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Reviews
Hexogen H.M.T.D (F.B.I)9 months ago
The ShopGuru Chrome extension collects product information, such as ASIN, title, price and seller details, from Amazon and eBay product pages. This data is publicly visible. It then sends this data to the ShopGuru.io backend via tRPC mutations. Furthermore, the extension meticulously logs user interactions and transmits telemetry events (client_id and event_type) to https://www.shopguru.io/api/event. The background script uses webRequest to monitor Amazon product page loads and extract order details from product reviews and order history pages. These details are then transmitted to ShopGuru.io for processing. All collected data is also stored locally in IndexedDB. Although there have been no recorded cases of credential theft or code injection, it should be noted that the extension transmits browsing and purchase information to an external server.
It collects information about what people view on Amazon and eBay and sends it to a remote computer. Specifically, content scripts collect product identifiers (ASIN/item ID), titles, prices, image URLs, and seller information. This data is then transmitted to a remote endpoint via tRPC calls. This constitutes a significant privacy violation, as it tracks the user's shopping activity. The webRequest permission is powerful, so its use by a shopping extension raises questions, particularly since the provided code does not explain how it is used. This strongly suggests potential affiliate fraud or traffic manipulation, which is a serious issue that should be investigated.
Claim: “All your data is stored and processed on your local device.”
Reality: The data is sent to shopguru.io via tRPC. Telemetry events and order details leave the browser.
If an extension does the opposite of what is promised in its privacy policy, it is, by definition, spyware.
By collecting ASINs, prices, and seller details in combination with a client ID, the operator creates a precise profile of your purchasing behavior.
The problem with this is that even if no access data is stolen, your purchase history (what you look at, what you buy, when you buy it) is an extremely valuable data package for advertisers.
The method is technically sophisticated, as the use of tRPC mutations often looks like normal API traffic, but here it is clearly used for data transmission (“smuggling”).
The most critical point is the use of the webRequest API.
It is intended to block (e.g., AdBlocker) or modify network requests.
How it is used here: Monitoring loading processes on Amazon product pages and extracting order details from the order history constitutes a significant intrusion.
This means that not only is the user's browsing activity monitored before a purchase is made, but the order history is also checked afterwards to see if and what was actually purchased.
This is the classic behavior of affiliate fraud bots or market research spyware, which are designed to collect and sell personal data.
The mechanism works in such a way that the extension recognizes that you are viewing a product (ASIN X), either via “webRequest” or “Content Script”.
The scam: This information is sent to the backend server (shopguru.io). This may respond with a command. The command is to load an affiliate link in the background. Or it changes the existing link in the browser. This gives ShopGuru a commission on your purchase. This happens even if you visited the site organically.
The damage: It harms Amazon/eBay through unearned commissions and violates your privacy, as every click is tracked in order to assign the commission.
The combination of secret data exfiltration (order details, history) and the lie about local processing makes this extension extremely unsafe.
My recommendation for you:
Uninstall the extension immediately.
Report it in the Chrome Web Store under “Privacy violation” or “Malware” and add your technical findings (tRPC calls, exfiltration of order history) to the report. Google often takes reports of webRequest abuse.
DantesVNoWar18 months ago
Non funziona, non trova mai le recensioni anche ricaricando la pagina. Se usi la chat, anche lì da sempre errore e non risponde alle domande. Disinstallata...
Arthur2.7 years ago
I'm curious, what's with the new permissions? Are you collecting personal data? I'm asking by the way, NOT Accusing. I just need to make sure of things.
Dick3 years ago
Works great! Easy to use visually, The developer keeps on top of things with the latest fixes. I just want to say great job and thank you!!!
Nicole Ahmed3.1 years ago
sort by number of reviews not working. AI summaries of reviews are fine - but I installed for the sorting fucntionality.
Neya Mana3.1 years ago
I like using this extension a lot! I use the pro/con button for every purchase :)
Brad Kowaleski3.1 years ago
Didn't provide any results. It kept giving me an endless loading circle.
Esy M3.1 years ago
This extension is fantastic! I am using it everyday with my searches on Amazon and the answers are pretty solid
Jeff State3.2 years ago
I think this extension is really useful. One improvement to note:
Users should have the option to specify their own "quick commands" that appear at the bottom of the message box. These are the user commands that are used most frequently, so they shouldn't need retyping each time.
The extension is rooted in AI, so the "quick commands" can simply start appearing, automatically, after users enter the same commands twice - generated by their history of entry.
If there is any reason why users wouldn't use the custom commands, the feature can be toggled.
Rushabh Patel3.3 years ago
Very useful, really fast
We haven’t found close competitors for ShopGuru - The Amazon Shopping Assistant yet.
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