Extension Scanner — BrowserGate

About

Every time you visit linkedin.com, hidden JavaScript code scans your browser for installed extensions, collects the results, and transmits them to servers — without asking and without telling you.

Extension Scanner lets you see exactly which of YOUR installed extensions are on that scan list.

HOW IT WORKS
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When you click the extension icon, it checks your installed extensions against a database of 2,953 known extension IDs that are actively probed by LinkedIn. You instantly see:

• How many of your extensions are being scanned
• Which specific extensions are flagged
• Which of your extensions are safe

The red badge on the extension icon always shows how many of your extensions are in the scan list — so you know at a glance.

WHAT IS BEING SCANNED
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A JavaScript bundle served by LinkedIn to every Chrome user contains a hardcoded array of 6,000+ Chrome extension IDs. For each one, a specific internal file path was mapped for detection. Categories include:

• Job search tools (500+ extensions)
• Sales & CRM tools (200+ competing products)
• AI writing assistants
• Recruiting & sourcing tools
• Privacy & security extensions
• Accessibility tools
• Ad blockers
• Social media tools

Because the scanning platform knows each user's real name, employer, and job title, this reveals sensitive information about identified individuals — such as whether someone is secretly looking for a new job.

WHY THIS MATTERS
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• No privacy policy mentions extension scanning
• Users are never asked for consent
• The scan runs on every page load for every Chrome user
• Results are transmitted to servers and third parties
• Scan results have been used to take enforcement action against users

This has been documented and verified by the BrowserGate investigation (browsergate.eu), including a sworn affidavit from a Senior Engineering Manager confirming the practice.

DATA SOURCE & FRESHNESS
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• Database: 2,953 extension IDs extracted directly from the scanning platform's JavaScript bundle
• Source: linkedin-extension-fingerprinting project on GitHub
• Evidence timestamped: February 19, 2026 (RFC 3161 cryptographic timestamp)
• Extension list may grow over time — we will publish updates as new data becomes available

YOUR PRIVACY
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This extension:
✓ Runs entirely locally on your device
✓ Does NOT connect to any server
✓ Does NOT collect or transmit any data
✓ Does NOT track you in any way
✓ Uses only the "management" permission to list your installed extensions
✓ Is fully open source

The only permission required is "management" — which allows the extension to see your list of installed extensions. This data never leaves your browser.

DISCLAIMER
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This extension is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to LinkedIn Corporation or Microsoft Corporation. It is an independent privacy awareness tool built by the BrowserGate community to help users understand what data is collected about them. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.