Tab Recorder is designed to be local-first. We have no servers, no accounts, and no interest in your data.
Recordings
Recordings are captured and saved locally on your device (your Downloads folder). They are never sent to us.
Microphone (optional, off by default, Pro): if you enable the mic toggle, your microphone is mixed into the recording. Mic audio is treated exactly like the rest of the recording — local only, never transmitted.
Google Drive upload (optional, off by default, Pro): if you enable it, each finished recording is uploaded to a "TabRecorder" folder in your own Google Drive instead of being saved to your Downloads folder (if an upload fails, the recording is saved locally so nothing is lost). Uses Google's official API and an OAuth permission you grant; the extension can only access files it created itself (the drive.file scope). You can disable the toggle or disconnect the Google account at any time; nothing else is ever uploaded.
Data the extension stores
Settings (format, resolution, duration limit, toggles) are stored in Chrome's sync storage so they follow your Chrome profile across your devices.
Runtime state (recording status, temporary recording data before it is saved) is stored locally on your device and deleted after the recording is saved or discarded.
License key (Pro): if you purchase Pro, your license key is sent to our payment provider (Lemon Squeezy) to activate and periodically re-validate it. Payments are processed entirely by Lemon Squeezy; we never see or store your payment details.
What we don't do
No analytics, no tracking, no telemetry.
No account, no sign-in.
We do not collect, sell, or share any personal data.
The extension makes no network requests at all unless you enable Drive upload or activate a Pro license.
Permissions, explained
tabCapture / activeTab / scripting — capture the tab you choose to record and show the small REC indicator on it.
downloads — save finished recordings to your Downloads folder.
storage / offscreen — remember your settings and run the recording engine.
identity — only used for the optional Google Drive sign-in.