FlatSpec privacy policy

FlatSpec automatically counts visible PDF links on HTTP(S) webpages for its toolbar badge. This local count does not fetch linked files, extract table values, save page metadata or send information to a server.

Opening the popup previews supported PDF, XLSX, CSV, DOCX, RFA and RVT links, visible tables, specification lists, page title and source URL. It checks up to 100,000 visible text characters for known certification/standard keywords. The preview is temporary; selected resources and associated evidence are saved only when you choose Add to Deck. Keyword matches are text mentions, not certification verification.

Project decks, groups, saved resources, notes, URLs, naming preferences, review decisions, product fields, original values, source evidence, requirements and comparison settings are stored locally in your Chrome profile. Separate projects retain separate comparisons and requirements. There is no account, processing server, analytics, sale of data or upload of collected information.

Analyze documents reads selected PDF, XLSX, CSV and Word (.docx) files on your device. PDF.js reads PDF text; local ZIP/XML and CSV parsers read Office worksheet/body text and CSV values. No AI service or server is used. Original bytes are not retained or uploaded. Explicit product/service identities, technical attributes, source excerpts, document locations and analysis summaries are saved in the selected group. Ambiguous bindings are skipped. Limits: 20 MB per file, 20 files per batch, one million text characters per document, 100 PDF pages, 10,000 worksheet rows and 256 worksheet columns, 32 MB expanded Office XML, 100 products per document and 500 attributes per product. Formula cells, images, embedded objects and OCR are not interpreted. Legacy DOC/XLS need conversion. Revit files remain download-only. Chrome download status does not grant file-read access; you select local files through a picker.

File downloads connect directly to source websites, which receive normal download requests and may require authentication or apply their own privacy policies. Opening a source URL is a normal browser navigation. File-information previews use saved names and URLs without network lookups.

Project metadata and download receipts are limited to 8 MB per stored state; Chrome’s total extension-storage quota also applies. Limits include 50 projects, 1,000 groups, 5,000 resources and 200 products per project. Archiving hides a project while retaining its data. Removing a group removes its resources and products; removing a resource retains any original specification evidence already extracted into a product. Exported CSV/XLSX files and JSON project snapshots are generated locally.

Upgrading an existing collection creates project/group records and retains a local migration backup, plus earlier collection/comparison data for compatibility. Removed legacy items may remain in that upgrade backup. Uninstalling the extension removes its extension storage. Clearing queue history inside FlatSpec removes its status records without deleting downloaded files or Chrome’s download history.

The disk indicator uses local Chrome download history, including matching downloads made outside FlatSpec. Matching retains URL query strings and ignores viewing fragments. It requires a completed record with Chrome’s exists flag; this flag may update after a short delay. FlatSpec does not scan your filesystem or read unrelated files. Erasing Chrome download history removes this evidence even if the physical file remains. Indicator URLs are kept in runtime memory and extension session storage, excluded from durable project data and JSON snapshots. No download-history information is uploaded.

Permissions:

• activeTab: preview the page when you open FlatSpec.
• scripting: run extraction for that explicit action.
• storage: retain projects, resources, preferences and download status locally.
• downloads: start/track downloads you choose, and query Chrome download records matching collected or previewed file URLs to show completed files Chrome reports still exist.

The count-only content script matches HTTP and HTTPS sites; Chrome site-access settings control where it runs. Protected browser pages cannot be read.

Limited Use

FlatSpec’s use of information received through Chrome APIs complies with the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including its Limited Use requirements. Information is used only to provide the extension’s document collection, organization, extraction and comparison features. It is not sold, used for advertising, used to determine creditworthiness or transferred to the developer or third parties for unrelated purposes. The developer does not receive or remotely access your saved projects, selected document contents or download history.

Your control and retention

Saved projects and extracted evidence remain locally until you remove them or uninstall FlatSpec. Archiving is not deletion. You can review saved resources and product evidence in the deck and export your project data. Downloaded files and exported files remain on your device independently of extension storage; remove those files yourself when no longer needed. FlatSpec does not add its own encryption to local Chrome storage, so protect access to your device and Chrome profile.

FlatRelay and FlatAEC links open their websites only when you choose them. Those websites may handle normal website traffic under their own policies; FlatSpec does not send them your deck or documents. If you voluntarily send a support request or attach documents outside the extension, that communication is separate from FlatSpec’s local processing.

FlatSpec is a free tool by FlatRelay and FlatAEC. For privacy questions, email [email protected] or use the FlatRelay contact page.