Read Aloud for Chrome Privacy Policy

This policy applies to Read Aloud for Chrome, developed by Softwarink. It does not apply to the separate Read Aloud for Windows application, which is not required to use the extension.

Information accessed

When you request reading, the extension accesses selected webpage text, source tab and frame identifiers for playback and highlighting, and available local computer voices. It also uses reading position, paragraph information, playback state, and speed preferences.

Local processing and speech

To identify the webpage used for reading, Read Aloud also keeps the most recently active normal-browser tab identifier in session storage as you switch tabs or windows. It does not record a browsing-history list, webpage URLs, or page titles. Highlighting also temporarily retains text-node references and associated text in the webpage's memory.

Read Aloud does not upload selected webpage text, reading-session information, or saved preferences to Softwarink or third-party servers.

Speech playback uses locally available voices through Chrome and the operating system. Selected text and reading-session information are not transmitted to Softwarink servers. The reviewed extension contains no analytics, advertising trackers, or remote telemetry and does not sell data or use it for advertising.

Storage and retention

Chrome session storage temporarily retains selected text, reading position, playback status, voice, speed, paragraph information, source tab identifiers, and notices. Stopping playback or closing the popup does not automatically erase selected text. Session storage clears when the browser restarts or the extension is disabled, reloaded, or updated.

Chrome local storage saves your voice preference, default speed, and automatic-close preference. These preferences remain until changed, cleared, or the extension is removed.

Permissions

• activeTab: Access user-authorized webpage text and highlight spoken words.
• scripting: Inject packaged selection-capture and highlighting functions.
• contextMenus: Provide the right-click Read Aloud command.
• storage: Save local preferences and temporarily retain reading-session information.
• tts: Access local voices and control text-to-speech playback.

Third parties and optional website link

No third-party analytics or tracking services were identified in the reviewed extension. The extension uses Chrome and operating-system text-to-speech services. Clicking “Powered by Softwarink” opens softwarink.com in a normal browser tab without sending selected text or reading-session information. The website has its own privacy practices.

Packaged code

All executable extension code is packaged locally. The extension does not load remote JavaScript or WebAssembly.

Chrome Web Store Limited Use

Read Aloud's use of information obtained through Chrome APIs is limited to providing the user-requested text-to-speech functionality.

The extension's use and transfer of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

Read Aloud for Chrome uses information accessed through Chrome APIs only to provide its reading, playback, highlighting, and preference features, consistent with the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy and Limited Use requirements. It does not use this information for advertising or sell it.