PDFBEAR Browser Extension Privacy Policy

Last updated: 5 October 2026

This policy explains how the PDFBEAR browser extension handles information. It supplements the full PDFBEAR Privacy Policy, which applies when a PDFBEAR website page or tool is opened.

Information the extension handles

• Active tab: when you open the popup, the extension reads the active tab's title and URL so it can show the selected page and prepare the Turn into PDF action.
• Local preferences: favorite and recently opened PDFBEAR tool identifiers are saved in Chrome's local extension storage.
• Duplicate-action protection: a short-lived timestamp is stored locally to prevent repeated clicks from opening duplicate conversion tabs.
• Optional Smart file buttons: if you enable this feature and approve Chrome's site-access prompt, a locally packaged content script checks the link or image directly beneath your pointer for a supported public file URL. It does not inspect or collect the surrounding page content.

When information leaves your browser

The active page URL is sent to https://pdfbear.com over HTTPS only after you deliberately select Turn into PDF or the equivalent PDFBEAR right-click command. The URL prefills the HTML-to-PDF tool so you can review it before conversion. For supported file links, images and selected text, the source is first carried in the new tab's URL fragment, which is not sent to the server; PDFBEAR receives it only after you review the handoff and submit the conversion form. The page title, favorites, recent-tool list and duplicate-action timestamp are not sent by the extension.

Opening any PDFBEAR tool creates the same normal HTTPS website request as following a bookmark. Standard server logs and the full PDFBEAR Privacy Policy apply after the website opens.

What the extension does not access

The extension does not read page bodies, local files, uploaded documents, downloads, cookies, passwords, authentication data, clipboard contents, camera or microphone. Required installation permissions do not include broad website access. The optional hover feature runs only after you enable it and Chrome grants site access; that access can be removed from the popup at any time. The extension makes no background analytics requests.

How information is used and shared

Extension information is used only to provide the user-facing launcher, favorites, recent tools, duplicate-action protection and page-to-PDF handoff. PDFBEAR does not sell extension data, use it for advertising, use it for credit decisions or transfer it for unrelated purposes.

PDFBEAR's use of information received from Chrome APIs complies with the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including its Limited Use requirements.

Storage, retention and control

Favorites, recent tool identifiers and the duplicate-action timestamp remain in Chrome's local extension storage until you clear the extension's data or uninstall it. Optional site access remains in Chrome until you disable Smart file buttons, revoke access in Chrome or uninstall the extension. If you choose to use a PDFBEAR website tool, website and file-retention rules are described in the full PDFBEAR Privacy Policy.

Security

Any page URL sent for the requested HTML-to-PDF workflow is transmitted to PDFBEAR over HTTPS. All executable extension code is included in the installed package; the extension does not download or execute remote code.

Contact

PDFBEAR is operated by Targa Limited. For privacy questions, contact privacy@pdfbear.com or use our contact page.