Privacy Policy

Last updated: 2026-08-13

Readow is a local-first browser extension. We do not collect, transmit, sell, or share any data. There are no analytics, no tracking, and no Readow servers.

What stays on your device

Documents. Markdown files you open (local files, folders, URLs) are read and rendered entirely inside your browser. They are never uploaded anywhere.
Settings. Stored via your browser's extension storage (chrome.storage.sync), which your browser may sync between your own devices signed into your browser profile.
Highlights, notes, reading positions, recent files, folder access grants. Stored locally in the extension's IndexedDB.

Network requests the extension makes

Fetching a Markdown document you open by URL (e.g. a raw GitHub link).
Loading remote images referenced inside documents you open.
AI assist (optional, off by default). If you choose the Claude provider and enter your own API key, the question you type plus relevant excerpts of the open document are sent directly from your browser to api.anthropic.com. Your key is stored in extension storage and sent nowhere else. If you choose Chrome's built-in AI, processing happens on-device and nothing is sent over the network.

Permissions explained

Access to file URLs — to render your local Markdown files.
storage / unlimitedStorage — settings, highlights, reading positions.
activeTab + scripting — only when you invoke Reader Mode, to extract the article from the page you're viewing.
contextMenus — the right-click "Open in Readow" items.
sidePanel — the browser side panel listing your workspace files.

Data sharing

None. Readow has no backend and no third-party analytics. The only data leaving your browser is what you explicitly open (a document URL, its images) or explicitly enable (optional AI assist with your own key).

Contact

Questions or issues? Open an issue on the project repository, or reach out via the contact listed on the Chrome Web Store listing.

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