Is RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) Safe? — Extension Safety Profile
Quick verdict: RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) earns a safety grade C, 58.5 out of 100, based on 5 of 5 dimensions.
58.5/100
Grade C · 5 of 5 checks
What we found
Automated safety profile from public signals (the extension's manifest & permissions, store listing, publisher, privacy policy). A full review hasn't been published yet.
What this safety grade means
RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) earns a safety grade of C (58.5/100), measured across 5 of 5 dimensions. Its strongest area is Data & Privacy (83%). The weakest is Maintenance & Ownership (10%) — what holds its grade back the most.
On the public records we can check, RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) is a mixed picture. 400,000 active users/installs reported on the store. Store rating 2.8/5 from 3,400 user ratings. Last updated on the store 2024-07-04. This is an automated profile, not a hands-on review — so treat the grade as a starting point: open RSS Subscription Extension (by Google)'s own store listing and privacy policy before installing, and weigh it against the other rss feed readers extensions we track below.
Safety Signals
Based on 5 of 5 safety dimensions
| Dimension | Score | Bar | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher & Identity | 60% · 4.8/8 pts 2 of 5 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Permissions & Access | 58% · 14.6/25 pts 3 of 3 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Data & Privacy | 83% · 13.2/16 pts 4 of 5 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Maintenance & Ownership | 10% · 0.8/7.5 pts 1 of 2 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Community Reputation | 56% · 5.6/10 pts 2 of 4 checks verified | Automated signals |
In-depth safety analysis
This extension can read and change data on any website you visit, view your open tabs, and run scripts on pages. These permissions let it detect RSS feed links across the web and add them to your reader—a normal need for a feed-subscription tool. However, such broad host access does give it significant visibility into your browsing activity, so it is only appropriate if you trust the publisher.
RSS feed readers typically collect information about which sites you check for feeds and what you subscribe to. The developer declares it does not sell user data or use it for unrelated purposes, which is a positive sign, though those are self‑reported claims. Like many popular extensions, this one could be targeted by copycats that imitate its name and look in unofficial stores; always verify you install the official version from the Chrome Web Store.
The extension enjoys a strong community reputation, with largely favourable ratings from a large user base. The weakest safety assessment dimension is maintenance and ownership, which may point to concerns about how consistently the extension is updated or how its long‑term support is documented—despite a recent release in mid‑2024. Users who rely on it daily may want to confirm that updates continue to arrive regularly.
AI-assisted analysis of the documented signals above (permissions, store data, privacy practices) — explains what they mean and the risks typical for this category. Not a hands-on test.
What the store listing shows
Who's Behind RSS Subscription Extension (by Google)?
- Publisher rss-subscription-extension-owners@google.com
Public records identify the publisher, but no individual founders or a separate registered company are named — which is what holds the Publisher & Identity score back. Less public information about who operates an extension means less you can verify about their long-term accountability.
How it compares
Among the 3 RSS Feed Readers extensions we track, RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) has one of the lowest safety scores.
Computed from our own database of assessed RSS Feed Readers extensions — updated as we track more.
Evidence on File (12)
RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) FAQ
- Is RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) safe?
- RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) earns a safety grade of C (58.5/100) on our evidence-based assessment, based on 5 of 5 safety dimensions we could verify from public records. This is an automated profile built from public records, not a hands-on review.
- Who is behind RSS Subscription Extension (by Google)?
- RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) is operated by rss-subscription-extension-owners@google.com.
Alternatives we track
Compare RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) head-to-head:
Browse all browser extensions we've checked → · Best RSS Feed Readers extensions