PilPod Privacy Policy

PilPod Companion ("we", "our", or "the extension") is a browser extension that lets you manage your browser tabs and control audio/video playback in them — from the extension popup or, optionally, from the PilPod desktop application installed on the same computer.

PilPod is built with a strict local-first, zero-telemetry philosophy. The extension does not send any data over the internet. Ever. There are no remote servers, no analytics SDKs, no crash reporters, and no third-party trackers.

1. What Data the Extension Handles

To provide its features, the extension accesses the following data. All of it is processed locally on your device:

• Tab information — the title, URL, favicon, audio/mute state, and pinned state of your open tabs. Used to display the tab list in the popup so you can switch, mute, sleep, or close tabs. (Permissions: tabs, windows.)
• Media playback information — the title, artist, artwork, duration, position, and volume of audio/video playing in your tabs. Used to display and control playback (play/pause, seek, volume, Picture-in-Picture). Because media can play on any website, the extension's content scripts run on the pages you visit; they only observe media elements and playback metadata — they do not read page content, forms, keystrokes, or credentials. (Permission: host access.)
• Settings — your extension options (desktop connection on/off, port, token) and a randomly generated identifier for your browser profile, stored locally via chrome.storage. (Permission: storage.)

The extension does not collect or access: page content, form data, keystrokes, passwords, cookies, browsing history beyond currently open tabs, location, or any personally identifiable information.

2. Where the Data Goes

By default: nowhere. Tab and media information is held in the extension's memory and Chrome's session storage on your device and shown in the popup. It is never transmitted over the internet.

If you enable the optional desktop connection (off by default): after you explicitly consent in the extension's options page, tab and media information is streamed to the PilPod desktop application running on the same computer, over a loopback-only connection (127.0.0.1), and the desktop app can control the browser on your behalf when you use its features — for example opening or navigating a tab to play one of your saved playlists, or controlling tabs and media playback. Only standard web addresses (http/https) can be opened this way, and only in response to your own actions in the desktop app. The extension refuses to connect to any non-local address. Nothing is transmitted over the internet. You can disable this connection at any time in the extension options.

3. Data Retention

Tab and media state is transient: it lives in memory and session storage and is discarded when tabs close or the browser exits. Settings persist until you change them or uninstall the extension. Uninstalling removes all stored data.

4. Data Sharing and Sale

We do not sell, share, transfer, or disclose any user data to any third party, for any purpose. No humans (including us) can read your data — it never leaves your device.

5. Third-Party Services

PilPod does not integrate with any third-party advertising networks, analytics providers (like Google Analytics), or external tracking services.

6. Limited Use Disclosure

PilPod Companion's use of information received from Chrome APIs adheres to the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements. Specifically: data obtained through Chrome permissions is used only to provide the extension's single purpose (tab and media management) and its user-facing features; it is not transferred to third parties except as strictly necessary to provide that purpose (the optional, user-enabled connection to the PilPod desktop app on the same device); it is never used or transferred for advertising purposes, ad targeting, or creditworthiness determination; and it is never read by humans.

7. Changes to this Policy

If our data handling practices ever change, we will update this policy and prominently disclose the change inside the extension before it takes effect.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at pilpod.app@gmail.com.