Privacy Policy
Photo Heat Map is a free browser extension that shows your own Google Photos library as a heat map on a map. This policy explains exactly what it does and does not do with your data.
The short version
- Everything stays on your computer. Your photo locations are stored only in your browser's local storage (IndexedDB) on your own device.
- We have no servers. The developer does not receive, see, or store any of your data. There is no account, no login to us, and no analytics.
- We never sell or share your data. There is nobody to share it with.
What data the extension handles
To draw the map, the extension reads, from your own signed-in Google Photos session:
- Photo and video location coordinates and place names
- Photo and video identifiers (media keys) and thumbnail URLs
- Capture timestamps
This information is read using your existing Google session, the same way the Google Photos website itself reads it. It is used solely to render your map and photo grid.
Where the data goes
- Stored locally only. The above data is written to IndexedDB in your browser and never leaves your device.
- Network requests are limited to two destinations:
- google.com / photos.google.com, to read your own library, using your own session. This is a request to Google, not to us.
- OpenStreetMap tile servers, to fetch the background map images. These requests contain only the map area you are viewing (standard for any web map) and no photo data.
- No data is ever sent to the developer or to any third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking service.
Your control over the data
- The extension provides a “Wipe local data” button that permanently deletes everything it has stored on your device.
- Uninstalling the extension also removes its local storage.
- The extension never modifies, deletes, or uploads anything in your Google Photos account. It only reads.
Permissions and why they are needed
- Host access to photos.google.com, to read your own library locations.
- Storage, to cache locations locally so the map opens instantly and does not re-download every time.
Third-party services
The background map imagery is served by OpenStreetMap tile servers. To draw the map, your browser requests the map tiles for the area you are currently viewing. This reveals only which part of the world map is on screen (standard for any web map) and contains no photo data, photo locations, or personal information. No other third-party services are contacted.
Contact
Photo Heat Map is published by SyskStudio. Questions about this policy can be directed to the developer via the Chrome Web Store listing.