1. What FactWatch Does

FactWatch is a Chrome extension that fact-checks YouTube videos by analyzing video transcripts using AI. It displays results in a sidebar alongside the video player, with timed alerts and timeline markers for claims that may be false or misleading.

2. Data Accessed Locally

The following data is accessed within your browser and never leaves your device (except as described in Section 3):

• YouTube video transcripts: FactWatch reads the transcript of the video you are currently watching. This is used solely to extract claims for fact-checking and is not stored beyond the current session.
• YouTube page content: The extension accesses the YouTube page to display its sidebar, read video playback timestamps for timed alerts, and detect navigation between videos.

3. Data Sent to Third-Party Services

When you click "Analyze video" or submit a manual fact-check query, transcript text and extracted claims are sent to the AI provider you have configured. Supported providers include:

• Google Gemini
• Groq
• OpenAI
• xAI (Grok)
• Anthropic (Claude)

These API calls are made directly from your browser to the provider's servers using your own API key. FactWatch does not operate any intermediary server and does not proxy, log, or store these requests.

Each provider has its own privacy policy governing how it handles API requests. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of your chosen provider.

4. Data Stored Locally

The following data is stored in Chrome's local extension storage on your device:

• API key: Your AI provider API key, used only to authenticate requests to your chosen provider.
• User preferences: Settings such as enabled/disabled state, chosen AI provider and model, alert preferences, and UI options.
• Claim cache: Previously fact-checked claims may be cached locally to avoid redundant API calls. You can clear this cache at any time from the Settings tab.

5. Data We Do NOT Collect

• Name, email, or any personal information
• Browsing history or YouTube viewing habits
• Analytics, telemetry, or usage tracking of any kind
• Location data
• Any data outside of the active YouTube tab

6. Permissions

FactWatch requests the following browser permissions, each used solely for its core functionality:

• storage: Save your settings and API key locally on your device.
• activeTab: Access the current YouTube tab to display the fact-checking sidebar.
• scripting: Inject the sidebar UI, toast alerts, and timeline flags into YouTube pages.
• webNavigation: Detect YouTube's single-page app navigations between videos.
• alarms: Schedule periodic cleanup of cached data.
• Host permissions: Access YouTube pages and make direct API calls to supported AI providers.

7. Children's Privacy

FactWatch is a general-purpose browser extension and does not knowingly collect any data from children or any other users. Since no personal information is collected from anyone, no age-specific data handling applies.

8. Data Retention

All data is stored locally on your device within Chrome's extension storage. Uninstalling the extension removes all stored data. No data is retained on any external server.

9. Your Rights

Since FactWatch does not collect or store any personal data on any server, there is no user data to request, export, or delete from our side. All data resides on your device and is fully under your control. You can:

• View and modify your settings at any time in the extension
• Clear the claim cache from the Settings tab
• Remove all data by uninstalling the extension

10. Changes to This Policy

Any updates to this privacy policy will be posted at this URL and reflected in the Chrome Web Store listing. Continued use of the extension after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy, please open an issue on GitHub at github.com/Logandilts/factwatch/issues or contact us by email at dilts.logan@gmail.com.