Last updated: 3 November 2026.
1. What happens to your PDF or image
When you choose a PDF, the file is read inside your web browser using PDF-processing software. Text extraction, page selection and creation of the downloadable TXT file happen on your device. When you choose a photo or screenshot in Image to Text, the browser reads that picture locally and recognises the words using OCR. The site does not intentionally transmit the PDF, original image, extracted text or OCR page images to our own servers, and we do not provide a user account or document-storage service.
OCR runs in your browser on both tools. The OCR software and English language data are served by this website, while file contents are processed locally rather than uploaded to Extract Text Now. Close or refresh the page to clear the converter's in-memory files and results.
2. Information that may be processed when you visit
As with most websites, the hosting provider and providers serving website assets may automatically process routine connection information such as your IP address, browser type, request time and requested resources for security and service operation. We do not currently have a site account system, mailing list, embedded contact form or custom analytics tracker.
3. Software and fonts
The PDF converter serves a local copy of the PDF.js reader from this website. OCR for scans and uploaded images uses locally hosted Tesseract.js software and English-language recognition data. The visual design uses Google Fonts, an external resource whose provider may process your IP address and browser request information under its own privacy terms.
4. Cookies and advertising
At this stage, Extract Text Now does not include Google AdSense advertising units or site-configured analytics cookies. The HTML contains an AdSense publisher verification identifier and the site publishes an ads.txt authorisation record; neither is itself an ad display unit. Hosting infrastructure may use cookies or similar storage for essential operation or security.
If Google advertising is introduced, we will update this page to explain the relevant partners, personal-data uses and cookie choices, and deploy an appropriate consent solution before serving personalised advertising where required, including in the UK and EEA. You will not be required to click an ad to use the converter.
5. Data retention and security
We do not maintain a database of uploaded PDFs, images or extracted text. Data is kept in browser memory only during a conversion session. A file you download is saved according to your browser and operating system settings. Normal infrastructure logs, if maintained by hosting or external resource providers, are subject to their respective retention practices.
6. Your choices
- Do not select a sensitive file unless you are comfortable with software running in your browser.
- For PDFs, turn OCR off if you do not want to load the additional OCR software; image conversion requires OCR.
- Delete downloaded TXT files using your device's file manager when you no longer need them.
- Use browser privacy settings to control cookies and local site data.
7. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy when our tools, hosting or advertising arrangements change. We will revise the date above so visitors can tell when the explanation was last updated.
8. Questions
For privacy questions, corrections or support, email contact@harkensolutions.com, or see the Contact page. Please do not email confidential PDFs or personal documents.