Why does the Glean browser extension ask for these permissions?
The Glean browser extension asks for several permissions when you install it, and its side panel can ask for access to the page you're viewing. This page explains why Glean needs each permission and how it uses them.
Read and change all your data on websites you visit
Features that use this permission include:
- Native search replacement, where Glean powers search directly in apps such as Google Drive and Box
- The Glean sticky tab appears on workplace apps where you can verify a document
- To use Go Links, it asks for an additional permission to read and change your data on “go,” which enables redirection to shortened links
In order to provide these features, it requires this broad permission — but the access is limited to only workplace applications that work with Glean.
Replace the page you see when opening a new tab
Glean replaces your browser's default homepage with its search experience so you can bring up anything from any tool you use in an instant. You can still search Google from the browser's URL bar or turn off Glean as your homepage at any time from the settings.
Read and change your browsing history
Glean only uses the "read" part of this permission so it can autocomplete search results for you and improve search result ranking for individual users. The system only uses history from the workplace apps you've connected to Glean and other well-known productivity apps that it doesn't currently index (for example, Notion or Airtable) and ignores all other history.
This data will never be shared with any third party.
Read and change your bookmarks
Glean shows a dismissible bookmarks bar on its homepage, since replacing Chrome's default homepage also turns off the Google bookmarks feature, which only shows the bookmarks bar on a new tab.
Why does the side panel ask "Allow Glean to access this page?"
The Glean side panel can use the page you're viewing as context in the Chat and Agents tabs, even if Glean hasn't indexed that page. The side panel needs your permission to read an unindexed page, so it asks first. The prompt explains that Glean needs access to answer questions and make changes when you ask.
Choose how much access to give:
- Allow access to all websites — gives the extension access to every site you visit
- Allow only for this site — gives the extension access to every page on the current site
After you pick an option, your browser asks you to confirm it. If you close the Glean prompt without picking one, Glean doesn't read the page.
When you use a page in a chat or an agent run, Glean reads the page's address and text, not images or other files. Allowing access doesn't add the page to Glean's company search index.