A Chrome extension privacy policy template should include seven core sections: what data your extension collects, how it uses that data, whether it shares data with third parties, how data is stored and secured, how users can request deletion, your contact information, and the effective date. For extensions subject to GDPR, add your legal basis for processing and EU user rights. For Chrome Web Store compliance, your policy must match your data handling certification in the Developer Dashboard exactly.
Writing a privacy policy from scratch for your Chrome extension is tedious. You need to cover Chrome Web Store requirements, permissions disclosures, data handling specifics, and potentially GDPR and CCPA compliance. Missing any of these can get your extension rejected during review or removed from the store after publication.
This page provides a complete, free template that you can copy, customize for your specific extension, and publish today. The template covers every section the Chrome Web Store expects, follows Web Store privacy requirements, and includes optional GDPR and CCPA sections for extensions with users in regulated regions.
If you want to understand the full context of why Chrome extensions need privacy policies and what triggers the requirement, read the complete Chrome extension privacy policy guide first. This page focuses specifically on giving you a ready-to-use template and showing you how to customize it.
What Your Template Must Include
Every Chrome extension privacy policy needs to cover specific areas. The Chrome Web Store review team checks for these sections, and missing any of them is one of the most common reasons extensions get rejected. Here is the complete checklist of required and recommended sections.
Required Sections
- Data collection statement: What personal or sensitive data your extension collects, including data accessed through Chrome permissions, content scripts, and any APIs your extension calls.
- Purpose of data use: Why your extension collects each type of data. Every data point must have a clear purpose tied to your extension's functionality.
- Third-party sharing: Whether your extension shares data with any third parties, who those parties are, and why data is shared. If you use analytics, advertising, or external APIs, this must be disclosed.
- Data storage and security: How and where data is stored (chrome.storage.local, chrome.storage.sync, remote servers) and what security measures are in place.
- Data deletion and user rights: How users can request deletion of their data. For extensions using chrome.storage, explain how to clear extension data. For server-side data, provide a deletion process.
- Contact information: A way for users to reach you with privacy questions. An email address is the minimum requirement.
- Effective date: When the policy was last updated. This helps users and reviewers verify the policy is current.
Recommended Additional Sections
- Permissions disclosure: A table or list mapping each Chrome permission your extension requests to what data it accesses and why.
- GDPR compliance section: Legal basis for processing, data retention periods, and EU user rights including access, rectification, and erasure.
- CCPA compliance section: Categories of personal information collected and the right to opt out of data sales.
- Limited Use compliance statement: If your extension is subject to Google's Limited Use requirements, an explicit statement of compliance.
Did you know?
The Chrome Web Store review team uses automated checks to compare your privacy policy content against your data handling certification. If your certification declares that you collect web history but your privacy policy does not mention browsing data, the mismatch will flag your extension for manual review and likely rejection. Your template must cover every data type you declare in the Dashboard.
Full Template Preview
Below is the complete privacy policy template with each section shown. Bracketed text like [Your Extension Name] indicates placeholders you need to replace with your specific details. Remove any sections that do not apply to your extension.
Privacy Policy for [Your Extension Name]
Effective Date: [Date]
1. Introduction
This privacy policy describes how [Your Extension Name] ("the Extension") collects, uses, stores, and shares data. The Extension is a Chrome browser extension available through the Chrome Web Store. By installing and using the Extension, you agree to the data practices described in this policy.
2. Data We Collect
The Extension collects the following types of data:
- [Data type 1, e.g., "URLs of pages you visit when you activate the Extension"]
- [Data type 2, e.g., "User preferences and settings stored locally"]
- [Data type 3, e.g., "Anonymous usage statistics"]
The Extension does NOT collect: [list data types you do not collect, e.g., "passwords, financial information, personal communications, or health data"].
3. How We Use Your Data
We use the collected data for the following purposes:
- [Purpose 1, e.g., "To provide the Extension's core functionality"]
- [Purpose 2, e.g., "To save your preferences across sessions"]
- [Purpose 3, e.g., "To improve the Extension based on usage patterns"]
We do NOT use your data for advertising, marketing unrelated to the Extension, or any purpose not listed above.
