Privacy Policy
Your privacy matters. Learn how Sidebrowser handles your data.
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Privacy by Design
Sidebrowser is built with privacy as a core principle. We believe your browsing data should stay with you, not on our servers.
We do not collect, store, or transmit any of your personal browsing data to external servers.
What Data We Collect
Local Storage Only
All your data is stored locally in your browser using Chrome's storage API. This includes:
- Bookmarked websites and categories
- Recent browsing history within the side panel
- User preferences and settings
- Custom wallpaper selections
Optional GitHub Gist Sync
If you choose to enable bookmark synchronization via GitHub Gist:
- Your bookmarks are encrypted and stored in your personal GitHub Gist
- We only access the Gist token you provide - we never see your GitHub password
- You maintain full control and can revoke access anytime
- This feature is entirely optional
Third-Party Content
The new tab page may display content from third-party services:
- Bing Daily Wallpapers: Images are fetched from Bing's public API
- Unsplash Photos: Random photos from Unsplash's public API
- Inspirational Quotes: Served from a public quote API
These services may have their own privacy policies. We recommend reviewing them if you have concerns.
What We Don't Do
No Analytics or Tracking: We don't use Google Analytics, tracking pixels, or any similar tools
No Data Selling: We will never sell your data to third parties
No External Servers: Your browsing data never leaves your device (except for optional GitHub sync)
No Ads: Sidebrowser is completely ad-free
Browser Permissions
Sidebrowser requires certain browser permissions to function. Here's why we need each one:
- Storage: To save your bookmarks, settings, and preferences locally
- Tabs: To integrate with your browser's tab system and enable right-click functionality
- Context Menus: To add "Open in Side Panel" option when you right-click
- Side Panel: To display websites in the browser side panel
All permissions are used solely for the extension's core functionality and never for data collection.
Your Rights
Since all data is stored locally on your device, you have complete control:
- Access: All your data is accessible through the extension's interface
- Deletion: You can delete individual items or clear all data through the extension settings
- Export: Your bookmarks can be exported via GitHub Gist sync
- Uninstall: Uninstalling the extension removes all local data
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how Sidebrowser handles your data, please reach out: