TubeBuddy - Privacy Policy

Effective Date: September 2025

Last Updated: September 2025

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

• YouTube Video URLs: URLs of YouTube videos you submit for analysis
• Chat Messages: Questions and messages you send to our AI assistant
• Email Address: Only when you contact us for support

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Analytics: How you interact with our website and extension via Google Analytics
• Technical Data: Browser information and device data collected automatically by Google Analytics
• Local Storage: Chat history and preferences stored locally in your browser
• Server Logs: Standard web server access logs for basic functionality and error debugging

1.3 YouTube Data

• Video Transcripts: We fetch publicly available transcripts/captions from YouTube videos
• Video Metadata: Title, channel name, and thumbnail for display purposes

1.4 Browser Extension Permissions

Our Chrome extension requires the following permissions:

• activeTab: To interact with the currently active YouTube tab
• storage: To save your preferences and settings locally
• tabs: To detect when you navigate to YouTube videos
• scripting: To inject our chat interface into YouTube pages
• Host permissions: Access to YouTube.com and our authentication server

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Core Functionality

• Process YouTube video content to enable AI chat functionality
• Generate responses to your questions about video content
• Provide video summaries and insights

2.2 Service Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve our service
• Monitor performance and fix technical issues
• Develop new features based on user behavior

2.3 Communication

• Respond to support requests and questions
• Send important service updates if necessary

2.4 Extension Permissions Usage

• activeTab & scripting: Add our chat interface to YouTube video pages you're viewing
• storage: Save your extension settings, license information, and preferences locally
• tabs: Detect when you're on a YouTube video page to enable our features
• Host permissions: Communicate with YouTube.com for video data and our servers for AI processing

3. Data Storage and Security

3.1 Data Storage

• Chat History: Stored locally in your browser only (localStorage)
• Video Processing: YouTube transcripts temporarily processed for AI responses, not permanently stored
• User Interactions: Monthly interaction counts stored in Firebase for usage tracking
• License Data: License keys and status stored in Firebase for premium users
• Analytics Data: Stored by Google Analytics according to their retention policies

3.2 Security Measures

• HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
• Secure server infrastructure
• Regular security updates and monitoring
• No long-term storage of personal conversations

4. Data Sharing and Third Parties

4.1 Third-Party Services

• Google Analytics: For website usage analytics and tracking user behavior
• YouTube/RapidAPI: To fetch video transcripts and metadata
• Google Gemini AI: To generate chat responses (content temporarily processed, not stored)
• Firebase: For user authentication, license management, and usage tracking
• Lemon Squeezy: For payment processing and license key management

4.2 Data Sharing Limitations

We do NOT:

• Sell your personal information to third parties
• Share your chat conversations with others
• Use your data for advertising purposes
• Store your video preferences or viewing history

5. Your Rights and Choices

5.1 Data Control

• Local Storage: Clear your browser data to remove chat history and extension settings
• Analytics Opt-out: Use browser settings or opt-out tools
• Extension Control: Disable, remove permissions, or uninstall the Chrome extension at any time
• Permission Management: Manage extension permissions through Chrome's extension settings

5.2 Contact Rights

• Request information about data we may have
• Request deletion of any stored data
• Report privacy concerns or issues

6. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

7. International Users

Our service is primarily designed for users worldwide. Data processing may occur in various countries. By using our service, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information in these locations.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify users of any material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of our service after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

9. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

California residents have specific rights regarding their personal information:

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt-out of sale (we don't sell data)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

10. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

European users have additional rights under GDPR:

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing

11. Contact Information

For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your privacy rights:

Email: antontl1000@gmail.com

Response Time: Within 48 hours

12. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your information based on:

• Legitimate Interest: To provide and improve our service
• Consent: When you voluntarily use our service
• Contract Performance: To fulfill our service obligations

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