Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Tab Rewind ("we", "our", or "the extension") was built out of deep respect for user privacy. Unlike traditional cloud tab managers that require user accounts and sync your personal browsing links to remote servers, Tab Rewind operates strictly on-device using Chrome's native sandboxed APIs.

2. What Information We Collect

None. We do not collect, transmit, sell, or rent any personally identifiable information (PII) or browsing data. Specifically:

• No Analytics: We do not include Google Analytics, PostHog, Mixpanel, or any tracking telemetry in the extension.
• No Remote Databases: We do not host a cloud database of your saved tabs, URLs, or search queries.
• No Account Required: You do not need to register, provide an email address, or create a password to use Tab Rewind.
• No Keystroke Logging: All search queries in the dashboard and popup are processed locally in memory via a postings-based inverted index.

3. Where Your Data Is Stored

All session data, tab metadata (URLs, page titles, favicons), tab group identifiers (colors, names), and background snapshots are stored exclusively on your local computer using the browser's built-in chrome.storage.local API.

Your data never leaves your device unless you explicitly export your sessions via the built-in Export as JSON or Export as Markdown features.

4. Browser Permissions & Justification

In accordance with the Google Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, below is a complete and transparent breakdown of every permission requested in our manifest.json:

• tabs: Required to query open tabs in your windows so you can save them, restore them, and detect duplicates. Incognito tabs are excluded by default.
• tabGroups: Required to read tab group titles, colors, and collapsed states so that your groups can be faithfully restored without losing metadata.
• storage: Required to save your session data and preferences locally inside the browser's protected local database.
• alarms: Required to trigger the background Time Machine auto-snapshot check every 30 minutes without running an active battery-draining loop.
• unlimitedStorage: Required to prevent the browser from evicting your saved sessions when you save large collections of tabs.
• sessions: Required exclusively to populate the "Recently Closed Tabs" safety net panel in the dashboard inspector.

5. License Key Validation & Lemon Squeezy

If you choose to purchase Tab Rewind Pro, the transaction is handled securely by our Merchant of Record, Lemon Squeezy.

Our license key validation is performed 100% on-device using a cryptographic polynomial rolling checksum. The extension does not ping a license server upon startup, does not track device fingerprints, and does not monitor active user sessions.

6. Data Retention & Deletion

You have complete control over your data:

• Automatic Pruning: Background auto-snapshots are pruned automatically based on age (7 days on the Free light tier, 90 days on Pro).
• Manual Deletion: You can delete any saved session or snapshot at any time directly in the dashboard.
• Uninstall Deletion: Uninstalling the extension from your browser immediately and permanently erases all stored sessions from chrome.storage.local.

7. Children's Privacy

Tab Rewind does not collect personal data from anyone, including children under the age of 13.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

If we make any modifications to this policy, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document and provide notification in release notes. Because Tab Rewind collects no contact information, we recommend reviewing this page periodically.

9. Contact Information

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or our local-first architecture, please reach out to:

Email: [email protected]