Inspiration
I came up with the idea for this Chrome extension from personal experiences growing up in a household where control and surveillance were commonplace. While I wasn't the direct victim, I witnessed the struggles of a close family member who lived under constant scrutiny. I vividly remember the tension that arose even from small actions that could be perceived as “rebellious,” like looking up ways to seek help or escape. Even the thought of searching for support was dangerous, making it feel impossible to take steps toward freedom.
People often say, “Just seek help,” but I realized how difficult that simple advice can be in reality. Many women in abusive households are watched closely, and their every move—especially online—can be monitored. I saw firsthand how the fear of getting caught looking for help added an extra layer of entrapment. It’s not just about finding the courage to leave; it’s about finding safe ways to seek that help without triggering further harm.
As I grew older, I began to understand that there are far more people around me living under similar circumstances than I ever imagined. The realization hit hard—women I knew, coworkers, even friends, might be navigating these hidden battles daily, unable to even research options for safety or support without risking their abuser's wrath.
What it does
I developed a Chrome extension designed to protect the privacy of individuals in situations where their internet activity is monitored, such as women in abusive households. The extension targets scenarios where even the slightest indication of seeking help—such as searches for domestic violence resources or escape plans—could trigger further harm. This tool specifically targets and scrambles search queries related to seeking help or exiting abusive situations. By replacing sensitive search terms with benign queries —like substituting "call the police" with "apple pie recipes"—it ensures that the search history appears innocuous. This provides a crucial layer of digital protection without raising suspicion since if an abuser reviews the browsing history, they won't find any indications of the individual's efforts to seek assistance or information on leaving the situation.
How we built it
We built it with JavaScript and HTML.
Challenges we ran into
Building this project was not just a technical challenge, but an emotional one. The more I worked on it, the more I was reminded of those difficult moments I’d lived through, and the harrowing reality so many women face. It was overwhelming at times, and I struggled with staying focused without getting too emotionally involved. There were moments where I felt déjà vu, revisiting those memories, and it became difficult to push through without feeling drained. However, I realized that I had to stay on track—not for me, but for the women who need this tool.
The technical challenges were straightforward compared to the emotional toll of the project. But what kept me going was knowing that this small piece of software could make a tangible difference in someone’s life, giving them just a little more freedom, a little more protection.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
I'm proud of myself for finishing this project (ish) and setting up a bare-bones skeleton for a tool that could potentially help so many people.
What we learned
What I learned is that offering help isn’t just about grand gestures; sometimes, it’s about providing a small shield that allows someone to take that first step toward safety, quietly, without raising alarms.
What's next for Search History Scrambler - Chrome Extension
I want to continue hacking on this tool to make it more robust and useful for those under surveillance.
