Last updated: June 7, 2026
Overview
Podinary is a Chrome extension that helps you understand confusing YouTube captions in real time. This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and how it is used. We are committed to collecting only what is necessary and never selling your data.
What We Collect
When you use Podinary (by pressing Alt+X / Option+X on a YouTube video), we collect the following anonymous usage data:
- Anonymous install ID — a randomly generated identifier created when you first install the extension. This is not linked to your name, email, Google account, or any personally identifiable information.
- YouTube video ID and URL — the video you were watching when you triggered an explanation.
- Video timestamp — how far into the video you were (in seconds) when you pressed the hotkey.
- Caption text — the last ~10 seconds of captions that were sent for explanation.
- AI-generated response — the explanation returned to you, including the meaning, difficult terms, and simplified version.
- Error information — if something goes wrong, a brief error message is logged.
We do NOT collect:
- Your name, email address, or any account information
- Your full watch history or browsing history
- Any data from pages other than YouTube watch pages
- Any data when you are not actively pressing Alt+X / Option+X
How We Use This Data