Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 6, 2025

Introduction

ScamShield ("we", "our", or "the extension") is committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy policy explains how our browser extension collects, uses, and protects your information.

Data Collection

What We Collect

ScamShield collects and stores the following data locally on your device only:

• Job Listing Data: Text content from job postings you view, including job titles, company names, descriptions, and requirements - used solely for scam detection analysis
• Scan Statistics: Aggregate counts of pages scanned, scams detected, and reports submitted
• User Settings: Your preferences for protection level, notifications, auto-scan, and other feature toggles
• Job History: Records of job postings you've viewed to detect repeatedly posted "ghost jobs"
• Scam Reports: Anonymous reports of detected scams (only if you enable anonymous reporting in settings)

What We DO NOT Collect

• Personal identification information (name, email, phone number, address)
• Browsing history outside of supported job platforms
• Passwords or login credentials
• Financial information
• Location data beyond what's visible in job postings
• Data from websites other than the supported job platforms listed in our manifest

How We Use Your Data

All data collected is used exclusively for:

• Scam Detection: Analyzing job postings to identify fraudulent listings and protect you from scams
• Pattern Recognition: Detecting ghost jobs, fake jobs, and phantom jobs through historical tracking
• User Experience: Remembering your settings and preferences
• Statistics: Providing you with insights about your protection (pages scanned, scams blocked)

Data Storage

• All data is stored locally on your device using Chrome's local storage API
• No data is transmitted to external servers or third parties
• No cloud synchronization - your data stays on your device
• Data persists until you uninstall the extension or manually clear your browser data

Data Sharing

We do not share, sell, or transmit your data to any third parties. Period.

• No analytics services
• No advertising networks
• No data brokers
• No external servers

The extension operates entirely offline using local processing.

Anonymous Scam Reporting

If you enable "Anonymous Scam Reporting" in settings:

• Scam reports are stored locally only on your device
• Reports contain: job title, company name, risk level, detected patterns, and URL
• Reports are never transmitted externally - they remain on your device for your reference
• You can disable this feature at any time in the extension settings

Permissions Justification

ScamShield requests the following permissions:

• activeTab: To read and analyze job posting content on the pages you're viewing
• storage: To save your settings, scan history, and statistics locally on your device
• tabs: To monitor job listing pages and synchronize protection across multiple tabs
• scripting: To inject detection scripts that analyze job postings and display warnings
• notifications: To alert you when high-risk scams are detected
• host_permissions: To access and analyze job listings on supported platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, Monster, CareerBuilder, Dice, and Wellfound

Data Security

• All data processing occurs locally on your device
• No network requests are made to external servers
• The extension code is static and does not download or execute remote code
• Your data is protected by your browser's security features

Data Retention

• Settings: Retained until you change them or uninstall the extension
• Statistics: Retained until you clear them or uninstall the extension
• Job History: Retained indefinitely to improve ghost job detection (you can clear this in settings)
• Scan Results: Not permanently stored - only displayed during active scans

Your Rights and Control

You have complete control over your data:

• View: Check your statistics in the extension popup
• Modify: Change settings at any time
• Delete: Clear all data by uninstalling the extension or clearing browser data
• Opt-out: Disable specific features (auto-scan, notifications, anonymous reporting) in settings

Children's Privacy

ScamShield is intended for job seekers (typically 16+ years old) and does not knowingly collect data from children under 13.

Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy occasionally. Changes will be reflected in the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the extension after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Third-Party Services

ScamShield does not use any third-party services, analytics, or tracking tools.

Compliance

This extension complies with:

• Chrome Web Store Developer Program Policies
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) principles
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) principles

Contact Information

For questions or concerns about this privacy policy or data practices, please contact us through the Chrome Web Store support page.