4. Third-Party Data Sharing
[Option A: "The Extension does not share your data with any third parties."]
[Option B: "The Extension shares data with the following third-party services: [Service Name] for [purpose]. These services have their own privacy policies governing how they handle data."]
5. Data Storage and Security
[Option A: "All data is stored locally on your device using chrome.storage.local. No data is transmitted to external servers."]
[Option B: "Data is stored using chrome.storage.sync, which syncs data across your signed-in Chrome browsers via your Google account. Additionally, [describe any server-side storage]."]
We implement [describe security measures, e.g., "encryption in transit via HTTPS for any server communication"] to protect your data.
6. Your Rights and Data Deletion
You can delete all Extension data at any time by [describe deletion method, e.g., "uninstalling the Extension, which removes all locally stored data" or "using the clear data button in the Extension settings"]. To request deletion of any server-side data, contact us at [your email].
7. GDPR Compliance (EU Users)
If you are located in the European Union, we process your data under the legal basis of [legitimate interest / consent / contract performance]. You have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, and port your data. To exercise these rights, contact us at [your email].
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted at this URL with an updated effective date. Continued use of the Extension after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
9. Contact Us
If you have questions about this privacy policy or the Extension's data practices, contact us at: [your email address].
This template gives you the foundation. The next section walks you through exactly how to customize each section for different types of Chrome extensions.
Q: Can I remove sections from the template that do not apply to my extension?
Yes. If your extension does not share data with third parties, you should still include section 4 but state clearly that no data is shared. If your extension has no EU users, the GDPR section is optional but recommended since Chrome extensions are available globally. Remove sections only if they are truly irrelevant. When in doubt, keep them.
Q: Should I add sections not covered in this template?
If your extension does something unusual, like processing biometric data, handling payments, or collecting data from children, you need additional sections. This template covers the standard Chrome extension use cases. Extensions with specialized data handling should add sections specific to their needs and consider legal review.
How to Customize the Template
The template above is a starting point. To make it compliant and accurate for your specific Chrome extension, follow these six steps. Each step tells you what to look for in your extension and what to change in the template.
Audit your manifest.json permissions
Open your manifest.json and list every permission under "permissions", "optional_permissions", and "host_permissions". Each permission determines what data your extension can access. This list drives the content of sections 2, 3, and 5 in the template. If you request the "tabs" permission, for example, section 2 must mention access to tab URLs and titles.
Map your data flows from collection to storage
Trace every piece of data your extension touches. What does the content script read from pages? What does the service worker process? What goes into chrome.storage? What is sent to any server or API? For each data flow, note the data type, where it originates, where it ends up, and whether it leaves the user's device. This information fills in every placeholder in the template.
Replace all placeholders with your specifics
Go through the template and replace every bracketed placeholder. Replace [Your Extension Name] with your actual extension name. Replace the example data types with the real data your extension collects. Replace example purposes with your actual purposes. If a section offers Option A and Option B, choose the one that matches your extension and delete the other.
Add your permissions disclosure table
Use the permissions disclosure table format from the section below to add a clear mapping of each Chrome permission to what data it accesses. This is not strictly required by the Web Store, but it demonstrates transparency and helps reviewers understand your extension faster. See the permissions disclosure table section for the format.
Add GDPR and CCPA sections if applicable
If your extension has users in the EU, keep and customize the GDPR section. Add your specific legal basis for processing (consent, legitimate interest, or contract performance), your data retention period, and detail user rights. If you have California users, add a CCPA section covering categories of personal information and the right to opt out. See our GDPR privacy policy template for the full GDPR section format.
Verify against your data handling certification
Before publishing, compare your finished privacy policy against the data handling certification you will fill out in the Chrome Web Store Developer Dashboard. Every data type you declare in the certification must appear in your policy. Every data type in your policy should match what you certify. Mismatches between the two are one of the top reasons extensions get flagged during review.
Did you know?
