Privacy Policy
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Read Cost is a Chrome extension that shows the estimated reading time and dollar cost of articles and documentation pages.
The short version: We don't collect, store, or transmit any of your data. Everything happens locally in your browser.
What Data We Access
Read Cost accesses the following data solely within your browser:
- Your settings: The hourly rate, reading speed, and currency you configure are stored locally using Chrome's built-in storage API (
chrome.storage.local). They never leave your browser.
- Page text content: When you visit a web page, the extension reads the visible text content to count words and estimate reading time. This data is processed locally and is not stored or transmitted.
- Reading statistics: The extension tracks how many articles you view and their estimated reading time. This data is stored locally and never leaves your browser.
What Data We Collect
None. Read Cost does not collect, transmit, or store any personal data on external servers. Specifically:
- No analytics or tracking scripts
- No cookies
- No user accounts or sign-ups
- No network requests to external servers
- No browsing history collection
- No personally identifiable information (PII) is ever transmitted
- No page content is stored beyond the current session
Where Data Is Stored
Your settings (hourly rate, reading speed, currency, display preferences) and reading statistics are stored exclusively in your browser's local storage via chrome.storage.local. This data:
- Stays on your device
- Is only accessible to the Read Cost extension
- Can be deleted at any time by clearing the extension's data or uninstalling it
- Is not synced across devices
Third-Party Services
Read Cost does not use any third-party services, APIs, analytics platforms, or advertising networks.
Permissions Explained
- storage: Used to save your hourly rate, reading speed, currency, and display preferences locally.
- activeTab: Used to read text content from the currently active page to calculate reading time and cost.
- Host permission (all URLs): Allows the content script to run on any web page to detect article content and show the reading cost badge.
Children's Privacy
This extension is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect any information from children.
Changes to This Policy
If we make changes to this privacy policy, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.
Contact
If you have questions about this privacy policy, you can reach us at:
peakpostagent@gmail.com