Chrome Extension Privacy Policy

Last updated: 12 September 2026

This policy covers the YouTube Transcript and Summary Chrome extension. Our website privacy policy covers getyoutubetranscript.com. Where the two overlap, this page is the one that describes the extension.

The short version

• A free account is required to use the extension.
• We never sell your data, and we never use it for advertising.
• We do not track your browsing. The extension only runs on YouTube watch pages.
• Reading, searching and translating a transcript happens in your browser.
• Uninstalling removes everything the extension stored on your device.

What the extension can access

The extension requests the narrowest set of permissions it can work with:

• youtube.com — to read the video's caption data and show the transcript panel beside the player. This is the only site the extension runs on.
• getyoutubetranscript.com — to sign you in and to run the AI features.
• Storage — to keep your settings and sign-in state on your own device.

The extension does not request access to your browsing history, your other tabs, your bookmarks, your downloads, or any website other than the two above.

What we collect, and why

Stored on your device only

Your language preference, panel settings, cached sign-in state, and a short list of recently viewed video IDs are kept in your browser's local extension storage. They are not sent to us and are deleted when you uninstall the extension.

Transcripts

When you open a YouTube video, the extension fetches that video's captions directly from YouTube in your browser and displays them. Reading, searching, translating and copying a transcript all happen locally on your device.

Captions and public video details (title, channel, thumbnail) for the videos you transcribe may be cached on our servers so the same video loads instantly next time. This is public information already published on YouTube, and it is what keeps transcripts free and unmetered.

Account information

The extension requires a free account. When you sign in with Google, we receive your email address, name and profile picture. We use them to identify your account, show you your credit balance, and contact you about your account. We do not receive your Google password or any other Google data.

AI summary and chat

When you ask for a summary or send a chat message, the transcript text and your question are sent to our servers and on to our AI provider (OpenAI) to generate the answer. We do not use your transcripts or questions to train AI models, and our AI provider is contractually barred from doing so. Chat history is not stored on our servers after the reply is returned.

Server logs

Like any website, our servers record standard request logs (IP address, timestamp, requested path, user agent) when the extension calls our API. We use them for security, abuse prevention and debugging, and they are rotated out within 30 days.

What we do not do

• We do not sell, rent or trade your data.
• We do not use or transfer your data to serve personalized, re-targeted or interest-based advertising.
• We do not track which pages you visit outside YouTube watch pages.
• We do not run analytics or fingerprinting scripts inside the extension.
• We do not inject ads, affiliate links or sponsored content into YouTube.

Who we share data with

We share data only with the providers needed to run the service, and only what each one needs:

• Google — sign-in. We receive your profile; Google does not receive your transcripts.
• OpenAI — generates summaries and chat replies from transcript text you submit.
• Dodo Payments — processes payments if you subscribe. Card details go to them directly and never reach our servers.

We may also disclose data where we are legally required to, or to investigate abuse and protect the service.

Limited Use

Our use of information received from the extension adheres to the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements. Specifically: we use the data only to provide and improve the extension's user-facing features; we transfer it only as described above; we never use it for advertising; and no human reads your data except with your consent, for security, or where the law requires it.

Keeping and deleting your data

• On your device — uninstalling the extension deletes everything it stored locally.
• Your account — deleted on request, along with its credit history and everything linked to it.
• Cached transcripts — these are public YouTube captions, not personal data, and stay in the cache after an account is deleted.
• Server logs — rotated out within 30 days.

To request access to or deletion of your data, email us from the address on your account using the contact page. We respond within 30 days.

Children

The extension is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their data.

Changes

If we change how the extension handles data, we will update this page and move the date at the top. Material changes will also be announced in the extension.

Contact

Questions about this policy? Reach us through the contact page.