# Privacy Policy for BhashaZap Chrome Extension **Last Updated:** January 18, 2025 **Effective Date:** January 18, 2025 --- ## Overview BhashaZap ("we", "our", "the extension") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how BhashaZap handles information when you use our Chrome extension. **The short version: We don't collect, store, or share any of your personal data. Period.** --- ## Information We DO NOT Collect BhashaZap does NOT collect, store, transmit, or share: - ❌ Your browsing history - ❌ The words you translate - ❌ Which websites you visit - ❌ Your personal information - ❌ Your search queries - ❌ Your IP address - ❌ Usage statistics or analytics - ❌ Cookies or tracking data - ❌ Any identifiable information **We have zero interest in your data. We don't want it, we don't need it, and we don't collect it.** --- ## Information Stored Locally The ONLY data stored by BhashaZap is: ### 1. **Your Language Preferences** - Which 2 Indian languages you selected - Stored: Locally in your browser only - Accessible by: Only you - Used for: Remembering your language choices ### 2. **Extension Settings** - Popup duration preference (5-30 seconds) - Extension enabled/disabled state - Stored: Locally in your browser using Chrome's storage API - Accessible by: Only you - Never transmitted: Stays on your device **This data:** - ✅ Stays on your computer - ✅ Never leaves your browser - ✅ Is not sent to any server - ✅ Is deleted when you uninstall the extension --- ## How BhashaZap Works ### Translation Process: 1. **You double-click a word** on any webpage 2. **BhashaZap reads the word** (only the specific word you clicked) 3. **Word is sent to translation APIs** to fetch definitions 4. **Translations are displayed** in a popup 5. **Nothing is stored** - the word and translations are discarded immediately ### What Happens to the Word You Translate: ``` Your Word → API Request → Get Translation → Display to You → Done ↓ Discarded (Not Saved) ``` **We never see, log, or store the words you translate.** --- ## Third-Party Services BhashaZap uses the following public APIs to provide translation services: ### 1. **Dictionary API** (dictionaryapi.dev) - **Used for:** English word definitions - **What's sent:** Only the English word you double-clicked - **Their privacy policy:** https://dictionaryapi.dev/ - **Data collection:** See their policy - **Our control:** We have no control over their data practices ### 2. **MyMemory Translation API** (mymemory.translated.net) - **Used for:** Translating to Indian languages - **What's sent:** The English word and its definition - **Their privacy policy:** https://mymemory.translated.net/doc/spec.php - **Data collection:** See their policy - **Our control:** We have no control over their data practices **Important:** When you translate a word, that word is sent to these third-party APIs. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies if you have concerns about specific words being transmitted. **Note:** We chose these APIs because: - They are free and publicly available - They don't require user accounts or API keys - They are widely used and trusted - They provide good quality translations --- ## Permissions Explained BhashaZap requests the following Chrome permissions: ### 1. **"activeTab"** - **Purpose:** To detect when you double-click on a word and to display the translation popup - **What it does:** Allows the extension to read the word you clicked and show the popup on the current page - **What it does NOT do:** Does not track your browsing history or monitor your activity - **Required:** Yes, this is essential for the extension to function ### 2. **"storage"** - **Purpose:** To save your language preferences and settings - **What it does:** Stores your selected languages (e.g., Hindi and Tamil) locally in your browser - **What it does NOT do:** Does not send data to external servers - **Required:** Yes, so you don't have to re-select languages every time ### 3. **"host_permissions" for APIs** - **URLs:** - `https://api.mymemory.translated.net/*` - `https://api.dictionaryapi.dev/*` - **Purpose:** To fetch word definitions and translations from these public APIs - **What it does:** Allows the extension to make network requests to translation services - **What it does NOT do:** Does not access any other websites or services - **Required:** Yes, this is how we get translations **We only request the minimum permissions necessary for the extension to function.