Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 21, 2024

ExplainThis ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you use our Chrome extension.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Page Content

When you use ExplainThis to explain a webpage, the extension extracts the following content from the page you're viewing:

• Page title and URL
• Text content from the main page area
• Headings and structure
• Meta descriptions (if available)

We do NOT collect:

• Personal information (name, email, phone number, etc.)
• Login credentials or passwords
• Payment information
• Browsing history (beyond the current page)
• Any data from other tabs or websites

1.2 Local Storage

The extension stores the following data locally on your device using Chrome's storage API:

• Explanation History: Up to 100 recent explanations (URL, title, explanation text, timestamp)
• Cache: Temporary cache of recent explanations to improve performance

This data is stored only on your device and is never transmitted to our servers or third parties.

2. How We Use Information

2.1 Processing Page Content

When you request an explanation, the extracted page content is sent to Groq API (a third-party AI service) to generate the explanation. This is necessary for the extension to function.

The content sent to Groq API includes:

• Text content from the webpage (truncated to 5,000 characters)
• Page title and structure
• No personal information or identifiers

2.2 Local Storage

Explanation history is stored locally to:

• Allow you to view your recent explanations
• Improve performance through caching

This data never leaves your device.

3. Third-Party Services

3.1 Groq API

We use Groq API to process page content and generate explanations. When you use the extension, page content is sent to Groq's servers for processing.

Groq's privacy practices are governed by their own privacy policy. We recommend reviewing their privacy policy at groq.com/privacy.

Important: We do not send any personal information, user identifiers, or tracking data to Groq. Only the page content you explicitly request to be explained is sent.

4. Chrome Extension Permissions

ExplainThis requires the following permissions to function:

4.1 "activeTab" Permission

Why we need it: To access the content of the current webpage you want to explain.

What we do: Extract text content, headings, and structure from the page you're viewing.

What we don't do: We do not access other tabs, your browsing history, or any pages you're not actively viewing.

4.2 "storage" Permission

Why we need it: To store your explanation history locally on your device.

What we do: Save up to 100 recent explanations in Chrome's local storage.

What we don't do: We do not sync this data to the cloud or share it with anyone.

4.3 "scripting" Permission

Why we need it: To inject the explanation panel UI into webpages.

What we do: Display the explanation interface when you click the extension icon or use keyboard shortcuts.

What we don't do: We do not modify webpage content or inject tracking scripts.

4.4 "contextMenus" Permission

Why we need it: To add "Explain this page" and "Explain selected text" options to the right-click menu.

What we do: Provide convenient access to the explanation feature.

4.5 "host_permissions" (https://*/*, http://*/*)

Why we need it: To work on all websites you visit.

What we do: Allow the extension to function on any webpage.

What we don't do: We do not track which websites you visit or collect browsing data.

5. Data Security

We take data security seriously:

• All API communications use HTTPS encryption
• No data is stored on our servers (we don't have servers)
• All local storage is managed by Chrome's secure storage API
• We do not collect or store personal information

6. Data Retention

Explanation history is stored locally on your device and:

• Is limited to the most recent 100 entries
• Can be cleared at any time through Chrome's extension settings
• Is automatically removed if you uninstall the extension

Page content sent to Groq API is processed and not stored by us. Groq's data retention policies apply to their service.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: View your explanation history stored locally
• Delete: Clear your explanation history at any time
• Control: Disable or uninstall the extension at any time
• Opt-out: Simply don't use the extension if you don't want to share page content

8. Children's Privacy

ExplainThis is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:

• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Posting a notice in the extension (if significant changes occur)

Your continued use of the extension after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

11. Compliance

This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with:

• Chrome Web Store Developer Program Policies
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) principles
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) principles

By using ExplainThis, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the extension.