Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

When you create an account or sign in, we collect your chosen User ID, optional display name, and optional email address. If you authenticate via Google OAuth (available through the Chrome extension), we receive your Google account email and profile name solely for the purpose of creating and identifying your account.

1.2 Content You Save

When you save content to your pinboard, we collect the data you explicitly choose to save, including:

• Text selections from web pages
• Images you choose to save
• URLs and web links
• Page metadata (title, URL, favicon) associated with saved content

1.3 Chat and Conversation Data

When you interact with the AI chat feature, we collect your messages, the AI-generated responses, and any traits or preferences derived from your conversations to personalize your experience. Your messages are processed by third-party AI providers (see Section 5).

1.4 Voice Data

If you use voice input, audio from your microphone is recorded and sent to our servers for transcription. Audio is processed in real time and is not stored after transcription is complete.

1.5 Usage and Analytics Data

We use Amplitude to collect anonymized usage data such as feature interactions, session information, and error events. No personal content (saved text, chat messages, or URLs) is sent to analytics services.

2. Chrome Extension Permissions

The dEssence browser extension requests the following permissions and uses them strictly as described:

• Storage — saves your session credentials and preferences locally in Chrome's built-in storage.
• Tabs & Active Tab — identifies the current page's URL and title when you initiate a save action.
• Scripting — enables content capture (text selection, region capture) on the active page only when you explicitly trigger a save.
• Side Panel — displays the dEssence interface in Chrome's side panel.
• Context Menus — adds "Save to Pinboard" options to the right-click menu.
• Identity — enables sign-in via Google OAuth within the extension, using Chrome's built-in identity API. We only request your basic profile information (email and name).

The extension's content script runs on all URLs solely to enable save functionality when you choose to use it. It does not passively monitor, record, or transmit your browsing activity.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and operate the Service, including AI-powered search and content organization
• Authenticate your identity and maintain your session securely
• Personalize your experience based on your saved content and conversation history
• Process your chat messages through AI providers to generate responses
• Improve and develop new features for the Service
• Diagnose technical issues and maintain service reliability

4. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored on servers hosted by Vultr, located in the United States. We implement industry-standard security measures — including encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS) and access controls — to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.

Locally, the extension stores minimal session data (authentication tokens, User ID, and profile ID) using Chrome's built-in storage API. This data remains on your device and is not shared with third parties.

5. Third-Party Services and AI Providers

To provide AI-powered features, your chat messages and saved content may be processed by the following third-party AI providers:

• OpenAI (openai.com) — Privacy Policy
• Anthropic (anthropic.com) — Privacy Policy
• Google AI (ai.google) — Privacy Policy

These providers process data under their own privacy policies and data processing agreements. We do not permit them to use your data to train their models beyond what is permitted under those agreements.

We also use:

• Amplitude — for anonymized product analytics
• Vultr — for cloud infrastructure and data hosting (USA)

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to any third party.

6. International Data Transfers

Our servers are located in the United States. If you are accessing the Service from outside the United States, your data will be transferred to and processed in the United States. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You can:

• Access and view all content saved to your pinboard and chat history at any time
• Delete individual pinboard items, chats, or conversations at any time
• Revoke Google OAuth access from your Google account settings at any time
• Choose not to use optional features such as voice input
• Request deletion of your account and all associated data by contacting us at dessenceai@gmail.com — we will process deletion within 30 days

8. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. Upon account deletion request, we will delete your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by applicable law.

9. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such data, we will delete it promptly.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy with a new "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at: dessenceai@gmail.com