Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Effective Date: March 23, 2026 · Last Updated: March 23, 2026

1. Privacy Policy

1.1 Overview

Hearably ("we," "our," "us") is a browser extension and associated web services that provide audio enhancement capabilities. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect information when you use Hearably (the "Service"). By installing or using Hearably, you agree to this policy.

1.2 Audio Data

Hearably does not record, transmit, store, or collect any audio content. All audio processing occurs exclusively on your local device using the browser's built-in Web Audio API and chrome.tabCapture API. No audio data, audio fingerprints, or audio metadata ever leaves your device or reaches our servers.

1.3 Data We Collect

If you choose to create an account (optional), we collect:

  • Account information: Email address and display name for authentication purposes.
  • Audio presets: Custom equalizer and audio processing configurations you explicitly save to the cloud.
  • Subscription data: Payment status and subscription tier. Payment card details are processed exclusively by Stripe and are never stored on our servers.

We do NOT collect: browsing history, URLs visited, tab titles, page content, audio recordings, keystrokes, personal files, device identifiers, IP addresses (beyond transient request processing), or any form of behavioral analytics or tracking.

1.4 Browser Permissions

Hearably requests the following browser permissions, each strictly necessary for core functionality:

  • tabCapture: Captures audio output from the active browser tab for real-time DSP processing. This is the core mechanism enabling volume boost, equalization, and audio enhancement. The captured audio stream is processed locally and never transmitted.
  • offscreen: Creates a background document for audio processing, required by Chrome Manifest V3 architecture for tabCapture operation.
  • storage: Stores your audio preferences, preset selections, and settings locally on your device.
  • tabs: Detects which tabs are producing audio for the multi-tab mixer interface. We access only audio status metadata, never page content or URLs.
  • activeTab: Provides scoped access to the currently focused tab when you activate audio enhancement.
  • alarms: Runs periodic internal health checks to prevent memory leaks. No data is transmitted.

1.5 Data Storage & Security

Local data is stored in your browser's extension storage (chrome.storage API), encrypted at rest by the browser. Cloud data (presets, account information) is stored on Cloudflare's globally distributed edge network using D1 (database) and R2 (object storage) services, with data residency within the European Union where applicable. All communications use TLS 1.3 encryption.

1.6 Third-Party Services

  • Cloudflare, Inc. — Backend infrastructure (Workers, D1, R2, KV). Subject to Cloudflare's Privacy Policy.
  • Stripe, Inc. — Payment processing for Pro subscriptions. Subject to Stripe's Privacy Policy. We never receive or store your payment card details.

1.7 Data Retention & Deletion

You may delete your account and all associated cloud data at any time by contacting [email protected]. Uninstalling the extension immediately removes all locally stored data. We retain no data after account deletion except where required by law.

1.8 Children's Privacy

Hearably is not directed at individuals under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

1.9 Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance. Material changes will be communicated via the extension or email.

2. Terms of Service

2.1 Acceptance of Terms

By installing, accessing, or using Hearably, you ("User") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Hearably.

2.2 License Grant

Subject to these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use Hearably for personal, non-commercial purposes (Free tier) or commercial purposes (Pro/Lifetime tier). You may not reverse-engineer, decompile, modify, or create derivative works based on Hearably.

2.3 User Responsibilities

You are solely responsible for:

  • Your use of Hearably and any consequences thereof, including audio playback at elevated volume levels.
  • Ensuring that your use of volume amplification does not cause hearing damage to yourself or others. We strongly recommend keeping volume at safe listening levels. Hearably's distortion guard is an engineering safeguard, not a guarantee against hearing damage.
  • Compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and third-party terms of service in your jurisdiction.
  • Ensuring that your use of audio enhancement does not violate the terms of service of any website, streaming platform, or content provider.
  • Any content you create, share, or distribute using Hearably's preset sharing features.
  • Maintaining the security of your account credentials.

2.4 Prohibited Uses

You may not use Hearably to:

  • Record, capture, redistribute, or circumvent digital rights management (DRM) protections on copyrighted audio content.
  • Engage in any activity that violates applicable copyright, intellectual property, or content licensing laws.
  • Disrupt, overload, or interfere with our servers or infrastructure.
  • Resell, sublicense, or commercially redistribute the software without written authorization.
  • Use the Service for any unlawful purpose.

2.5 Hearing Safety Disclaimer

WARNING: Prolonged exposure to loud audio can cause permanent hearing damage. Hearably enables audio amplification up to 800% of the original volume. While we implement a software-based distortion guard and brick-wall limiter, these are digital safeguards and do not constitute medical-grade hearing protection. You assume all risk associated with audio volume levels you select. We strongly recommend:

  • Keeping sustained listening below 85 dB SPL.
  • Taking regular breaks during extended listening sessions.
  • Using the Night Mode feature for late-night listening to reduce dynamic range.
  • Consulting a hearing professional if you experience ringing (tinnitus), muffled hearing, or ear discomfort.

2.6 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEARABLY AND ITS CREATORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Hearing loss or hearing damage of any kind.
  • Damage to speakers, headphones, amplifiers, or other audio equipment.
  • Loss of data, revenue, or business opportunities.
  • Interruption of service or audio playback.
  • Any damages arising from third-party content played through the browser.

OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID TO US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR €50, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

2.7 Disclaimer of Warranties

HEARABLY IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components. Audio quality and amplification results may vary based on your hardware, browser version, and system configuration.

2.8 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Hearably and its creators from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from: (a) your use of the Service; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any rights of a third party; or (d) any hearing damage, equipment damage, or other harm resulting from your use of audio amplification features.

2.9 Subscription & Billing

Pro subscriptions are billed monthly or annually through Stripe. You may cancel at any time; access continues until the end of the billing period. Lifetime licenses are one-time payments granting perpetual access to all current and future Pro features. Refunds are handled in accordance with applicable consumer protection laws and Stripe's refund policies. We reserve the right to modify pricing with 30 days' notice.

2.10 Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time for violation of these Terms, without prior notice. Upon termination, your license to use Hearably ceases immediately. Sections 2.5–2.8 survive termination.

2.11 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the European Union and the applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which Hearably is operated, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration or in the courts of competent jurisdiction.

2.12 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

2.13 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Hearably regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements.

3. Contact

For questions about this Privacy Policy or Terms of Service:

Email: [email protected]