Extensions that include a permissions disclosure table in their privacy policy tend to pass the Chrome Web Store review process faster. Google reviewers check that your declared permissions match your policy disclosures. A clear table mapping each permission to its data access makes this verification straightforward, reducing the chances of your extension being held for additional manual review.
Permissions Disclosure Table
Include a table like this in your privacy policy to map each Chrome permission your extension requests to the data it accesses, why your extension needs it, and whether that data leaves the user's device. Replace the example entries with your actual permissions.
| Permission | Data Accessed | Why We Need It | Data Leaves Device? |
|---|---|---|---|
| activeTab | Current page URL and content when you click the extension | [e.g., "To extract the article text for summarization"] | [Yes/No, and where] |
| storage | Extension settings and saved preferences | [e.g., "To save your settings between browser sessions"] | [No (local) / Yes (sync)] |
| tabs | URLs and titles of open tabs | [e.g., "To identify duplicate tabs for cleanup"] | [Yes/No, and where] |
| cookies | Browser cookies for specified domains | [e.g., "To manage login sessions across sites"] | [Yes/No, and where] |
| history | Browsing history and visit frequency | [e.g., "To show your most visited sites on the new tab page"] | [Yes/No, and where] |
| identity | Google account email and profile info | [e.g., "To authenticate you with our backend service"] | [Yes/No, and where] |
| webRequest | Network request URLs, headers, and content | [e.g., "To block tracking scripts on web pages"] | [Yes/No, and where] |
| <all_urls> | Page content on all websites | [e.g., "To apply dark mode styling to every page you visit"] | [Yes/No, and where] |
Only include the permissions your extension actually requests. Delete rows for permissions your extension does not use. If your extension uses host permissions for specific domains instead of <all_urls>, replace the last row with those specific domains and explain what your content scripts do on those sites.
The "Data Leaves Device?" column is particularly important. If any data is transmitted to a remote server, you must disclose the server, its purpose, and what security measures protect the data in transit. This is a common point of failure in Chrome Web Store reviews. For a deeper understanding of which permissions trigger the privacy policy requirement, see the do Chrome extensions need a privacy policy guide.
Web Store Compliance Checklist
Before submitting your extension, run through this checklist to confirm your privacy policy meets all Chrome Web Store requirements. Every item must be addressed for your extension to pass review.
Privacy policy is hosted at a publicly accessible URL that does not require a login to view
Privacy policy URL is entered in the Developer Dashboard under the Privacy tab or Store Listing section
Policy lists every type of data your extension collects, including data accessed through permissions
Policy explains the purpose for collecting each data type, tied to extension functionality
Policy discloses all third-party services that receive user data, or states that no data is shared
Policy describes how data is stored (locally, synced, server-side) and what security measures protect it
Policy explains how users can delete their data, including both local and server-side data
Policy includes your contact information (at minimum, an email address) for privacy inquiries
Data handling certification in the Developer Dashboard matches your privacy policy exactly
Extension only requests permissions it actively uses; no unused permissions remain in manifest.json
If subject to Limited Use or Restricted Use, policy includes an explicit compliance statement
Policy includes an effective date and is written in clear, understandable language
Did you know?
Google has increased the frequency of compliance re-reviews for published extensions. Even if your extension passed review initially, it can be flagged and removed later if your privacy policy becomes outdated or inaccurate. Keeping your policy current with every extension update is not optional. Treat your privacy policy as part of your release checklist, just like testing your code before publishing.
If your extension handles data covered by GDPR requirements for Chrome extensions, add the GDPR-specific items to this checklist: legal basis for processing, data retention period, and a section on EU user rights.
Common Template Mistakes
Using a template saves time, but only if you avoid these common mistakes that cause extensions to get rejected during Chrome Web Store review.
Mistake: Leaving placeholder text in the published policy
The most common mistake. Developers copy a template, replace some placeholders, and miss others. Your published policy ends up with text like "[Your Extension Name]" or "[describe your data types]" still visible. Chrome Web Store reviewers check for this. Search your final policy for every bracket character before publishing. If any placeholder text remains, your extension will be rejected.
