The short version: Instinct does not collect, store, or sell your personal data. All detection happens through anonymous API calls. Your API keys never leave your device. We do not track your browsing history.
Instinct is a Chrome browser extension developed and operated by Hunter Thames and his LLC ("we," "us," or "our"). We are based in Dalton, Georgia, USA. You can reach us at the contact information provided at the end of this policy.
Instinct is an AI content detection tool that analyzes web content — text, images, audio, and video — to estimate the likelihood that it was generated by artificial intelligence. Instinct also provides an algorithm reset feature that helps users clear personalized recommendation data on major social media platforms.
We want to be explicit about what Instinct does not do:
When you enable Instinct on a page, it extracts anonymous content samples (text excerpts and image URLs visible on the page) and sends them to our proxy server at instinct-proxy.netlify.app for analysis. This proxy forwards requests to third-party AI detection services.
Content samples sent for analysis are:
If you choose to add your own API keys for enhanced detection (Image & Audio Detection Key or Written Content Key), those keys are stored exclusively in your browser's local storage using Chrome's chrome.storage.local API. They are:
When you use Voice Shield, your phone's microphone captures audio in short chunks (approximately 8 seconds each). These audio chunks are sent to our proxy server and forwarded to an AI audio detection service for analysis. Audio chunks are:
Voice Shield requires explicit user activation and microphone permission on your mobile device. You can end a Voice Shield session at any time.
The Algorithm Reset feature automates actions on social media platforms (YouTube, TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit) using your existing logged-in sessions. Instinct does not access, store, or transmit your social media credentials or account information. The reset actions are performed locally in your browser on your behalf.
Instinct stores the following data locally on your device using chrome.storage.local:
This data never leaves your device unless you explicitly use a feature that requires it.
When you install Instinct, a randomly generated anonymous identifier is created and stored locally on your device using Chrome's chrome.storage.local API. This identifier:
This identifier allows us to understand how Instinct is used in aggregate — for example, whether text detection or image detection is more commonly triggered — without knowing anything about the individual user.
Instinct routes detection requests through third-party AI analysis services. These services receive anonymous content samples for analysis. We use:
Each provider's privacy policy governs their handling of data submitted to them. Content submitted is anonymous and not linked to your identity.
Instinct is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect any information from children under 13.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify users of material changes by updating the effective date at the top of this page. Continued use of Instinct after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or Instinct's data practices, please contact us at:
Hunter Thames
Dalton, Georgia, USA
privacy@instinct-extension.com