Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

🔒 Privacy & Security

Can hyphOS see my banking data or passwords?

No, absolutely not. hyphOS has a built-in blacklist for sensitive websites. The extension does NOT collect data from:

Banking websites (PayPal, Stripe, all banks)
Email services (Gmail, Outlook)
Messengers (WhatsApp Web, Telegram)
Login pages, checkout pages, or other sensitive URLs

                        Important: The extension only collects data when you actively trigger a
                        function like "Summarize" – never automatically in the background.
                    

How is my data encrypted?

Yes, with AES-256-GCM encryption. When you enable Cloud Sync:

Your memos are encrypted with AES-256-GCM locally in your browser
Encryption is tied to your secure user identity for a seamless experience
Only your authenticated browser session can decrypt and access your data
Your memos are stored encrypted — we do not read your notes

                        Seamless Protection: Unlike old-fashioned tools, hyphOS handles encryption
                        transparently. You don't need to remember a separate master password—everything is secured
                        via your authenticated account.
                    

Without Cloud Sync, all data remains exclusively local in your browser.

Is hyphOS a "Zero-Knowledge" tool?

hyphOS uses Client-Side Encryption. This means your data is encrypted before it is sent to our servers. While the encryption keys are managed transparently via your secure user account (making it much more convenient than traditional zero-knowledge tools), we still cannot access your notes outside of your authenticated session.

Is my browsing data sold or shared with third parties?

No, never. We make money exclusively through subscriptions, not data sales.

We do NOT use tracking tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel
Your browsing history stays local in your browser (only for the Research Graph)
AI analyses are only performed when actively triggered
We don't share data with advertisers or third parties

Why does the extension need access to "all websites"?

hyphOS is a research tool designed to work on any webpage. The host_permissions are necessary so you can use the extension everywhere.

                        But: Access doesn't mean automatic data collection! The extension only
                        collects data when you actively trigger a function, and respects the blacklist for sensitive
                        sites.
                    

What happens to my data when I delete my account?

Upon account deletion, all your data is permanently deleted:

Encrypted memos in the cloud
Your user profile and account information
All saved settings

Local data in your browser remains until you uninstall the extension.

⚡ Features & Usage

How does the Research Graph work?

The Research Graph visualizes your browsing journey:

Each visited page is displayed as a node
Connections show how you navigated from page to page
You can add memos to individual pages
Everything is stored locally (optional Cloud Sync)

Tip: Use tags to organize your research topics!

Free:

Basic monthly usage
Basic features (Summarize, Memos)
Local storage

Plus:

Extended monthly usage
PDF export, Citations, Knowledge Synthesis
Cloud Sync (up to 3 devices)

Pro:

Maximum monthly usage
All features
Cloud Sync (unlimited devices)
Priority support

🛠️ Technical & Troubleshooting

Why doesn't the extension work on some pages?

Possible reasons:

Blacklist: The page is on the privacy blacklist (banking, email, etc.)
Chrome restrictions: Chrome extensions don't work on chrome://, file://, or Chrome Web Store pages
JavaScript blockers: Some ad blockers can cause conflicts

Solution: Check if the page is blacklisted, or temporarily disable other extensions.

My memos disappeared – what can I do?

If Cloud Sync was enabled:

Log in again
Enable Cloud Sync in settings
Memos will be automatically downloaded and decrypted

If Cloud Sync was NOT enabled:

Memos are only stored locally and are lost on browser reset
Check if you're in the correct Chrome profile
Tip: Enable Cloud Sync to prevent data loss!

Can I use hyphOS on multiple devices?

Yes, with Cloud Sync:

Plus: Up to 3 devices
Pro: Unlimited devices

Install the extension on each device, log in, and enable Cloud Sync to keep your research in sync.

How can I clear my cache?

Option 1: In extension settings → "Clear cache"
Option 2: Chrome DevTools → Application → Storage → Clear Site Data
Option 3: Uninstall and reinstall the extension (deletes all local data!)

💳 Billing & Account

How does billing work?

All subscriptions are processed via Lemon Squeezy:

Monthly or annual payment
Automatic renewal (cancel anytime)
Limits reset at the beginning of each month
Unused capacity expires (no rollover)

Can I cancel my subscription anytime?

Yes, anytime! No cancellation period, no hidden fees.

Cancel via Lemon Squeezy Customer Portal
Access to Pro features until end of billing period
Then automatic downgrade to Free

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes, 14-day money-back guarantee! If you're not satisfied, contact us at hello@hyphos.app for a full refund.

❓ More Questions

Is hyphOS open source?

Currently, hyphOS is not open source, but we plan to release parts of the code (e.g., encryption, engines) in the future. Follow us for updates!

Which browsers are supported?

Currently: Google Chrome and Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Brave, Opera).
Firefox support is planned!

How can I provide feedback or report bugs?

We appreciate your feedback!