Privacy · what's reading every page
Browser extensions
30-second gist~30s read
An "AI summariser", "ChatGPT sidebar", or "smart writing" browser extension typically asks for permission to read and change every page you visit. That's the only way it can pop up in any tab. The trouble is what else it can do with that access.
A handful are well-built and trustworthy. A surprising number sell or leak the data they collect.
If you want more
Three checks before you install
- Read the permissions screen. "Read and change all your data on websites you visit" is the broadest you can give. Trust it only when the maker is reputable and the function genuinely needs it.
- Look at install count and review patterns. 50 reviews from accounts with no other history is a red flag. So is a ratings spike right at launch.
- Search the developer name + "data" or "privacy". If past extensions from this developer have been pulled or sanctioned, it's worth knowing.
The pattern to watch for
A free extension gets popular. The original developer sells it to a marketing company. A quiet update converts it into a tracker that injects ads or sells browsing data. Users keep using it because the original feature still works. Chrome and Firefox now occasionally yank these — but only after the damage. Audit your extensions list every six months and remove the ones you no longer use.