Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 14, 2026

1. What We Do

Metadata Cleaner is a Google Workspace Add-on that removes hidden metadata (author names, GPS coordinates, timestamps, edit history, etc.) from files in Google Drive.

2. Google User Data We Access

Metadata Cleaner accesses the following Google user data through the Google API:

• Google Drive file content (via drive.file scope): The add-on reads the binary content of files you explicitly select in Google Drive, removes hidden metadata (EXIF, GPS, author info, timestamps, XMP, etc.), and writes the cleaned version back to the same file in your Drive. File content is accessed solely for the purpose of metadata removal and is never stored, cached, or transmitted outside of Google's infrastructure.
• Google Drive file metadata (via drive.addons.metadata.readonly scope): The add-on reads basic information (file name, MIME type, icon URL) of files you select in Google Drive to display them in the add-on sidebar and determine if the file format is supported for cleaning.
• Google Account email address (via userinfo.email scope): Your email address is used to identify your account for license verification and monthly usage counting. It is transmitted to our backend server (api.metacleaner.site) for this purpose.
• External HTTP requests (via script.external_request scope): The add-on makes HTTPS requests to our licensing server (api.metacleaner.site) to verify your subscription plan and usage limits. These requests contain only your email address and file count — never any file content, file names, or file metadata.

3. How We Use Google User Data

Metadata Cleaner uses Google user data exclusively for the following purposes:

• File content — Used only to perform metadata removal. Files are read, cleaned, and written back to Google Drive within a single operation. We do not store, copy, cache, or retain any file content.
• File metadata (name, type, size) — Used only to display file information in the add-on UI and to determine format support. Not stored or transmitted.
• Email address — Used only to identify your account for subscription management and to count the number of files cleaned per month. Stored on our backend server (Appwrite Cloud, EU) as part of your account record.

Google user data is not used for advertising, analytics, market research, tracking, profiling, or any purpose other than providing the metadata cleaning functionality described above.

4. Sharing, Transfer, and Disclosure of Google User Data

We do not sell, rent, share, transfer, or disclose Google user data to any third parties, except as described below:

• Google Drive file content: Never sent to our servers or any external service. All file processing occurs within Google's infrastructure and your browser. No third party has access to your file content.
• Google Drive file metadata: Never transmitted outside of the add-on. Not shared with any third party.
• Email address: Transmitted only to our backend server (api.metacleaner.site, hosted on Appwrite Cloud) for account identification and license verification. Your email may also be shared with Stripe (our payment processor) if you choose to upgrade your subscription plan. No other third party receives your email address.
• Usage count: The number of files cleaned per month is stored on our backend server. This count does not include file names, types, or content.

We do not use Google user data to serve advertisements. We do not allow humans to read Google user data unless we have your affirmative agreement, it is necessary for security purposes, or it is required by law.

5. What Data We Collect

We collect the minimum data necessary to operate the service:

• Email address — To identify your account, manage your subscription, and count monthly usage.
• Usage count — The number of files you've cleaned per month (e.g., "15 files in March 2025"). We never store file names, types, or contents.
• Subscription data — Your plan type and Stripe customer ID for billing purposes.

6. What Data We Do NOT Collect

• File contents, names, or metadata from your files
• Browsing history or activity outside the add-on
• Contacts or calendar data
• Any data from other Google Workspace apps

7. Google Workspace Permissions

The add-on requests the following Google API scopes:

• Drive file access (drive.file) — To read and update files you select for metadata cleaning in Google Drive.
• Drive metadata (drive.addons.metadata.readonly) — To read basic file info (name, type, size) of files you select in Drive.
• User email — To identify your account for license and usage tracking.
• External requests — To communicate with our licensing server for plan and usage verification.

These permissions are used solely for the metadata cleaning functionality described above.

8. Payment Processing

Payments are processed by Stripe. We do not store credit card numbers or payment details on our servers. Stripe's privacy policy governs the handling of your payment information.

9. Data Storage & Security

• Account and usage data is stored on Appwrite Cloud (hosted in the EU).
• All communications are encrypted via HTTPS/TLS.
• We use API key authentication between the add-on and our backend.
• Dashboard authentication uses one-time magic links (no passwords stored).

10. Data Retention

• Usage counters are reset monthly.
• Account data is retained while you have an active account.
• If you uninstall the add-on and request deletion, we will remove all your data within 30 days.

11. Your Rights

You can:

• Request a copy of all data we store about you
• Request deletion of your data
• Uninstall the add-on at any time from Google Workspace Marketplace

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@metacleaner.site.

12. Changes

We may update this policy from time to time. Significant changes will be communicated through the add-on or via email.

13. Contact

Questions or concerns about privacy? Contact us at support@metacleaner.site.