Is Helper Bee safe to install?

What data it declares

The developer declares that it does not collect or use your data.

The developer also certifies that your data is not sold to third parties outside approved uses, not used for purposes unrelated to the extension's core function, and not used to decide creditworthiness or lending.

The listing does not link to a privacy policy.

This is the developer's own declaration in the Chrome Web Store. We cannot check it against what the extension does.

What Chrome asks you to allow

When you add it, Chrome asks you to allow it to:

• Read and change your data on www.nytimes.com

Derived from the manifest by Chrome's documented rules; the dialog's exact wording depends on your Chrome version and language. Chrome asks again if an update requests more.

What it can reach

Specific sites only: 1 match pattern.

• https://www.nytimes.com/* only www.nytimes.com

Routine for an extension

• Store data in your browser storage

Pages it runs its code on

It runs its own code on specific pages only: 1 site pattern.

• https://www.nytimes.com/puzzles/spelling-bee/* only www.nytimes.com

A content script is code the extension injects into pages matching these patterns. On those pages it can read and change what you see, whether or not a host permission is listed above.

How usual this is for its category

In Lifestyle · Fun, 10% of extensions ask for access to every site. This one: Access to specific sites only.

The typical extension there declares 1 browser permission; this one declares 1 browser permission.

Counted over the live extensions of the same category after our latest full pass of the store. A share is context, not a verdict: what is normal depends on what the extension is for.

Who uses it and how it is kept up

4 users

• Last updated in the store 223 days ago, on 2026-04-05.
• No new version in the last 90 days.

What the store shows

• Featured The store's badge for extensions that follow its recommended practices for Chrome extensions.

Has it asked for more over time?

This is the question a permission list on its own cannot answer. An extension that shipped narrow and widened later is a different proposition from one that always asked for the same thing.

The permissions this extension requests have not changed since we started watching it.

Who publishes it

Velius. This listing has been in the store since 2022-12-15 and was last updated on 2026-04-05.

Similar extensions that ask for less

Listings close to this one in what they say they do, which declare less reach. Less reach is not a verdict on either: compare what each needs for the job.

1. Spelling Bee Helper No permissions at all · No permissions declared 75 users ★ 5.0
2. NY Times Spelling Bee Word Stats No permissions at all · No permissions declared 3 users
3. Spelling Bee Assistant Access to specific sites only · 1 site pattern 1k users ★ 5.0

How to check or remove it in Chrome

1. Type chrome://extensions in the address bar and find the extension in the list.
2. Open its details. The site access setting shows where it can run; set it to run only on click and it reaches a page only after you press its icon.
3. To uninstall it, choose Remove on the same page.

Questions people ask

What can Helper Bee access?

Specific sites only: 1 match pattern. It declares 1 browser permission.

What data does Helper Bee collect?

The developer declares that it does not collect or use your data. This is the developer's own declaration in the Chrome Web Store. We cannot check it against what the extension does.

Has Helper Bee asked for more permissions over time?

The permissions this extension requests have not changed since we started watching it.

Does Helper Bee publish a privacy policy?

No, the store listing does not link to a privacy policy.