Privacy Policy
Traceo Chrome Extension
Last updated: January 30, 2026
Overview
Traceo is a Chrome extension designed for CSS inspection and visual bug capture. It helps developers and designers inspect UI styles, extract design assets, take screenshots, and record screen activity.
All data processing happens locally on your device. Traceo does not transmit, sell, rent, or share any data with external servers or third parties.
Data Collection Summary
| Data Type | Collected? | Transmitted Externally? |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Information | No | No |
| Browsing History | No | No |
| Page Content | Only when you activate features | No |
| Screenshots / Recordings | Stored locally only | No |
| Analytics / Tracking | No | No |
Permission Justifications
Traceo requests browser permissions only to provide its core functionality.
Host Permissions (http://*/*, https://*/*)
Traceo requires access to websites you visit for the following reasons:
- CSS Inspector: To read computed styles (colors, spacing, fonts, layout) of elements you explicitly select.
- Screenshot Capture: To capture visible tab content when you initiate a screenshot.
- Video Recording: To inject recording controls and overlays during tab or desktop recording.
Important: Traceo only activates when you explicitly click the extension icon or interact with its UI. It does not run in the background or access page content without your direct action.
Required Permissions
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
| activeTab | Enables screenshot capture of the current tab |
| tabs | Manages tab state during recording sessions |
| scripting | Injects content scripts for inspector, screenshot, and recording features |
| sidePanel | Provides the persistent sidebar interface |
| storage | Stores user preferences and temporary state locally |
| alarms | Enables recording timers and safety resets (MV3 service worker) |
| windows | Supports desktop and window capture modes |
| clipboardWrite | Allows copying CSS values, colors, and screenshots to your clipboard |
Optional Permissions
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
| desktopCapture | Enables full desktop or window recording (requested only when selected by you) |
What Traceo Does NOT Do
- No data transmission to external servers
- No analytics, telemetry, or tracking
- No third-party integrations
- No remote or dynamically loaded code
- No background monitoring or hidden activity
- No accounts, sign-ups, or authentication
- No selling or sharing of user data
Screenshots and Recordings
When you capture a screenshot or record your screen:
- User-initiated only: Captures occur only when you click a button or start recording.
- Visible indicator: Active recordings display an on-screen control bar.
- Local storage: Temporary recording data is stored locally in your browser.
- Local download: Final screenshots or videos are saved directly to your device.
- No uploads: Traceo never uploads captures anywhere.
Recording Metadata
When creating a recording, Traceo stores the following metadata locally only and embeds it within the recording for your reference:
- Recording start time
- Recording mode (tab or desktop)
- Page URL and page title
- Screen or viewport dimensions
This metadata is never transmitted or shared.
Data Storage
Traceo uses the following browser storage mechanisms:
| Storage Type | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| chrome.storage.session | Recording and inspector state | Cleared when browser closes |
| chrome.storage.local | UI preferences (e.g., sidebar mode) | Until manually cleared |
| IndexedDB | Temporary video recording chunks | Cleared after recording completes |
Clearing Your Data
You can remove all Traceo data by:
- Uninstalling the extension
- Clearing extension data via Chrome settings
Third-Party Services
Traceo does not integrate with any third-party services:
- No analytics platforms (Google Analytics, Mixpanel, etc.)
- No crash reporting tools
- No cloud storage
- No authentication providers
Web Accessible Resources
Traceo exposes minimal internal UI resources required for its functionality:
floating.html– Floating toolbar interfaceannotation-modal.html– Screenshot annotation editorcontent/video-recording.js– Recording controls overlay
These resources are accessible only to the Traceo extension itself and do not expose or share any user data with websites.
Security Measures
Traceo follows strong security best practices:
- Strict Content Security Policy: Only extension-bundled scripts are allowed
- Message validation: All internal messages are verified to originate from Traceo
- No eval() or dynamic execution
- Input sanitization: Prevents XSS and injection issues
- Minimal permissions: Only what is required for functionality
Children's Privacy
Traceo does not knowingly collect any information from children under the age of 13. The extension is intended for developers, designers, and QA professionals.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy as Traceo evolves. Updates will be reflected on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. Continued use of Traceo constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Your Rights
Because Traceo stores all data locally on your device:
- Access: You can inspect stored data via Chrome DevTools
- Delete: You can remove all data by uninstalling the extension
- Export: Screenshots and recordings are saved directly to your device
Open Source
Traceo's source code is available for inspection. You are free to review how the extension works and verify all privacy claims.
Summary
Traceo is a privacy-first Chrome extension. It processes everything locally, collects no personal data, uses no analytics, and never transmits information externally. Your inspected styles, screenshots, and recordings remain fully under your control on your own device.
Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or Traceo's data practices:
- Email: cs@traceo.app
- Website: https://traceo.dev