Chrome extensions that do a lot require user permissions. When you try to add the Outklip Chrome extension from the Chrome store, you get a prompt asking for a few permissions.
Outklip has a principle of least use of permissions. We’ll tell you why we ask for these permissions and what our principle means.
1. Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
The language of this permission sounds scary and it can indeed be used used to modify webpage content.
Outklip uses this permission in a specific and limited way — we use it to display visual elements on a webpage, for instance, the recording control panel and the camera. To display these things, we add code to a webpage.
2. Display notifications
We use this permission to notify users on two occasions —
- when a video is ready for viewing, or
- there is an error
Some possible errors are — Video failed to upload or Recording cannot be done on this tab.
We as users hate annoying notifications and don’t want to inflict Outklip users with vacuous notifications.
3. Capture content of your screen
Outklip’s primary use is to make a screen recording. To that end, we need a user’s permission to capture content of their screen.
Users are naturally wary of granting this permission, but we guarantee that Outklip will only initiate screen recording when a user clicks Record.
After a user clicks Record, Chrome has additional in-built safeguards
- Before recording, Chrome asks the user to explicitly select what to record (Desktop or application) and
- During recording, Chrome displays a notification bar or icon to indicate that screen recording is in progress
Principle of Least Use of Permissions
Outklip’s mission is to make video creation as easy as writing. We need permissions for our apps, to provide an easy-to-use and beautiful interface for users.
Our Principle of Least Use of Permissions means we use granted permissions to the least extent possible, for ease of use and aesthetics, without compromising a user’s safety and privacy.
Users place trust in us by granting permissions. We take that trust seriously.