this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2026
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Privacy

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How do you evaluate a browser extension for privacy/security? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 day ago by ladybugs@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.world
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Sorry if this is a dumb question, I'm not a tech/IT person and am very early in my privacy journey.

I was going to install a web clipper browser extension that works with a notes app I'm trying out, but the installation page says it isn't actively monitored for security by the organization behind my browser. The extension requires access to your data for all websites. However, the page also says that they don't share data with any third party and don't have access to this data themselves. What level of privacy risk am I taking on with this extension?

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[–] CameronDev@programming.dev 0 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Privacy policies are entirely voluntary. No one validates them, they are meaningless.

Edit: For anyone who thinks this is wrong, feel free to explain your reasoning. I have written two privacy policies for 2 separate apps, neither of them realistically restrict what I can do with the data that I manage. All google and discord care about is that the policy exists, they don't verify that I am following them. Anyone with malicious intent isnt going to be affected by a privacy policy.

[–] IndianaJones@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

True, however, if it turns out (ie gets leaked or proven) that this company doesn't follow their Privacy Policy, it is a very bad look for them and subjects them to fines (or other punishments) from DPA's.

[–] CameronDev@programming.dev 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Malicious actors simply don't care about that though. They are either small fly by night operations that will just phoenix and restart under a new name, or they are huge like google, who have the resources to turn the fines and punishments into slaps on the wrist.

Privacy policies only hold honest operations to account, everyone else is free to do what they like.

[–] IndianaJones@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago

Google has everything that they do listed in their Privacy Policy, you may not like it but its all in there. A small malicious company might not care so much indeed.