Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 1, 2026

AutoText ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Chrome browser extension.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Username
• Password (encrypted and securely stored)
• Authentication tokens

1.2 User-Generated Content

We collect and store the text shortcuts and expansions that you create, including:

• Shortcut keys (trigger words)
• Expansion text (plain text and HTML formatted content)
• Organization of shortcuts into sets
• Metadata (creation date, last modified date)

1.3 Usage Information

We automatically collect certain information about your use of the extension:

• Synchronization timestamps
• Selected shortcut sets
• Extension configuration preferences

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide core functionality: Enable text expansion and synchronization across your devices
• User authentication: Verify your identity and maintain your session
• Data synchronization: Keep your shortcuts up-to-date across all your devices
• Service improvement: Monitor and improve the extension's performance and reliability
• Technical support: Respond to your support requests and technical issues

3. Data Storage and Security

We take data security seriously:

• Local Storage: Shortcuts are cached locally in your browser's storage for offline access
• Server Storage: Your data is stored on secure servers with encryption at rest
• Transmission Security: All data transmission uses HTTPS encryption
• Password Protection: Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms
• Access Control: Only you can access your shortcuts unless you explicitly share them

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• With your consent: When you explicitly share shortcut sets with other users
• Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation
• Service protection: To protect the rights, property, or safety of AutoText, our users, or the public

5. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and all associated data
• Export: Download your shortcuts in a portable format
• Opt-out: Stop using the extension at any time by uninstalling it

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. When you delete your account:

• All your shortcuts and personal data are permanently deleted from our servers
• Locally cached data is removed when you uninstall the extension
• Backups are purged within 30 days

7. Children's Privacy

AutoText is not intended for use by children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

9. Third-Party Services

AutoText does not integrate with or share data with third-party analytics or advertising services. The extension operates independently without external tracking.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:

• Posting the new Privacy Policy on this page
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending a notification through the extension (for significant changes)

11. Browser Permissions

AutoText requires the following Chrome permissions:

• Storage: To save your shortcuts locally for offline access
• Alarms: For periodic synchronization of shortcuts
• Notifications: To inform you about sync status and important updates
• Clipboard Write: To copy expanded text to clipboard when needed

11.1 Why We Need Access to All Websites ("All URLs" Permission)

AutoText is a global text expansion tool that works by detecting when you type a shortcut (like "addr") and replacing it with your saved expansion (like your full address). For this to work, the extension must be able to:

• Detect keystrokes: Listen for the trigger key (Tab) in any text input field
• Read text before cursor: Check if the text you just typed matches one of your shortcuts
• Replace text: Substitute the shortcut with your saved expansion

What we DO with this permission:

• Run a content script that listens for your shortcuts in text fields
• Replace matched shortcuts with your saved expansions
• Show visual feedback when an expansion occurs

What we DO NOT do with this permission:

• Read, collect, or transmit any content from web pages
• Track your browsing history or behavior
• Access passwords, form data, or sensitive information
• Modify web page content (except for text replacement in input fields)
• Inject advertisements or third-party scripts

The extension only activates when you press the trigger key (Tab) in a text input field, and only processes the text immediately before your cursor to check for shortcut matches. No other page content is ever read or transmitted.

These permissions are used solely for the extension's core functionality and not for data collection or tracking.

12. Contact Us

13. Compliance

This Privacy Policy complies with:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
• Chrome Web Store Developer Program Policies

By using AutoText, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.