1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how SEO Checker by Sekhlo ("we", "our", or "the extension") handles your information when you use our Chrome extension. We are committed to transparency and protecting your privacy.

Developer: Mubashir Hassan (Sekhlo)
Contact: https://www.mubashirhassan.com

1.1 Version 2.0.0 New Features

SEO Checker by Sekhlo v2.0 includes several advanced features that enhance SEO analysis capabilities:

• DA/PA Checker: Analyzes domain and page authority metrics
• AI Content Optimizer: Provides AI-powered content optimization suggestions
• SSL Certificate Checker: Validates website security certificates
• Performance Metrics Analyzer: Measures Core Web Vitals and page performance
• Historical Ranking Tracker: Saves and tracks ranking changes over time
• Bulk Domain Checker: Analyzes multiple domains simultaneously
• SERP Volatility Tracker: Monitors search engine results page changes

Privacy Impact: All new features maintain our strict privacy standards. Analysis is performed locally, and no additional personal data is collected or transmitted to external servers.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information Stored Locally

The following data is stored ONLY on your local device using Chrome's local storage (chrome.storage.local):

• API Keys: Perplexity AI API key, Moz API credentials, and WhoisXML API key (optional, user-provided)
• Analysis History: Previously analyzed URLs and their results (optional, for your reference)
• Ranking History: Historical ranking data for tracking position changes over time (v2.0 feature)
• Performance Data: Cached performance metrics and Core Web Vitals data (v2.0 feature)
• User Preferences: Extension settings and configurations
• Cache Data: Temporary analysis results for performance optimization

2.2 Information We Do NOT Collect

We do NOT collect, store, or transmit:

• ❌ Personal identification information (name, email, address, phone)
• ❌ Browsing history beyond currently analyzed URLs
• ❌ Financial or payment information
• ❌ Health information
• ❌ Location data
• ❌ Biometric data
• ❌ User account credentials
• ❌ Personal communications
• ❌ Analytics or tracking data

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Local Processing

All SEO analysis is performed locally within your browser. The extension:

• Analyzes webpage content on the currently active tab
• Evaluates SEO metrics (meta tags, headings, images, links, etc.)
• Generates recommendations and suggestions
• Stores results locally for your review

3.2 External API Calls (Optional)

The extension may make API calls to third-party services ONLY if you:

1. Explicitly provide your own API keys
2. Enable specific features that require external APIs
3. Authorize each API call through the extension interface

Important: These API calls are made directly from your browser to the respective services. We do NOT act as an intermediary or store any data from these requests.

4. Data Storage and Security

4.1 Local Storage

All data is stored using Chrome's secure local storage mechanism:

• Data remains on your device and is never transmitted to our servers
• We do not have access to your locally stored data
• Data is synced only if you enable Chrome Sync (managed by Google)
• You can clear all data at any time through the extension settings

4.2 API Key Security

Your API keys are handled with the highest security standards:

• Stored locally using Chrome's encrypted storage
• Never transmitted to our servers
• Used only for direct API calls to the respective services
• Can be deleted at any time through extension settings

4.3 HTTPS

All external API calls use HTTPS encryption to protect data in transit.

5. Third-Party Services

When you use external APIs (with your own API keys), you are subject to those services' privacy policies:

• Perplexity AI: Perplexity Privacy Policy
• Moz: Moz Privacy Policy
• WhoisXML API: WhoisXML Privacy Policy

We recommend reviewing these policies to understand how your data is handled by these services.

6. Permissions Explained

Our extension requests the following Chrome permissions:

Host Permissions: We request access to Google domains (google.com, google.co.*) ONLY for the SERP analysis feature, which analyzes search engine results pages.

7. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do NOT share, sell, rent, or disclose your data to any third parties.

The only data transmission occurs when:

• You explicitly authorize API calls using your own API keys
• Data is sent directly from your browser to the API service (not through our servers)
• You are in full control of these transmissions

7.1 Legal Compliance

Since we do not collect or store any user data on our servers, we have no user data to disclose to law enforcement or legal authorities.

8. User Rights and Control

You have complete control over your data:

8.1 Access and Review

• View all locally stored data through the extension settings
• Export analysis history at any time
• Review API call logs

8.2 Modify or Delete

• Edit API keys and preferences at any time
• Clear specific analysis results
• Delete all extension data with one click
• Uninstall the extension to remove all associated data

8.3 Opt-Out

• Disable external API features at any time
• Remove API keys to prevent external calls
• Use the extension entirely offline (without API features)

9. Children's Privacy

Our extension is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe a child has used our extension and provided information, please contact us, and we will provide guidance on removing the extension.

10. International Users

Since all data is stored locally on your device and we do not operate servers or collect data, there are no international data transfers. However, if you use external APIs, data may be transmitted to servers operated by those third-party services, subject to their privacy policies and jurisdictions.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in:

• Extension features or functionality
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Data handling practices

When we make changes:

• The "Last Updated" date will be revised
• Significant changes will be notified through the extension
• Continued use of the extension constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

12. Data Retention

Data retention is entirely under your control:

• API Keys: Stored until you delete them or uninstall the extension
• Analysis History: Stored until you clear it or uninstall the extension
• Settings: Stored until you reset them or uninstall the extension

Upon uninstalling the extension, all locally stored data is automatically removed by Chrome.

13. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data:

Developer: Mubashir Hassan (Sekhlo)
Website: https://www.mubashirhassan.com
Extension Page: Chrome Web Store

We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within 7 business days.

14. Compliance

This Privacy Policy complies with:

• Chrome Web Store Developer Program Policies
• Google API Services User Data Policy
• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) - for EU users
• CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) - for California users

14.1 GDPR Compliance (EU Users)

For users in the European Union:

• Legal basis for data processing: User consent
• Right to access, rectify, and delete your data
• Right to data portability
• Right to withdraw consent at any time
• No automated decision-making or profiling

14.2 CCPA Compliance (California Users)

For users in California:

• We do not sell personal information
• You have the right to know what data we collect (none to our servers)
• You have the right to delete your data (clear local storage)
• You have the right to opt-out of data sales (not applicable)

15. Consent

By installing and using SEO Checker by Sekhlo, you consent to:

• This Privacy Policy
• Local storage of your preferences and API keys
• Analysis of web pages you explicitly choose to analyze
• Optional external API calls when you provide API keys

You can withdraw consent at any time by uninstalling the extension.