Mistake: Using a generic website privacy policy template
A website privacy policy template covers cookies, analytics, and web forms. It does not cover Chrome permissions, manifest.json declarations, chrome.storage, content scripts, service workers, or the data handling certification. Chrome extensions have fundamentally different data access patterns than websites. Your policy must be written for an extension, not adapted from a website template.
Mistake: Claiming "we do not collect any data" when you do
Some developers add a one-line policy saying their extension collects no data, even when it clearly does. If your extension requests permissions that access user data, stating that you collect nothing is a direct contradiction. Google compares your policy text against your declared permissions. This mismatch will get your extension rejected or removed. Be honest about what your extension accesses, even if the data never leaves the user's device.
Mistake: Copying another extension's privacy policy
Copying another developer's policy creates two problems. First, their policy describes their extension's data handling, not yours. The specific data types, permissions, third-party services, and storage methods will be different. Second, copying a privacy policy can be copyright infringement. Learn more about why copying privacy policies is risky. Use a template instead, and customize it for your specific extension.
Mistake: Not updating the policy when the extension changes
Your privacy policy is not a one-time document. Every time you add permissions, integrate a new third-party service, change how data is stored, or modify data flows, your policy must be updated to reflect those changes. Submitting an extension update with new permissions but an unchanged privacy policy will trigger review issues. Your policy and your data handling certification must stay in sync with your extension's actual behavior at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a free Chrome extension privacy policy template legally valid?
A free template can be legally valid if you customize it to accurately reflect your extension's actual data handling. The key is accuracy, not where the template came from. A template filled in with truthful, specific details is far better than no policy at all. Extensions handling sensitive data like health or financial information should have their policy reviewed by a legal professional.
What sections must a Chrome extension privacy policy template include?
Your template must include: what data your extension collects, how it uses that data, whether it shares data with third parties, how data is stored and secured, how users can delete their data, your contact information, and the effective date. GDPR-subject extensions also need a legal basis, data retention periods, and EU user rights. The policy must match your Chrome Web Store data handling certification.
Can I use one template for multiple Chrome extensions?
You can use the same template structure, but each extension needs its own customized version. Every extension requests different permissions, handles different data, and may use different third-party services. Using an identical generic policy across extensions that behave differently will cause issues during Chrome Web Store review.
How do I customize a template for my specific extension?
Start by auditing your manifest.json to identify every permission. Then trace your data flows: what is read, stored, sent to servers, or shared with third parties. Replace every placeholder in the template with your specific details. Remove sections that do not apply. Verify that your final policy matches your data handling certification in the Developer Dashboard.
Does my Chrome extension privacy policy need to mention GDPR?
If any of your users are in the EU or EEA, yes. GDPR applies based on where users are located, not where you are based. Since Chrome extensions are globally available, most will have EU users. Your policy should include a legal basis for processing, retention info, and EU user rights including access, rectification, and erasure.
Where should I host my Chrome extension privacy policy?
Host it at a publicly accessible URL that requires no login. Common options include your personal or company website, a GitHub Pages site, a Google Sites page, or any static hosting service. The URL must remain live for as long as your extension is published. You enter this URL in the Developer Dashboard, and it appears on your extension's store listing.
How often should I update my Chrome extension privacy policy?
Update it whenever your extension's data handling changes: new permissions, new third-party services, different storage methods, or new data types collected. Also review when privacy laws change or Google updates Web Store policies. At minimum, review your policy with every extension update that modifies permissions or data flows.
Related Resources
Privacy Policy for Chrome Extensions
Complete guide to Chrome extension privacy requirements
Chrome Web Store Privacy Requirements
Everything the Web Store requires for compliance
Do Chrome Extensions Need a Privacy Policy?
Which permissions trigger the requirement
Chrome Extension GDPR Compliance
GDPR requirements specific to browser extensions
GDPR Privacy Policy Template
All 12 required GDPR sections with a compliant template
Privacy Policy for Websites
Complete guide to website privacy requirements
Privacy Policy for Apps
App store requirements for mobile and desktop applications
What Happens Without a Privacy Policy
Real consequences of operating without one
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