** --- ## Data Security ### How We Protect Your (Non-Existent) Data: Since we don't collect any data, there's nothing to protect! However: - ✅ **Local storage is secure:** Your language preferences are stored using Chrome's secure storage API - ✅ **No databases:** We don't have any servers or databases storing user information - ✅ **No accounts:** You don't need to create an account or log in - ✅ **No tracking:** We don't use cookies, pixels, or any tracking mechanisms - ✅ **Open source:** Our code is public on GitHub for transparency ### HTTPS Encryption: - All API requests to translation services use HTTPS encryption - Your words are transmitted securely to third-party APIs - We cannot see these transmissions --- ## Children's Privacy BhashaZap does not knowingly collect any information from children under 13 (or applicable age in your jurisdiction). Since we don't collect any data at all, the extension is safe for users of all ages. However, parents should: - Review the privacy policies of the third-party APIs we use - Supervise children's internet usage as appropriate - Understand that words translated are sent to external APIs --- ## Your Rights and Choices ### What You Can Do: 1. **Use the Extension Freely** - No data collection means no privacy concerns - Translate as many words as you want - We never know what you're doing 2. **Change Your Language Preferences** - Select different languages anytime - Settings are stored locally only - No one else can see your choices 3. **Disable the Extension** - Click the extension icon → "Disable Extension" - Extension stops working but stays installed - Re-enable anytime 4. **Uninstall the Extension** - Right-click extension icon → "Remove from Chrome" - All locally stored settings are deleted automatically - Nothing remains on our end (because we never had anything) 5. **View Our Code** - Visit our GitHub repository - See exactly what the extension does - Full transparency: https://github.com/rajeevchavan-bashazap/BhashaZap-Extension --- ## Changes to This Privacy Policy We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be: - Posted on this page - Reflected in the "Last Updated" date at the top - Communicated through the Chrome Web Store listing if significant **How to stay informed:** - Check this page periodically - Review the "Last Updated" date - Check Chrome Web Store listing for updates **Current version:** 1.0 (January 18, 2025) --- ## Contact Us If you have questions, concerns, or requests about this Privacy Policy or BhashaZap's privacy practices: **Email:** bhashazap2025@gmail.com **GitHub Issues:** https://github.com/rajeevchavan-bashazap/BhashaZap-Extension/issues **Response Time:** We aim to respond within 3-5 business days --- ## Legal Compliance ### Compliance with Laws: BhashaZap complies with: - **GDPR** (General Data Protection Regulation - EU) - **CCPA** (California Consumer Privacy Act - USA) - **PIPEDA** (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act - Canada) - **IT Act, 2000** (Information Technology Act - India) - **Other applicable data protection laws** **How we comply:** By not collecting any personal data, we automatically comply with data protection regulations worldwide. ### Data Subject Rights: Under GDPR and similar laws, you have rights including: - Right to access - Right to rectification - Right to erasure - Right to data portability **In BhashaZap's case:** Since we don't collect any personal data, these rights are not applicable. There's no data to access, correct, erase, or port. --- ## Transparency Commitment ### Our Promise to You: 1. **✅ No Hidden Data Collection** - We don't collect data in the background - No analytics, tracking, or monitoring - What you see is what you get 2. **✅ Open Source Code** - Full code available on GitHub - Anyone can audit our code - No hidden functionality 3. **✅ No Monetization of Data** - We don't sell data (we don't have any!) - Extension is 100% free - No ads, no subscriptions, no hidden costs 4. **✅ No Third-Party Sharing** - We don't share data with anyone - No partnerships for data sharing - Your privacy is our priority --- ## Third-Party Links and Services BhashaZap uses external translation APIs. Please note: - **We are not responsible** for the privacy practices of these third-party services - **We recommend** reviewing their privacy policies: - Dictionary API: https://dictionaryapi.dev/ - MyMemory API: https://mymemory.translated.net/doc/ - **We have no control** over what data they collect when you use their services through our extension --- ## Disclaimer This privacy policy applies only to BhashaZap Chrome Extension. It does not apply to: - Websites you visit while using the extension - Other extensions you have installed - Chrome browser itself - Third-party APIs we use for translations --- ## Summary (TL;DR) ### In Plain English: **What we collect:** Nothing **What we store:** Your language preferences (locally on your device only) **What we share:** Nothing **What we sell:** Nothing **What third-party APIs see:** Only the words you translate (sent to public translation APIs) **Can we see your browsing history?** No **Can we see what words you translate?** No **Is your data secure?** Yes, because we don't have any of your data **Is the extension safe?** Yes, it's open source and transparent **Bottom line:** BhashaZap respects your privacy. We built a tool to help you learn languages, not to collect your data. --- ## Consent By installing and using BhashaZap, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not install or use the extension. --- ## Version History | Version | Date | Changes | |---------|------|---------| | 1.0 | January 18, 2025 | Initial privacy policy | --- **BhashaZap - Learn languages, not share data.** 🔒 --- *This privacy policy is provided in good faith. While we strive for accuracy, this document should not be considered legal advice. For legal questions, please consult a qualified attorney.* --- **Copyright © 2025 Rajeev Chavan. All rights reserved.**