Privacy Policy — Port Aransas Seaweed Report & Sargassum Forecast Chrome Extension

What the extension does

The Port Aransas Seaweed Report & Sargassum Forecast extension displays today's sargassum (seaweed) outlook for Port Aransas and Mustang Island — a severity verdict, links to live beach cameras, and beach-by-beach context — in a popup when you click its toolbar icon. The outlook is read from public pages on BeachedInn.com.

Data we do NOT collect

• No personally identifiable information (name, email, address)
• No browsing history — the extension does not read, track, or transmit the pages you visit
• No location data — it shows Port Aransas conditions and does not request your location
• No analytics, telemetry, cookies, or advertising identifiers inside the extension

The extension requires no account and has no login.

Network requests the extension makes

The extension retrieves data only from beachedinn.com. On a schedule (about every two hours) and when you open the popup, it fetches the current sargassum outlook from that site. These requests retrieve public information and contain nothing that identifies you.

Like any web request, they are subject to standard server logs (IP address, timestamp, requested page) governed by the BeachedInn.com website privacy policy. Those logs are used to operate and secure the website, not to profile extension users.

Links that open in your browser

The popup includes links you can tap — live beach cameras (hosted by WebCOOS / university and NOAA-affiliated networks), the Texas Beach Watch bacteria dashboard, the full seaweed guide on BeachedInn.com, and a booking link. These open in a normal browser tab only when you click them; the extension does not fetch data from them in the background. Once you follow a link, that destination's own privacy policy applies.

Data stored on your device

The extension uses Chrome's local storage to cache the most recent outlook, so the popup opens instantly and to avoid unnecessary network requests. This stays on your device and is removed by Chrome when you uninstall the extension. Nothing is stored remotely.

Links to Beached Inn

Links opened from the extension include UTM parameters such as utm_source=extension. These indicate that a visit came from the extension as a product; they do not identify you personally.

Permissions, in plain language

• Storage: caches the latest outlook on your device so the popup loads instantly.
• Alarms: schedules the roughly two-hour background refresh.
• Access to beachedinn.com: lets the extension fetch the sargassum outlook from its only data source. No other sites are accessed in the background.

Safety note

The sargassum outlook is a model based on wind, current, and season, and is informational only. Conditions vary by beach and hour — the live cameras show the actual water. Always follow the posted Port Aransas Beach Patrol flags and local guidance before entering the water. See the full Port Aransas seaweed guide for the complete outlook.

Children

The extension is not directed at children under 13 and collects no data from anyone, including children.

Changes to this policy

If our practices change, we will update this page and the effective date above, and material changes will be reflected in the extension's Chrome Web Store listing.

Contact

Questions about this policy or the extension: vacationrentals@cinnamonshore.com