Privacy Policy

Overview

Origin Companion for PI Vision (formerly PI Bytez) (the Extension) is a browser extension that helps users collect, organize, and export the tag references used by the AVEVA PI Vision displays they view. It is value-free by design: it never collects PI measurement data. This policy explains what the Extension accesses, what it stores, and what it never does.

Upgrading from a version before 1.4.0? Those versions stored a snapshot value and timestamp alongside each tag. On upgrade, the Extension permanently erases those values from your local storage. Your tags, favorites, and settings are preserved.

What the Extension Accesses

The Extension reads the PI Vision displays you open — the tag references already visible on your screen, plus each display's own configuration — to collect:

• PI tag references: tag paths, labels, engineering units, and display context
• Calculation definitions: the name and expression of the calculations a display defines (read from the display's own configuration as it loads), so they can be reused in Create Trend and AF structure export
• Display information: display names, IDs, and symbol structure
• Server identifiers: PI Data Archive / AF server names extracted from tag paths

What the Extension Does NOT Collect

• No PI measurement data. The Extension does not collect, store, or export process values or their timestamps. It reads a display's tag references and calculation definitions — configuration, not readings — and specifically does not read the data endpoint that carries live values. Retrieve values with AVEVA's own tools, such as PI DataLink.
• No request modification. The Extension reads a display's configuration but modifies no request and changes no PI Vision behavior.
• No queries of its own. The Extension issues no network requests and transmits nothing externally.
• No personal information (name, email, location, browsing history)
• No authentication credentials or session tokens
• No data from websites other than PI Vision instances you actively browse
• No telemetry, analytics, or usage tracking
• No data is transmitted to any external server

Data Storage

All captured data is stored locally on your device using the browser's built-in chrome.storage.local API. This includes tag collections, user profiles, favorites, hotlists, defined values, expression library entries, and extension settings.

No data ever leaves your browser. The Extension does not communicate with any remote server, cloud service, or third-party API. All processing happens entirely within your local browser environment.

Data Export

When you explicitly choose to export data, files are saved to your local Downloads folder:

• Sync to Excel: PIBytez-Sync.json — tag data for Origin Companion for Excel
• AF Structure Export: .xls file for PI Builder import
• Manual exports: JSON, CSV, or TXT files

These exports are initiated only by your direct action and saved only to your local file system.

Permissions Explained

Permission	Why It's Needed
storage	Save tag collections, profiles, settings, and expression library locally
activeTab	Read the current PI Vision tab's rendered content and perform clipboard operations
downloads	Save export files (JSON, CSV, XLS) to your Downloads folder
sidePanel	Display the Extension's main interface as a browser side panel
contextMenus	Right-click menu options for tag operations
host_permissions	Access PI Vision on any server URL (deployments vary by organization)

Third-Party Services

The Extension does not integrate with, transmit data to, or receive data from any third-party service. There are no analytics, advertising, or tracking libraries included.

Data Retention

Data persists in local browser storage until you clear it using the Extension's "Clear" function, switch or reset profiles, uninstall the Extension, or clear browser data through browser settings.

Children's Privacy

The Extension is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect information from children.

Changes to This Policy

Updates will be posted at veiledorigin.com/privacy. Continued use of the Extension after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Trademark Notice

PI Vision, PI System, PI Server, PI DataLink, OSIsoft, and AVEVA are trademarks or registered trademarks of AVEVA Group Limited and/or its affiliates. This Extension is an independent product of Veiled Origin LLC and has no ownership or affiliation with AVEVA. References to PI Vision and related names are nominative and used solely to describe compatibility.

Contact

Veiled Origin LLC
Email: [email protected]
Web: veiledorigin.com

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