Privacy Policy
Castmate is published by Halberd LLC. Last updated October 28, 2026.
Short version: Castmate works inside your browser. The extension doesn't have accounts, analytics, ads or trackers, and it doesn't send what you browse or watch to us. This website counts visits, described under "This website" below.
What the extension reads, and why
- Addresses of video files and stream manifests (for example
.m3u8,.mpd,.mp4) that a page loads, so it can list the videos on that tab. This is the extension's single purpose and the reason it asks to read data on the sites you visit. - The page's title and preview image (from its title,
og:tags or player poster), so each video in the list has a readable name and thumbnail.
This information is kept in the browser's session storage for the tab it came from. It's removed when you close the tab or the browser. The only thing saved longer is your setting for the optional relay switch.
What leaves your browser
- When you press Cast: the video's address, title and thumbnail go to the TV you pick (Chromecast or a Google Cast device, or an Apple TV with AirPlay). The cast page uses Google's Cast SDK, which Google serves; Google's privacy policy covers that SDK.
- The cast page is a static page hosted on Cloudflare Pages. The extension puts the video details after the
#in its address, a part browsers never send to the server. Cloudflare, like any host, may log ordinary request data such as IP address and browser type. - Missing thumbnails: if a page has no preview image, the extension may ask that same site's public oEmbed service (for example Dailymotion, Vimeo, Reddit or Loom) for one, sending it the page's address.
- Optional relay: if you run the Castmate relay on your own computer, streams that need it pass through that relay. If you set it up with a tunnel service, traffic also passes through that service.
- Where you stopped, and your queue: the cast page remembers where you stopped each video so casting it again resumes there, and the extension keeps the videos you queue. Both stay in this browser on this computer only (local storage) and never reach us. Clearing the site's data or the extension's queue removes them.
- Subtitles: if the page has subtitle files, their addresses go to the cast page and your TV with the video. With the relay running, the TV fetches them through the relay on your computer.
- Phone remote: if you open it, your phone talks to the relay on your computer over your own network, using a random code from the QR. The relay keeps only what's playing right now, in memory.
- Saving a video: when you press Download and Save, the extension fetches the video from the site it came from and writes it to a file on your computer. It goes straight from that site to you; nothing passes through us.
- Problem reports, only when you send one: if you press "Report it" and then Send, we receive that page's address and title, the video's address without its query string, the video type, what you wrote, your extension version, browser type and language, and your email if you typed one. We use this only to fix support for that site and, if you gave an email, to tell you when it's fixed. We keep reports until the problem is closed, then delete emails. Ask us at the address below to delete a report sooner.
What we don't do
- We don't collect, store or sell your browsing history, watch history or personal information. The only exception is a problem report you choose to send, described above.
- We don't use data for advertising or credit decisions, and we don't let people read it.
- Castmate doesn't get around DRM, encryption, paywalls or logins, and it doesn't save videos from sites whose terms forbid it.
Castmate's use of information received from Chrome APIs follows the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.
This website
castmate.us uses PostHog, a product analytics service in the United States, to see which pages people visit and where they drop off, including whether a visit leads to an install or a purchase. It records pages, clicks, where the visit came from, country and device type, with a random visitor ID kept in your browser. We test different wording on some pages.
- Never covered: the cast page, the phone remote and the stream tools have no analytics, and nothing about what you browse or watch is included. Session recording is off.
- Your choice: in the EEA, UK, Switzerland, Turkey and Brazil, analytics starts only if you say OK. Elsewhere it's on unless you opt out, and we honor Do Not Track.
- When you install or remove the extension: the extension opens a page on this site, which counts that under the same rules. On removal, a page asks why; your answer is sent only if you press one.
- Purchases: if analytics is on, your visitor ID goes with the checkout, so we can see which pages lead to a sale, along with the plan and amount. Your name, email and card aren't included.
Trial and payments
- Trial date: the extension stores when your 14-day trial began, in this browser and in your Chrome profile's sync storage, so reinstalling doesn't restart it. It never reaches us.
- Buying Pro: payments are handled by Stripe. Your card and billing details go to Stripe, not to us. We keep a license key linked to the Stripe customer and plan.
- License check: about once a day, a browser with a key sends that key to castmate.us to confirm it's still active. Nothing about your browsing goes with it. Like any web server, Cloudflare, which hosts the site, processes the request's IP address.
Contact
Questions: [email protected]
Chromecast and Google Cast are trademarks of Google LLC. Apple TV and AirPlay are trademarks of Apple Inc. Castmate is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google or Apple.