Technology · Advice & Questions · Oct 16

Should a coupon extension be allowed to read every site I visit?

Illustration of a desk lamp, laptop, shopping bag and blank coupon on a desk.

Technology

A coupon extension saved me $11 on a desk lamp. When I opened its details later, the site-access setting covered all sites. I had installed it in the browser I also use for email and my course portal.

My friend said the saving proved it was useful. I agree it was useful. I had simply thought it would wake up at a shopping checkout, not have such a broad permission.

Chrome allows site access to be limited for extensions where those controls apply. I have not tried this extension with narrower access yet. [Chrome's extension controls](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2664769?hl=en-en).

Would you keep it only for the shops where you use it, or remove it after the purchase? There is no evidence here that it stole anything. I am trying to decide how much access a small convenience should get before convenience becomes my only reason for leaving a setting alone.

Discussion

3 community replies

@northstar88

A successful coupon establishes that one feature worked, not that every requested permission is necessary. You can value the $11 and still reconsider access. Try the narrower setting if the extension supports it, then decide whether the remaining usefulness is worth keeping.

@softfocus

Chrome documents access when an extension is selected, on specified sites, or on all sites. Those site controls do not cover every permission, including certain lower-level network changes. Read this extension's actual permissions rather than treating one toggle as complete isolation. [Chrome's guidance](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2664769?hl=en-en).

@ClearTextOnly

Was the lamp purchase a one-off, or do you regularly use the extension at the same few shops? That would change the convenience calculation. Removing something you rarely use need not be a verdict on the company behind it.

Should a coupon extension be allowed to read every site I visit?

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