Is Annotate: Web Annotations with Screen Sharing Safe? — Extension Safety Profile

This extension requests a broad set of permissions that allow it to read and change data on all websites you visit. The combination of host access, the scripting permission, and webNavigation means it can inject code and observe your browsing across every page. The desktopCapture permission is particularly powerful, as it can record your entire screen, not just a browser tab. For a productivity tool focused on annotations and screen sharing, requesting such wide-ranging access is somewhat expected to enable its core features, but the scope is extensive and gives the extension significant control over your browsing experience.

Users of annotation and screen-sharing tools should be aware of general category risks. These extensions can capture sensitive information visible on screen, including passwords, private messages, or financial data, if accidentally shared. It is wise to pause sharing and close unrelated tabs before starting a session. Additionally, be mindful of where annotated content or recordings are stored and who might have access to them, as the developer states they collect personally identifiable information.

Looking at the fact sheet, the strongest dimension is Maintenance & Ownership, suggesting the extension is actively maintained. The weakest dimension is Permissions & Access, reflecting the extensive and powerful permissions requested relative to typical extensions. The high Data & Privacy score is based on the developer's self-declared practices, which claim data is not sold or misused, though this is not independently verified.