BNT — Better New Tab · Privacy Policy
Last updated: 2026-07-29
BNT (“Better New Tab”, the “Extension”) is a new-tab replacement that runs entirely inside your browser. This policy explains, in plain terms, what data the Extension touches and what it does not do.
The short version
- No account, no sign-in, no analytics, no advertising, no tracking.
- All of your settings, layouts, notes and content stay on your device
(browser localStorage and IndexedDB).
- The developer operates no servers and never receives your data.
- The Extension only contacts a third-party service when a feature you enabled
needs it (e.g. fetching the weather), and it sends the minimum required to make that feature work.
Data stored on your device
Everything you configure — widget layout, themes, shortcuts, to-dos, notes, sticky notes, news sources, background image/video and preferences — is saved locally in your browser under the bnt_ key prefix (and in IndexedDB for uploaded background media). This data never leaves your device except when you explicitly export a backup file yourself. Removing the Extension removes it.
Permissions and why they are used
| Permission | Why it is requested |
|---|---|
storage, unlimitedStorage | Save your settings and uploaded background media locally. |
search | Send a search from the new-tab search box to your own default search engine. |
history | The Search widget can show suggestions from your browsing history as you type. History is read locally, matched against the current query, shown only to you, and never transmitted anywhere. You can disable this completely by setting history suggestions to 0 in the Search widget settings. |
geolocation | The Weather widget can use your location to show local weather. It is optional and requested only when you tap the location button. |
notifications | Show a desktop notification when a Pomodoro timer finishes. |
activeTab | The toolbar popup reads the current tab so you can save it as a shortcut. |
Host access (https://*/*, http://*/*) | Needed so the News widget can fetch RSS feeds you choose (including your own custom sources), and so widgets can reach the public APIs listed below. |
Third-party services contacted (only for features you use)
The Extension has no backend of its own. When you use a given feature, your browser makes a direct request to the relevant public service:
- Weather — coordinates or city are sent to
open-meteo.comto retrieve
the forecast. If you don’t grant location, an approximate location may be derived from your IP via ipinfo.io / ip.sb / freeipapi.com.
- Search suggestions — your typed query is sent to Google’s public
autocomplete endpoint (suggestqueries.google.com) to show suggestions.
- News — the RSS feed URLs you select are fetched. Feeds that block direct
browser access are retrieved through public CORS proxies (api.allorigins.win, api.codetabs.com); those proxies see the feed URL.
- Crypto — coin prices are fetched from
api.coingecko.com. - Background images — optional stock images are loaded from
images.unsplash.com.
These services receive only what is technically required to answer the request (for example, your query text or coordinates) and, as with any web request, your IP address. BNT does not add any identifier of its own and does not build a profile of you.
Data the Extension does NOT collect
- No personal identifiers, accounts or contact information.
- No selling or sharing of data with third parties for advertising.
- No usage analytics or telemetry.
- No collection of your browsing history by the developer (it is only read
locally, on your machine, for the suggestions feature described above).
Children’s privacy
BNT is a general-purpose utility and is not directed at children. It collects no personal information from anyone.
Changes to this policy
If this policy changes, the “Last updated” date above will change and the new version will be published at the same URL used for the Chrome Web Store listing.
Contact
Questions about privacy: [email protected]