Your data stays yours.
Step is local-first. Your browsing data never leaves your Mac unless you choose otherwise. No accounts, no cloud sync, no telemetry on what you browse.
Collected
Nothing
Stored
On your Mac
Shared
Never
Everything stays on your Mac
Spaces, tabs, groups, split layouts, annotations, navigation graphs, scroll positions. All stored locally in a SQLite database on your machine. Nothing is uploaded, synced, or cached remotely.
No browsing telemetry
Step does not track which pages you visit, what you search, or how long you spend on a site. We have no analytics on your browsing behavior. Zero.
No account required
Step works without creating an account. No email, no login, no profile. The beta signup form on this site is the only place we collect an email, and only if you choose to share it.
Chromium security pipeline
Step tracks upstream Chromium releases through an automated pipeline. Every security patch, every CVE fix from the Chromium project is integrated into Step within days. You get the same protection as Chrome, often faster than other Chromium forks.
Your data is exportable
Spaces, annotations, and browsing history can be exported as standard formats (JSON, Markdown). Your data is never locked in. If you stop using Step, you take everything with you.
Open engine, transparent approach
Step is built on Chromium, an open-source project. We do not inject tracking, analytics, or ad-tech into the browser engine. Our modifications are limited to the Step UI shell, persistence layer, and feature modules.
Privacy Policy
Last updated: April 12, 2026
Data Controller
Bastien Hugon (individual) Email: contact@step-browser.com The data controller is the person who determines the purposes and means of processing personal data.
Data Collected
We only collect the following data: • Email address: voluntarily provided when signing up for the beta or the Windows waitlist. Stored on Loops.so (processor, US-hosted). • Anonymous usage data: via Vercel Analytics (cookie-less, no personally identifiable data). This includes: page views, country of origin, browser used. No cookies are set. Step Browser (the software) collects no data. All your browsing data stays on your Mac.
Purpose of Processing
• Managing the beta waitlist and communicating access • Sending product updates (with opt-out option) • Anonymous site traffic analysis to improve the service
Legal Basis
• Consent (Article 6.1.a GDPR): for email collection and sending communications • Legitimate interest (Article 6.1.f GDPR): for anonymous traffic analysis
Processors
• Vercel Inc. (USA): website hosting and anonymous analytics • Loops.so (USA): email storage and sending communications These processors comply with GDPR requirements and provide appropriate safeguards for data transfers outside the EU.
Cookies
The step-browser.com website only uses strictly necessary cookies (language preference). Vercel Analytics is cookie-less: it sets no cookies and collects no personally identifiable data. No tracking, marketing, or advertising cookies are used.
Data Retention
• Email address: retained as long as you are on the waitlist. Deleted upon request or unsubscription. • Analytics data: aggregated and anonymized, retained per Vercel's policy.
Your Rights (GDPR)
Under the GDPR, you have the following rights: • Right of access: obtain a copy of your personal data • Right to rectification: correct inaccurate data • Right to erasure: request deletion of your data • Right to data portability: receive your data in a structured format • Right to object: object to the processing of your data • Right to withdraw consent: at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing To exercise these rights, contact us at contact@step-browser.com. You may also file a complaint with the CNIL (www.cnil.fr) or your local data protection authority.
International Transfers
Your data may be processed in the United States by our processors (Vercel, Loops.so). These transfers are governed by the European Commission's standard contractual clauses and/or the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.
Contact
For any questions regarding this privacy policy or your personal data: Bastien Hugon contact@step-browser.com