Effective 15 July 2026 · Applies to ReadAloud AI 2.1
1. Browser/System narration
In Browser/System mode, ReadAloud AI passes each short text part to the Web Speech voice selected in Chrome or your operating system. ReadAloud AI does not send that text to the cloud speech endpoint used by Cloud Neural mode.
A browser-managed or operating-system voice may use its provider’s own network service. That processing is controlled by the browser, operating system and voice provider rather than by ReadAloud AI.
2. Optional cloud narration
Cloud Neural mode sends short parts of readable page text or selected text to Microsoft’s speech service at speech.platform.bing.com. Microsoft returns generated audio for playback. This transfer occurs only after you accept the in-extension cloud disclosure. Microsoft’s terms and privacy practices apply to its processing.
If cloud synthesis fails and automatic fallback is enabled, ReadAloud AI switches to a Browser/System voice.
3. What the extension stores
ReadAloud AI stores these preferences in Chrome’s local extension storage:
- narration mode and selected voice;
- rate, pitch, volume, fallback, word-highlighting and scrolling preferences; and
- the version of the cloud disclosure you accepted.
Current playback status, progress, article title and performance timing are kept in Chrome’s session storage and are not intended to survive a browser restart. Article text, selected text and generated audio are not written to extension storage.
4. On-page highlighting
When word highlighting is enabled, the extension locally compares extracted narration text with visible text nodes in the active page. It paints a temporary browser highlight range and may scroll that range into view. This does not send extra data to a server, rewrite the page’s text or store the alignment after narration ends.
5. Collection and sharing
The ReadAloud AI extension does not operate an analytics server, advertising system, account system or developer-operated storage server. It does not sell personal data. Page text is shared with Microsoft only when needed to provide optional Cloud Neural narration as described above.
6. Why the permissions are needed
- Active tab and scripting: find readable text and paint temporary highlights after you invoke the extension.
- Storage: remember settings and keep transient playback state.
- Offscreen: keep narration working reliably outside the popup.
- Side panel: provide persistent reading controls.
- Context menus: narrate a selected passage.
- Speech host access: connect only to the disclosed Microsoft speech WebSocket when Cloud Neural mode is used.
7. Your choices
Select Browser/System mode before narration to avoid ReadAloud AI’s cloud speech path. You can stop playback at any time. Uninstalling the extension removes its extension storage; Chrome also lets you clear extension data through browser settings.
8. Children
ReadAloud AI is a general-purpose reading tool and is not directed to children under 13. The extension does not knowingly collect account or profile information from children.
9. Changes and contact
Material changes will appear here with a new effective date. If a cloud data flow changes, the extension should ask for consent again. For privacy questions, use the support contact on the store listing or Support email will be published before launch.
10. Website feedback and voluntary support
The website feedback form asks for a feedback category and message, with optional page address, browser details and reply email. Until you press send, the answers remain in your browser. When you submit the form, those fields are sent over HTTPS to Web3Forms, which processes the submission and forwards it to the ReadAloud AI feedback inbox.
Web3Forms acts as a form-processing provider. Its current policy states that submissions may be retained according to the account plan, up to a maximum of three years, and that data may be processed internationally under stated safeguards. Its spam providers may process the submitter’s IP address and, when supplied, email address. Read the Web3Forms privacy policy before sending feedback. Do not submit passwords, private article text, health information or other sensitive material.
Voluntary contributions are processed on Stripe’s hosted checkout page. ReadAloud AI does not receive or store your full card details. Stripe’s privacy terms apply to its processing. Contributions do not unlock product features or create a subscription.
11. Website analytics
The public website uses Google Analytics 4 with measurement ID G-LWHLBEFC20 and Microsoft Clarity with project ID xn52kmg5pq to understand page visits, approximate geography, browser and device information and broad interaction patterns. Clarity may capture interaction/session behaviour and page elements that are visible in the site. These website analytics integrations are not connected to the extension and do not receive its settings, generated audio or narrated page text.
Analytics is optional. Both tags initialise immediately with storage denied, so Clarity remains in Microsoft’s limited no-consent mode until you choose. The site only enables full analytics storage and Clarity session recordings after you select “Allow analytics” in the banner. If you decline, the site stores that preference and keeps both services denied/limited. You can clear the choice by clearing this site’s local storage.
Google and Microsoft process this information under their own terms and privacy policies. See Google’s privacy policy, Google Analytics data collection details and Microsoft’s privacy statement.