Signal Layer — Privacy Policy

Version 2.0 · Effective date: June 2026 · Extension v0.6.1+

1. Overview

Signal Layer performs all content analysis locally inside your browser. No page content, browsing history, or personal data is ever collected or transmitted to the developer or any third party during normal analysis.

This policy describes all data practices of the Signal Layer Chrome extension, including the optional calibration feedback feature introduced in v0.4.0.

2. Data We Collect

Signal Layer operates in two distinct modes with different data practices:

Feature	Data Collected	Where It Goes
Page analysis (clicking "Analyze This Page")	None. Analysis runs entirely in your browser. No text, URL, or result leaves your device.	Stays on your device only.
Local cache (automatic, 24-hour)	Analysis results are stored in your browser's local storage (chrome.storage.local) so repeat visits load instantly.	Stored locally on your device. Never transmitted.
Calibration feedback (optional — clicking 👍 or 👎)	Page URL, computed Human Trace Score, your rating (accurate/inaccurate), and timestamp.	Sent to developer's Google Sheets via Google Apps Script for calibration purposes only.

The calibration feedback feature is strictly opt-in. No data is transmitted unless you explicitly click the 👍 or 👎 button. If you never click these buttons, zero data leaves your device.

3. How We Use Collected Data

The only data we receive is voluntary calibration feedback. It is used exclusively to:

Identify false positives and false negatives in the scoring algorithm
Calibrate detection thresholds across different content types and languages
Improve the accuracy of future versions

Feedback data is never used for advertising, profiling, or any commercial purpose.

4. Data Sharing and Third Parties

When you submit voluntary feedback, the data passes through the following parties:

Google LLC — feedback is received by a Google Apps Script endpoint and stored in Google Sheets. Google's privacy policy applies to this transmission: policies.google.com/privacy
The developer — reads the Google Sheet to perform calibration analysis.

No other third parties receive any data. The developer does not sell, rent, or share feedback data with any other party.

5. Permissions Used

Permission	Purpose	Data transmitted?
`activeTab`	Read the visible text of the tab you are currently viewing, only when you click "Analyze This Page"	No
`scripting`	Inject the local analysis script into the active tab	No
`storage`	Cache analysis results locally on your device (24-hour expiry, URL-keyed)	No

No background scripts run. The extension is inactive until you click its icon.

6. Data Retention

Local cache: stored in your browser and automatically deleted after 24 hours. You can clear it at any time via Chrome Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data.
Feedback data: retained in the developer's Google Sheet for as long as calibration records are needed. Rows contain only URL, score, rating, and timestamp — no personally identifiable information.

7. Children's Privacy

Signal Layer does not knowingly collect any information from children under the age of 13. The extension does not target children and contains no features directed at minors.

8. Disclaimer on Scores

Signal Layer is a heuristic statistical tool. The Human Trace Score reflects linguistic and structural text patterns — it is not a definitive proof of AI authorship. Scores must not be used as the sole basis for academic, disciplinary, or legal decisions.

9. Changes to This Policy

If we make material changes to how data is collected or used, we will update the effective date at the top of this page. Continued use of the extension after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact

For privacy-related questions, please contact the developer through the Chrome Web Store listing page for Signal Layer.