Dev iconDevSep 23, 2026 ~1 min source read

How I built a 100% client-side privacy toolbox using vanilla JavaScript

I did what most of us do — Googled "free PDF metadata remover," clicked the first result, uploaded my file, waited 30 seconds, and downloaded the cleaned version. We've been trained to upload our most personal files to servers we know nothing about.

How I built a 100% client-side privacy toolbox using vanilla JavaScript
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I did what most of us do — Googled "free PDF metadata remover," clicked the first result, uploaded my file, waited 30 seconds, and downloaded the cleaned version.

We've been trained to upload our most personal files to servers we know nothing about.

All uploaded to some random website because they promise "free" conversion.

Building the complete brief

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The useful part

I did what most of us do — Googled "free PDF metadata remover," clicked the first result, uploaded my file, waited 30 seconds, and downloaded the cleaned version. We've been trained to upload our most personal files to servers we know nothing about. All uploaded to some random website because they promise "free" conversion.

How it works

  • You upload your file to their server Their server processes it (somewhere, somehow) You download the result You hope they delete your file (most don't, by the way) Meanwhile, your file just traveled across...
  • So I Built Something Different I spent the last few weeks building a suite of tools that run 100% in your browser.

Details worth keeping

Here's what happens when you use most online tools: Most "free" tools still make you upload everything. It's called PrivateToolbox, and here's what makes it different:

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