Privacy Policy

Overview

SmolBrain is a Chrome browser extension that simplifies complex web content using AI. This Privacy Policy explains how the extension handles data when you use it.

What Data We Access

1. Website Content

What: When you click the SmolBrain icon, the extension extracts visible text (up to 6,000 characters) from the current webpage.

How it's used: This text is sent directly to your configured AI provider (e.g., OpenAI, Ollama, or other OpenAI-compatible services) to generate simple explanations.

Important:

• This data is only accessed when you explicitly click the extension icon
• The webpage content is never stored on your device
• The content goes directly to your chosen AI provider, not to SmolBrain developers
• The extension developer has no access to this data

2. API Authentication Credentials

What: Your AI provider's API key, API URL, and model name that you configure in the settings page.

How it's stored: Stored locally in Chrome's encrypted storage (chrome.storage.sync) on your device.

Important:

• Your API key is never transmitted to SmolBrain developers
• It's only sent to your chosen AI provider for authentication
• You have full control to view, modify, or delete your API key at any time
• API keys are stored using Chrome's secure, encrypted storage mechanism

3. Chat Conversations

What: Your questions and the AI's responses during a session.

How it's handled:

• Stored temporarily in browser memory only during your active session
• Automatically cleared when you close the side panel or start a new chat
• Never persisted to disk or any server
• Not accessible to SmolBrain developers

What Data We Do NOT Collect

SmolBrain does NOT collect, store, access, or transmit:

• ❌ Personal information (name, email, address, age)
• ❌ Health information
• ❌ Financial or payment information
• ❌ Location data (IP address, GPS, region)
• ❌ Web browsing history
• ❌ User activity (clicks, scrolling, keystrokes)
• ❌ Passwords or personal communications
• ❌ Any analytics or telemetry data

Third-Party Services

SmolBrain connects to AI providers that you choose and configure, such as:

• OpenAI
• Ollama (local)
• Featherless AI
• OpenRouter
• Any OpenAI-compatible API service

SmolBrain developers do not control or have access to data sent to third-party AI providers.

Data Security

• API keys are stored using Chrome's encrypted chrome.storage.sync
• No data is transmitted to SmolBrain servers (we don't have any servers)
• All code is open source and reviewable
• No tracking, analytics, or telemetry

Your Rights and Control

You have complete control over your data:

• View/Edit Settings: Right-click the extension icon → Options
• Delete API Keys: Clear your settings at any time in the Options page
• Remove Extension: Uninstalling removes all locally stored data
• Choose Your Provider: You decide which AI service receives your data

Data Retention

• API Keys: Stored until you delete them or uninstall the extension
• Webpage Content: Not stored; sent directly to AI provider in real-time
• Chat History: Stored in memory only; cleared when you close the panel or start a new chat

Children's Privacy

SmolBrain does not knowingly collect data from children under 13. The extension is designed for general audiences and does not target children.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the extension after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

No Sale of Data

Contact Information

For questions about this Privacy Policy or the extension:

• GitHub: c2p-cmd/eli5-extension

Legal Compliance

This extension complies with:

• Chrome Web Store Developer Program Policies

Open Source

SmolBrain is open source. You can review the complete source code at: https://github.com/c2p-cmd/eli5-extension