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Privacy Policy

Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Visual Time Travel ("we", "our", or "the extension") collects, uses, and protects your information when you use our browser extension. We are committed to ensuring the privacy and security of your data.

Last Updated: November 15, 2023

Required Permissions

Visual Time Travel requires certain browser permissions to function properly. Here's why each permission is necessary:

tabs

This permission allows the extension to access information about browser tabs, including URLs, titles, and favicons. It's essential for capturing screenshots of tabs and organizing them in your visual history timeline.

activeTab

This permission grants temporary access to the currently active tab when you interact with the extension. It's used to capture screenshots of the active tab and retrieve metadata about the page you're viewing.

storage

This permission allows the extension to store data locally in your browser. It's used to save your preferences, authentication information, and metadata about captured screenshots.

scripting

This permission allows the extension to execute scripts in web pages. It's used to capture screenshots and extract metadata from the pages you visit.

history

This permission allows the extension to access your browsing history. It's used to correlate captured screenshots with your browsing history for a more complete visual timeline.

webNavigation

This permission allows the extension to receive notifications about browser navigation events. It's used to detect when you navigate to a new page so that screenshots can be captured at the appropriate time.

host_permissions

The extension requests access to our backend API (https://visual-time-travel2.onrender.com/*) to store and retrieve screenshots and related metadata. This is necessary for the cloud storage functionality of the extension.

Information We Collect

Information Collected Automatically

When you use Visual Time Travel, we automatically collect:

  • Screenshots: Visual captures of web pages you visit
  • Page Metadata: URLs, page titles, favicons, and timestamps
  • Technical Information: Browser type and version, operating system

Information You Provide

We may also collect information you voluntarily provide, such as:

  • Account Information: Email address and password (if you create an account)
  • Preferences: Your extension settings and preferences

What We Do NOT Collect

Visual Time Travel does NOT collect:

  • Personal information beyond what's necessary for the extension's functionality
  • Form data, passwords, or sensitive information entered on websites
  • Screenshots of pages loaded in incognito/private browsing mode
  • Content from secure (HTTPS) pages that contain sensitive information

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide and maintain the Visual Time Travel extension
  • Create and display your visual browsing history timeline
  • Enable search and filtering functionality within your timeline
  • Improve and optimize the extension's performance and user experience
  • Troubleshoot issues and respond to user support requests

We do NOT:

  • Sell your personal information to third parties
  • Use your data for advertising purposes
  • Share your browsing history or screenshots with other users

Data Storage & Security

Visual Time Travel offers two storage options:

Local Storage

By default, your screenshots and browsing data are stored locally on your device using the browser's storage API. This data never leaves your device and is not accessible to us or any third parties.

Cloud Storage (Optional)

If you create an account, your screenshots and browsing data can be stored on our secure servers. This enables features like cross-device synchronization and backup. All data transmitted to our servers is encrypted using HTTPS, and we implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information.

We use MongoDB for database storage and implement security best practices, including:

  • Data encryption in transit and at rest
  • Secure authentication using JWT (JSON Web Tokens)
  • Regular security audits and updates
  • Limited access controls for our development team

Third-Party Services

Visual Time Travel uses the following third-party services:

FreeImage.host API

We use FreeImage.host for image hosting services. When you use cloud storage, your screenshots are uploaded to FreeImage.host. Please review their Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Render.com

Our backend API is hosted on Render.com. They provide infrastructure services and do not have access to your personal data. You can review their Privacy Policy.

User Rights

You have the following rights regarding your data:

  • Access: You can access your data through the extension's interface.
  • Deletion: You can delete individual screenshots or your entire history through the extension.
  • Account Deletion: If you have created an account, you can request account deletion, which will remove all your data from our servers.
  • Data Export: You can export your data through the extension's settings.
  • Opt-Out: You can disable screenshot capturing at any time through the extension's settings.

To exercise these rights, please use the relevant features within the extension or contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Information" section.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes through the extension's interface or via email if you have provided one.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us by:

We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.