI models?
No. Report contents will not be used to train models or sent to third-party AI services.
Can the log be edited after the fact?
No. The log is append-only and hash-chained, so a change to any past entry would be detectable. Corrections are recorded as new entries.
Can someone else check the record without trusting Checked Sources?
Yes. Each export is planned to include a SHA-256 manifest and a small script that recomputes the chain of fingerprints independently.
Does it work with sources behind a paywall or login?
The server can only retrieve public pages. A browser extension is planned to capture pages exactly as the reviewer sees them, including subscription sources.
Is it only for lawyers and expert witnesses?
No. Expert witnesses are the first audience, but the same record serves consultants, analysts, researchers, journalists and students.
How does it relate to The Expert Record Standard?
The record follows a field schema published on theexpertrecord.com, written by the same author. The Standard is free, works with any tool or none, and certifies no product.