Privacy Policy for History Broom

Effective Date: July 7, 2026

History Broom ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains our data practices for the History Broom Chrome Extension.

1. Zero Data Collection & Off-Device Transmission

History Broom is built with a strict local-only architecture.

• No Server Communication: The extension does not communicate with any external servers.
• No Analytics or Tracking: We do not collect, monitor, or transmit any analytics, telemetry, crash logs, or usage statistics off your device.
• No Third-Party SDKs: The extension contains zero third-party tracking scripts, advertising SDKs, or analytics APIs.

2. Information We Process and Store (Locally)

To perform its core functions, the extension accesses and processes certain browsing data locally on your device. This data is never sent to us or any third party:

• Keywords & Exceptions: The terms you define for scrubbing are stored locally on your device to run the matching logic.
• Browsing History & Downloads: The extension reads your local browsing history and download history to find and erase records matching your keywords.
• Active Tabs: The extension reads tab titles and URLs to find and close tabs matching your keywords.
• Lock PIN: If you enable the lock screen feature, a SHA-256 hash of your PIN is stored locally to restrict access to the popup UI.

3. Local Data Storage & Sync

• Local Storage: All configuration settings, lists, and statistics are stored locally on your device using Chrome's sandboxed storage (chrome.storage.local).
• Optional Cloud Sync: If you explicitly enable the "Sync Settings" toggle, your keywords, exceptions, and configuration will be synced across your personal Chrome profiles using Google’s secure native synchronization (chrome.storage.sync). None of this data is accessible to us.
• Data Retention: All settings and configurations are deleted instantly and completely when you uninstall the extension.

4. Permission Justifications

In accordance with the Chrome Web Store Developer Policies, here is why each permission is required:

• history: To search for and delete matching URLs from your browser history.
• downloads: To search for and erase matching download records.
• tabs: To read open tab titles and URLs, and close matching tabs.
• storage: To save your settings, keywords, exceptions, and statistics locally.
• alarms: To trigger the optional recurring timer cleanup.
• idle: To trigger the optional cleanup when your device goes idle.
• browsingData: To run the optional Deep Clean (wiping cache and autofill forms) and clear site data.
• notifications: To display system notifications confirming that automated cleanups have finished.

5. Compliance with Chrome Web Store Limited Use Policy

History Broom complies fully with the Google Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements:

• We only use permissions and access to data to provide and improve the single, core user-facing disclosure purpose of the extension (scrubbing data by keyword).
• We never sell, rent, or lease any user data to third parties.
• We never use or transfer user data for personalized advertising, credit checks, lending, or profiling.
• Human review of user data is impossible because no user data is collected or transmitted.

6. Contact Information

If you have any questions or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact the developer via the official GitHub repository support channel:

https://github.com/shailesh-stha/HistoryBroom