Privacy Policy — Recall

Last updated: July 19, 2026

Recall — Vocab & Concept Cards for Anki ("the extension") is a Chrome browser extension that helps you look up words and concepts on webpages and save flashcards to Anki. This policy describes what data the extension handles and how it is used.

Summary

• We do not operate servers that receive your browsing data.
• API keys and settings are stored locally in your browser via Chrome storage.
• When you look up a word, the selected text and surrounding context are sent to the AI provider you configure.
• AnkiConnect communication stays on your computer (localhost).
• We do not sell your data.

Data the extension collects and stores locally

The extension stores the following on your device using chrome.storage.sync and chrome.storage.local:

• Settings — AI provider choice, model name, AnkiConnect URL, default deck, and related preferences.
• API keys — Keys you enter for OpenAI, DeepSeek, Google Gemini, Minerva, or custom endpoints. Stored in sync storage and never transmitted to us.
• Recent lookups — Up to 50 recent words with definition and source URL (local storage only).
• Pending cards — Vocabulary cards queued when Anki is unavailable (local storage only).
• Last used deck — Your most recently selected Anki deck name.
• Model list cache — Cached AI model names from provider APIs (refreshed weekly).

Data sent to third parties (only when you use a feature)

The extension does not send data until you trigger a lookup or save action.

AI providers (user-configured)

When you look up a word, the extension sends:

• The selected word, phrase, or concept
• Surrounding text context from the page (up to ~600 characters)
• The page URL (stored on the resulting card and may be included in the AI request context)

In Concept mode, the AI additionally generates a small schematic diagram (an SVG image) that is embedded on the card. This diagram is created by the AI provider from the request above; no extra data about you is collected to produce it.

This data is sent to whichever provider you choose in settings, for example OpenAI, DeepSeek, Google Gemini, a custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint, or a Minerva backend URL you provide. Each provider has its own privacy policy governing how they handle API requests.

AnkiConnect (local)

When you add a card or sync, the extension communicates with Anki Desktop on your machine at http://localhost:8765 via the AnkiConnect add-on. Card content does not leave your computer except when you choose to sync Anki to AnkiWeb through Anki Desktop.

For vocabulary cards, the extension may also capture images located near the text you select and embed them in the saved card so you have visual context. These images are stored only in your Anki collection and are never sent to the developer.

Minerva knowledge vault (optional)

If you enable vault features in settings, vocabulary data may be sent to your configured Minerva server for context augmentation or note storage. This only occurs when you opt in and provide a Minerva URL.

Data we do not collect

• We do not collect analytics, telemetry, or usage tracking.
• We do not have user accounts or a central database.
• We do not read page content unless you select text and initiate a lookup.
• We do not access passwords, payment information, or unrelated browsing history.

Permissions and why they are needed

• activeTab / scripting / all URLs — Show the lookup panel on pages where you select text.
• storage — Save your settings, API keys, recent words, and offline card queue.
• contextMenus — Add a right-click option to look up selected text.
• alarms — Refresh cached AI model lists periodically.
• Host permissions — Connect to your chosen AI API, local AnkiConnect, Ollama, or Minerva endpoints.

Children's privacy

The extension is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when the extension changes. The "Last updated" date at the top will reflect revisions.

Contact

Questions about this policy: open an issue on GitHub or contact the developer through the Chrome Web Store listing.