Effective: September 20, 2026. This policy describes the free Shortscope Chrome extension. Contact: punk4web@gmail.com.
Shortscope stores your chosen channels, public video and channel statistics, saved observations, favorites, research topics, notes, language and preferences in local Chrome extension storage in your browser profile. An optional YouTube API key is stored separately and excluded from backup exports. The free release does not create a Shortscope account, collect payments, or contact a licensing service.
The extension runs on YouTube pages to display the optional homepage research feed and a button to research related channels. When you use that button, it reads the current YouTube video identifier to request public metadata and suggest a search topic. It does not collect general browsing history or record video playback.
Channel handles, video identifiers and search queries are sent to YouTube to provide research features. If you configure a YouTube API key, it is sent to Google's YouTube Data API with the requests it authorizes. Thumbnails load from YouTube image servers. These providers receive network information such as your IP address as part of normal HTTPS requests and apply their own privacy policies. Shortscope does not send your research notes or local backup files to its developer.
If you add your own channel, its public name, handle, channel identifier and avatar are stored as part of your workspace. The contextual research feature processes the current YouTube video identifier when you request it. This is limited YouTube page context, not a log of your browsing history across websites.
Data is used to provide channel research, matching suggestions, local metrics and saved research. The free release includes no advertising, advertising trackers or developer analytics. We do not sell personal data or use it for targeted advertising. Shortscope uses and transfers user data only as permitted by the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including its Limited Use requirements. We do not use or transfer user data for creditworthiness or lending purposes.
You can change your niche and preferences, remove your API key, delete research plans, remove favorites and move channels to Trash. Moving a channel to Trash hides it and stops scans but retains saved data so it can be restored. Local data remains until you remove it or uninstall the extension. Exported JSON backups and CSV files remain wherever you save them; you control their storage and sharing. Uninstalling the extension does not delete previously exported files.
If you email support, we receive the information and attachments you choose to send and use them to respond. Do not send passwords, API keys or private identity documents. You may request deletion of support correspondence by emailing punk4web@gmail.com, subject to any retention obligations.
External data requests use HTTPS. API keys remain in trusted extension storage rather than content scripts. No storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. If a future release adds accounts or subscriptions, the related processing will be disclosed before those features are enabled and this policy will be updated.
Provider reference: Google Privacy Policy.