Privacy Policy

Last updated: 5 May 2026

This privacy policy covers VirtueScience.com (the website) and the Chrome extensions Virtue New Tab and Encouragement Button. All are operated by the same independent researcher and developer.

Virtue New Tab Chrome extension

Virtue New Tab is designed with privacy as a foundational principle. The following statements are accurate and complete:

• The extension does not collect, transmit, or share any personal information.
• The extension does not request any browser permissions.
• The extension does not contact any server, run any analytics, or send data anywhere.
• The extension does not display advertising or use any third-party tracking.
• All extension content (virtues, quotes, affirmations) is bundled inside the extension package and loaded locally from your own device.

The extension uses your browser's built-in localStorage to remember the index numbers of the most recently shown virtue, quote, and affirmation. This is so that the next refresh shows a different one, rather than repeating. This information stays inside your browser, is not transmitted anywhere, and is not accessible to anyone else. You can clear it at any time by clearing your browser's site data.

Encouragement Button Chrome extension

The Encouragement Button is designed to be lightweight and respect your privacy. The following statements are accurate and complete:

• The extension does not collect, transmit, or share any personal information or web history.
• The extension does not contact any external servers, run analytics, or display advertising.
• All phrases, logic, and images are bundled inside the extension package and operate locally on your device.

The extension requires the following browser permissions to function:

• Text-to-Speech (tts): Used exclusively to read the selected phrase aloud using your browser's built-in voice engine.
• Active Tab & Scripting: Used exclusively to display the visual encouragement card and animation over your current webpage when you click the extension icon. The extension does not monitor your browsing activity.

The extension uses temporary session storage (chrome.storage.session) to keep track of recently played phrases and voices to ensure variety and prevent immediate repetition. This temporary data is never written to your device's disk, is not transmitted anywhere, and is automatically cleared when you close your browser.

VirtueScience.com website

The VirtueScience.com website may use server log files (which record IP addresses, browser types, and pages visited) for the standard purposes of security, troubleshooting, and aggregate traffic analysis.

The website uses cookies. A first-party cookie is set when you accept the cookie notice, so that the notice does not reappear on every visit. Some pages may include embedded content from third parties such as YouTube, which can set their own cookies once that content loads. Additional cookies may be used in future for analytics or other site features.

The website may include outbound links to other sites, including the developer's other project at Thoughtogram.com. Once you leave VirtueScience.com, this privacy policy no longer applies and you should review the privacy practices of the destination site.

Children

Neither the website nor the extension is directed at children under 13, and no information is knowingly collected from children.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated from time to time. The "last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. Continued use of the website or the extension after a change indicates acceptance of the updated policy.