Browser-side tools and file privacy: what “processed locally” means
Local processing means the transformation is performed by browser APIs on your device. It reduces the need to upload working input, but it should not be confused with a promise that no web request exists at all.
“Processed locally in your browser” should describe how a tool actually works, not act as a vague privacy slogan. For the current Tools Brave utilities carrying that statement, the transformation happens with browser APIs on the device you are using.
What stays local for these tools
Selected image files, pasted JSON or XML, text used by the word counter, hash inputs, Base64 working data and color values are processed by the tool interface in the browser rather than uploaded through that tool form to Tools Brave.
What normal website traffic still exists
Opening a web page still creates ordinary web requests. A hosting server can receive information such as the requested URL, timestamp, IP address, browser user agent and error information. Those requests are separate from the actual file or pasted data being transformed by a local tool.
| Activity | Current Tools Brave behavior |
|---|---|
| Open a tool page | Normal website request to load the page and local site assets. |
| Select an image in a client-side image tool | The browser reads the selected file for the local operation. |
| Paste JSON into the current formatter | Parsing and formatting run in browser JavaScript. |
| Future server-powered feature | Must disclose upload, processing and retention behavior before processing begins. |
Why the distinction matters
A privacy-first product should make narrow, testable claims. Saying “this tool does not submit your working input” is more useful than pretending an online website creates zero network traffic.
You can also read the site Privacy Policy for the broader distinction between local tool input and ordinary hosting activity.
Device limits still apply
Local processing shifts work to your browser and device. Very large files can therefore hit memory or browser canvas limits even when there is no server-side upload limit.