SideFlow Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 2025-03-19 · Last Updated: 2025-03-19
1. Overview
SideFlow is a Chrome extension that lets you open and manage web pages inside Chrome’s side panel. This policy explains what information SideFlow handles, how it is used, and your choices.
2. Information We Collect and Store
SideFlow does not collect or transmit personal information to the developer or to third parties. The extension stores a small amount of data locally on your device to provide its features:
| Data Element | Purpose | Storage Location |
|---|---|---|
| Favorite URLs and labels | Quick access to frequently used sites | chrome.storage.local |
| Per-tab URL mappings and “keep” flags | Remember which page a tab should show in the side panel | chrome.storage.session (fallback: chrome.storage.local) |
| Global side-panel URL and “keep” flag | Keep a panel persistent across tabs/windows | chrome.storage.local |
| Theme preference (dark/light); scope (tab/global) | UI personalization | localStorage |
3. How We Use the Stored Information
The locally stored information is used solely to provide SideFlow’s core functionality—showing pages in the side panel, managing favorites, and remembering your preferences. SideFlow does not send this data outside your browser.
4. Permissions and Access
To function, SideFlow requests the following Chrome permissions:
- sidePanel — Used to open, configure, and display the side panel UI.
- tabs — Used to determine the active tab and keep the side panel in sync with your current tab. Also used to activate a tab when you explicitly request it (e.g., launching a saved favorite).
- storage — Used to save favorites, panel mappings, and preferences on your device.
- Host permissions (http://*/*, https://*/*) — Used to inject a lightweight navigation script and styles when a page is shown inside the side panel. This enables Back/Forward/Refresh and a Favorites button within that page’s context. The script does not read or modify page content beyond mounting the small toolbar required for navigation.
5. Third-Party Services
When displaying a favorite or open-panel site, SideFlow may fetch a favicon from Google’s favicon service: https://www.google.com/s2/favicons. This request includes only the site’s domain. Google may collect information in accordance with its own privacy policy. SideFlow itself does not track or store this information.
6. Data Sharing
SideFlow does not sell, rent, or share user information. All data remains on your device unless you manually export or share it using your browser tools.
7. Security
SideFlow stores data using Chrome’s storage APIs and does not transmit it elsewhere. Please ensure your device and browser profile are secured.
8. Your Choices and Controls
- Clearing Data: Remove favorites or reset global/per-tab mappings from the extension UI.
- Browser Controls: Remove the extension or clear Chrome’s storage to delete all stored data.
- Permissions: Use Chrome’s extension settings to view or modify permissions.
9. Changes to This Policy
Any updates to this policy will be reflected in the “Last Updated” date above. Continued use of SideFlow after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
10. Contact
For questions about this policy or the extension, please open an issue or contact the developer through the SideFlow repository.