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Content Settings

contentSettings
High RiskCategory: Privacy & NavigationView Official Docs↗
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Install Warning

"Change your settings that control websites' access to features such as cookies, JavaScript, plugins, geolocation, microphone, camera, etc."

Technical Context

Grants access to the chrome.contentSettings API for controlling per-site permissions like JavaScript execution, cookie handling, and hardware access. This enables fine-grained control over web features.

What This Means For You

The extension can change what websites are allowed to do, like using cookies or accessing your camera. This is useful for privacy tools that block unwanted features on certain sites.

Related APIs

This permission enables access to these Chrome APIs:

chrome.contentSettings

Common Use Cases

  • ✓Privacy tools
  • ✓Parental controls
  • ✓Security extensions

How to Declare in manifest.json

Add the "contentSettings" permission to your extension manifest:

{
  "manifest_version": 3,
  "name": "My Extension",
  "permissions": [
    "contentSettings"
  ]
}

What Users Will See

When users install your extension, Chrome will display this warning:

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This extension can:

"Change your settings that control websites' access to features such as cookies, JavaScript, plugins, geolocation, microphone, camera, etc."

Related Permissions

Tabs

tabs

The extension can see what websites you have open in all your tabs, even if you are not actively using them. This is necessary for tab managers but means the extension knows your browsing patterns.

high

History

history

The extension can see every website you have visited and when you visited it, going back as far as Chrome stores. It can also add fake entries or delete real ones from your history.

high

Cookies

cookies

The extension can see the small "id cards" websites use to remember that you are logged in. This allows the tool to help you manage your privacy or stay signed into multiple accounts simultaneously.

high

Privacy Settings

privacy

The extension can change Chrome's privacy settings, like whether websites can track you. This is used by privacy-focused tools to enhance your protection.

high

Active Tab

activeTab

This is a "privacy-first" permission that only lets the tool see the website you are currently looking at when you specifically ask for help. It ensures the extension remains dormant and unable to read your data on any other open tabs or websites.

low