The short version. We use your email address for one purpose only: to identify your account and keep spam and abuse out. Your email and real name are never shared publicly — you comment anonymously under a random username. We don't collect anything beyond what SideReacts needs to work, and we never sell your data.
1. Who we are
SideReacts (“we”, “us”, “our”) is a free browser extension that adds a reaction and discussion panel to supported video platforms. This policy applies to the SideReacts extension and the SideReacts website. For any privacy question, email [email protected].
2. What we collect
We deliberately keep this list short. We only collect what the service needs to function:
- Account identity. When you sign in with Google, we receive a Google account identifier and your email address. We use Google sign-in solely to verify you're a real person and to recognize your account.
- Your anonymous profile. A randomly generated username and emoji avatar created for you at sign-up.
- Content you create. The comments, replies, votes, images, GIF selections and optional video timestamps you post.
- Basic operational data. The minimum needed to run features, such as which posts a notification refers to.
We do not build advertising profiles, track your browsing across the web, or collect data we don't need.
3. How we use your email
Your email is used only for:
- Account identification: recognising your account when you sign in.
- Spam and abuse protection: keeping bots and bad actors out so the community stays healthy.
Your email is never shared publicly, never shown on your profile, and never attached to anything you post. We don't use it to send marketing.
4. Your anonymity
SideReacts is anonymous by design. Other people only ever see your random username and emoji avatar. Never your real name, email, or anything that identifies you. Your real identity is never shared, publicly linked to your posts, or shown anywhere in the product.
5. Content you post
Comments, replies, votes, images, GIFs and timestamps you submit are stored so the service can display them on the relevant video thread. Posts are tied to a piece of content, not to your real identity. To keep the community safe, images you upload may be automatically checked for harmful content before they appear.
6. What the extension accesses
The SideReacts extension runs on supported video pages (currently YouTube and Netflix) so it can show the reaction panel next to the player. It reads the page address to identify which video you're on, so reactions can be grouped to the right content. The extension stores a sign-in token and your preferences (such as theme and auto-open) locally in your browser. SideReacts only reads what it needs to display the panel — it never modifies, downloads, or interferes with the videos you watch.
7. Sharing & third parties
We do not sell your personal data, and we never share your real identity. We rely on a small number of trusted providers strictly to run the service:
- Google: to provide sign-in. Google's handling of your account is governed by Google's own privacy policy.
- GIPHY: to power the GIF search in the composer. GIF searches are sent to GIPHY to return results.
We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the safety of our users and the service.
8. Retention & deletion
We keep your account information and content while your account is active so the service works as expected. When a comment is deleted, its text is removed and replaced with a placeholder. If you'd like your account and associated data removed, email [email protected] and we'll take care of it.
9. Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete the personal data we hold about you, or to object to certain processing. To exercise any of these, contact us at [email protected]. We'll respond within a reasonable time.
10. Children
SideReacts is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country). We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we'll remove it.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the product grows or as the law requires. When we make material changes, we'll update the date at the top of this page. Continued use of SideReacts after an update means you accept the revised policy.
12. Contact
Questions, requests, or concerns about privacy? Email us any time at [email protected].
SideReacts is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by YouTube, Netflix, Google, or GIPHY. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.