Scout Browser Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 2025

Important Notice

Scout Browser is an independent, third-party application and is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by YouTube or Google. It is designed as a tool for parents to manage their children's YouTube viewing experience. No filtering technology is 100% accurate, and parental supervision remains essential.

1. Information We Collect

Scout Browser is designed with privacy in mind and collects minimal information necessary to provide the service:

Content Analysis Data: YouTube video metadata (titles, descriptions, available transcripts, thumbnails) for AI analysis when content filtering is enabled
User Preferences: Your application settings and content filtering preferences, stored locally on your device
Basic Usage Analytics: Anonymous technical information to improve application performance and stability
No Personal Information: We do not collect names, email addresses, or other personally identifiable information from users, including children

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information solely for:

Analyzing YouTube content appropriateness using AI when enabled by parental settings
Providing content filtering and recommendation controls based on your configured preferences
Storing your family's content preferences locally on your device
Improving Scout Browser's functionality and AI analysis capabilities
Technical support and troubleshooting when requested

3. Data Storage and Security

Your privacy and security are our priorities:

Local Storage: All user preferences and settings are stored locally on your device
Temporary Processing: Content analysis data is processed securely and temporarily when AI analysis is requested
No Permanent Storage: We do not permanently store video content, viewing history, or personal information on our servers
Secure Transmission: All data transmission uses HTTPS encryption
No Data Sharing: We do not sell, rent, or share your data with third parties for marketing purposes

4. Third-Party Services

Scout Browser uses the following third-party services:

AI Content Analysis Services: For video safety evaluation when enabled by parents
YouTube API: To access video metadata and content (subject to YouTube's Terms of Service)
These services receive only the minimum data necessary for content analysis and do not receive personal information

5. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Scout Browser is designed as a parental tool with strong privacy protections for children:

No Personal Data Collection: We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13
Parental Control: All settings and preferences are controlled by parents/guardians
No Profiles or Accounts: The application does not require children to create accounts or profiles
Local Processing: Content filtering happens locally whenever possible
No Behavioral Tracking: We do not track or profile children's viewing behavior

6. Limitations and Disclaimers

Important Limitations

Filtering Accuracy: AI content analysis is not 100% accurate and may produce false positives or miss some content
Content Availability: Analysis effectiveness depends on availability of video transcripts, metadata, and other factors
Parental Responsibility: Parents remain responsible for supervising their children's online activities
Regular Review Required: Settings and preferences should be reviewed and adjusted regularly
Technical Limitations: Content filtering may not work with all video types or formats

7. Your Rights and Controls

As a parent using Scout Browser, you have:

Full Control: Complete control over all content filtering preferences and settings
Data Access: Ability to access and modify your stored settings at any time
Data Deletion: Ability to uninstall Scout Browser and remove all local data
Opt-out: Ability to disable any feature or stop using the service at any time
Support Access: Right to contact us for technical support or questions

8. Updates to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make changes:

We will post the updated policy on this page with a new "Last updated" date
Significant changes may be communicated through the application
Continued use of Scout Browser after updates constitutes acceptance of the new policy

9. Legal Disclaimer

Scout Browser is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. While we strive to provide effective content filtering tools, parents acknowledge that:

No automated filtering system is perfect
Parents remain solely responsible for their children's online safety
Regular supervision and communication with children about online content remains essential

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy, Scout Browser's functionality, or need technical support, please contact us at:

Email: cassandra at melax dot com

Subject Line: Please include "Scout Browser Privacy" for privacy-related inquiries

We will respond to privacy-related questions within 30 days.

This privacy policy is effective as of June 2025 and applies to all users of Scout Browser.

Remember

Scout Browser is a tool to assist parents, not a replacement for parental guidance and supervision. Regular communication with your children about internet safety and content consumption remains the most important aspect of keeping children safe online.