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Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 2026

Overview

hoplink is a browser extension that reveals the real destination behind shortened URLs. This privacy policy explains what data hoplink accesses, how it is used, and what data is stored.

The short version: hoplink does not collect, transmit, or sell any personal data. Everything happens locally in your browser.

What Data hoplink Accesses

To function, hoplink accesses the following:

  • URLs on web pages you visit — hoplink scans page content to detect shortened URLs (e.g., bit.ly, t.co, tinyurl.com). Only URLs matching known shortener domains are processed.
  • HTTP redirect chains — When a shortened URL is detected, hoplink follows its redirect chain by making HTTP requests from your browser to discover the final destination URL.
  • Open Graph metadata — hoplink may fetch the destination page to extract its title, description, image, and favicon for display in the preview popover.

How Data Is Processed

All URL resolution and metadata fetching is performed locally in your browser using the extension's background service worker. Specifically:

  • Redirect chains are followed by making direct HTTP requests from your browser — no proxy server or external API is involved.
  • Resolved URLs and metadata are cached in-memory only for the duration of the browser session. The cache is cleared when you close the tab or navigate away.
  • No data is sent to, processed by, or stored on any external server operated by hoplink or any third party.

What Data Is Stored Locally

hoplink uses chrome.storage.local to persist the following user preferences:

  • Enabled state — Whether the extension is turned on or off.
  • Resolution mode — Your chosen mode: "On Hover," "Automatic," or "Manual."
  • Custom shortener domains — Any additional shortener domains you have added.

This data is stored entirely on your device and is never transmitted externally. You can clear it at any time by uninstalling the extension or clearing extension data in Chrome settings.

What hoplink Does NOT Do

  • Does not collect personally identifiable information
  • Does not track your browsing history
  • Does not use analytics or telemetry
  • Does not display advertisements
  • Does not sell or share any data with third parties
  • Does not require an account or sign-in
  • Does not communicate with any external server
  • Does not use remote code or remote configuration

Permissions Explained

hoplink requests the following Chrome permissions:

storage— Save your preferences (enabled state, resolution mode, custom domains) locally on your device.
activeTab— Access the current tab to detect and mark shortened URLs in page content.
tabs— Track per-tab statistics and communicate between the popup and content scripts.
webNavigation— Detect page navigations to reset state and re-scan for shortened URLs.
Host access (all URLs)— Follow redirect chains from shortened URLs to their final destination on any domain, and fetch Open Graph metadata for rich previews.

Changes to This Policy

If this privacy policy is updated, the changes will be reflected on this page with an updated date. Since hoplink does not collect any contact information, we cannot notify users directly — please check this page periodically.

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy or the hoplink extension, you can reach the developer at zsyihab.com.