Privacy Policy
Last Updated: October 31, 2025
Our Privacy Principles
SmartSummarize is built on privacy-first principles:
- Minimal Data Collection: We collect only what's necessary
- Local-First Storage: Your data stays in your browser
- No User Accounts: No registration, no tracking
- Transparency: Clear disclosure of all data flows
What Data We Collect
Data We DO Collect:
1. Text/Video/Article Input for Summarization
- What: The text, YouTube URL, or article URL you submit for summarization
- Where: Sent to our API server, then to AI provider via Vercel AI Gateway
- Retention: Not stored on our servers, immediately discarded after processing
- Purpose: To generate your summary
2. Rate Limiting (IP Address)
- What: Your IP address (hashed)
- Where: Stored in server memory only (not database)
- Retention: Cleared after 24 hours
- Purpose: Prevent abuse, enforce daily usage limits (10 summaries/day)
3. Usage History (Client-Side Only)
- What: Your past summaries and preferences
- Where: Stored in YOUR browser using IndexedDB
- Retention: Until you clear browser data
- Purpose: Show your history, restore previous summaries
Data We DO NOT Collect:
- ❌ No user accounts or authentication
- ❌ No tracking cookies or analytics
- ❌ No email addresses or personal information
- ❌ No server-side storage of your summaries
- ❌ No third-party advertising trackers
Third-Party Services
Vercel AI Gateway (AI Providers)
- Provider: Multiple AI providers via Vercel AI Gateway (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google)
- Default Model: OpenAI GPT-5 Nano (configurable)
- Data Sent: Your text input, video transcript, or article content
- Purpose: AI-powered summarization
- Privacy Policies:OpenAI, Anthropic, Google
- Data Retention: AI providers do not train on API-submitted data
- Your Control: Data is sent only when you click "Summarize"
YouTube Transcript API
- Provider: Google/YouTube
- Data Sent: Video URL you provide
- Purpose: Extract video transcript for summarization
- Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy
- Your Control: Only used when you submit a YouTube URL
Your Data Rights
You Control Your Data:
- History Management: Clear your browser history anytime
- No Data Portability Needed: Your data never leaves your browser
- Deletion: Clear browser data to remove all local storage
- Opt-Out: Simply don't use the tool if you prefer not to share data with AI APIs
We Cannot:
- • Retrieve or view your saved summaries (they're only in your browser)
- • Link your usage across different browsers or devices
- • Identify you personally from IP-based rate limiting
Data Security
Our Security Measures:
- ✓ HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
- ✓ No server-side storage of summaries or user content
- ✓ Hashed IP addresses for rate limiting
- ✓ Regular security updates and dependency audits
Your Security:
- ✓ Your history is as secure as your browser's local storage
- ✓ Use incognito/private browsing for sensitive content
- ✓ Clear browser data to remove local history
Children's Privacy
SmartSummarize does not collect personal information from anyone, including children under 13. No age verification or accounts are required.
Changes to Privacy Policy
We may update this policy occasionally. Changes will be posted here with an updated "Last Updated" date.
Contact
SmartSummarize is committed to transparency and user privacy. If you have questions about how your data is handled, please review the sections above. All data processing is clearly described in this policy.
Summary
SmartSummarize prioritizes your privacy. Your summaries and data stay in your browser. We only send your text to AI APIs for processing, nothing is stored on our servers.