Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 15, 2025

Introduction

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

What We Collect

1. Data Stored Locally (On Your Device)

The following data is stored ONLY on your local device and NEVER transmitted to our servers:

  • Settings: Theme (light/dark), font family, font size
  • Reading list: Saved article URLs, titles, reading time (up to 10 articles)
  • Reading progress: Scroll position for saved articles

2. Anonymous Usage Analytics

Focus Reader uses PostHog, a privacy-focused analytics service, to collect anonymous usage data. See PostHog's Privacy Policy.

What We DO Collect (via PostHog):

  • Usage events (e.g., "reader activated", "article saved", "theme changed")
  • Website domains only (e.g., "medium.com") - NOT full URLs
  • Anonymous user ID (random UUID, not linked to your identity)
  • Extension version and browser type

What We DO NOT Collect:

  • ❌ Article content or webpage text
  • ❌ Full URLs or browsing history
  • ❌ Personal information (name, email, phone number)
  • ❌ Passwords or form data
  • ❌ IP addresses (PostHog may log, but we don't use them)
  • ❌ Location data

How We Use Information

Local Data (Settings & Reading List)

  • Provide core functionality (reader mode, theme switching)
  • Remember your preferences across sessions
  • Track reading progress

Analytics Data

  • Understand which features are used most
  • Identify and fix bugs on different websites
  • Prioritize new feature development
  • Track extension adoption and engagement

We do NOT: Sell your data, use it for advertising, profile users, or share with third parties (except PostHog for analytics processing).

How to Opt-Out of Analytics

You can disable analytics at any time:

  1. Click the Focus Reader extension icon
  2. Go to Settings (⚙️)
  3. Toggle "Analytics" to OFF

After disabling, NO analytics data will be sent to PostHog.

Third-Party Services

Extension Analytics: PostHog

  • Purpose: Anonymous usage analytics for the Chrome extension
  • Website: posthog.com
  • Privacy Policy: posthog.com/privacy
  • Data Shared: Event names, website domains, anonymous UUID, extension version
  • Location: United States (us.i.posthog.com)
  • GDPR Compliant: Yes

Website Analytics: Plausible (Separate from Extension)

Our website (focusreader.app) uses Plausible Analytics, a privacy-focused service that:

  • Doesn't use cookies
  • Doesn't collect personal data
  • Is fully GDPR compliant

Note: Plausible is used ONLY for the website, NOT the Chrome extension.

Chrome Extension Permissions Explained

Focus Reader requests these Chrome permissions:

activeTab

Allows us to access the active tab's content ONLY when you activate the extension (click icon or press Alt+R). Extension does NOT run on all websites automatically. Scripts are injected programmatically only on user request.

storage

Allows us to save your settings and reading list locally on your device. Data is stored ONLY locally and never transmitted to servers.

scripting

Allows us to programmatically inject reader mode scripts into the active tab after user activation. Scripts are injected on-demand (not auto-loaded), only when you explicitly request reader mode.

contextMenus

Adds "Open in Focus Reader" option to the right-click context menu as an alternative way to activate reader mode. No data is tracked from context menu usage.

host_permissions: https://us.i.posthog.com/*

ONLY external host permission. Allows the extension to send anonymous usage analytics to PostHog servers. Only event data and domain names are sent (e.g., "medium.com"). No article content, full URLs, or personal data is transmitted.

Remote Code

Focus Reader does NOT execute remote code.

All extension code is bundled and reviewed by Chrome Web Store. We use fetch() ONLY to send analytics data to PostHog (POST requests with JSON), NOT to load or execute JavaScript from external sources. Extension complies with Manifest V3 Content Security Policy.

Data Security

  • Local data stored using Chrome's secure storage API
  • Analytics transmitted over HTTPS only
  • Anonymous by design - no personally identifiable information collected
  • Extension code sandboxed by Chrome browser

Legal Compliance

GDPR (European Union)

Focus Reader complies with GDPR:

  • Minimal data collection (data minimization)
  • Anonymous analytics (no personal data processing)
  • User control over data (opt-out available)
  • Right to be forgotten (uninstall deletes all data)
  • Transparent privacy policy

CCPA (California)

Focus Reader complies with CCPA:

  • We do NOT sell your personal information
  • Analytics can be disabled at any time
  • All local data can be cleared via Chrome settings
  • Transparent disclosure of data collection

Children's Privacy

Focus Reader does not knowingly collect information from children under 13. The extension is designed for general audiences and does not target children.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify users of any material changes via:

  • Updating the "Last Updated" date on this page
  • Extension update notes
  • Notice on this website
  • Email (if you're a PRO user)

Your Rights & Controls

Clear Local Data

To clear all stored settings and reading list:

  1. Go to chrome://settings/privacy
  2. Click "Clear browsing data"
  3. Select "Hosted app data"
  4. Choose "Focus Reader"
  5. Click "Clear data"

Uninstall Extension

Uninstalling Focus Reader will delete all local data (settings, reading list) and stop all analytics collection.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Privacy-First Promise

We built Focus Reader with privacy as the foundation, not an afterthought. Your reading is your business, and we intend to keep it that way. Settings and reading lists stay on your device. Analytics are anonymous, minimal, and can be disabled anytime.

Version: 1.0
Last Updated: November 15, 2025
Effective Date: November 15, 2025

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