Data & privacy

Fetch request

Example: A neighborhood cafe owner opens DevTools, switches to the Network tab, and types a food cost into a free margin tool — when a fetch request fires on every single keystroke, it confirms each number is being sent off to someone else's server.

the browser sends data to a server

The browser's way of sending data to a server over HTTP. Visible in DevTools' Network tab. Modern tools may use fetch(), XMLHttpRequest, or a form submit to send input data onward.

Why it matters

If typing a number into a free tool's form triggers a fetch request, your input just left your device. The fastest safety check on any tool: open DevTools → Network, start typing, watch the request list. If it grows with every keystroke, the tool is logging what you type. See how we verified this for Margin Math.

Frequently asked

What is fetch request?

Fetch request is the browser's way of sending data to a server over HTTP. Visible in DevTools' Network tab. Modern tools may use fetch(), XMLHttpRequest, or a form submit to send input data onward.

Why does fetch request matter for a restaurant?

If typing a number into a free tool's form triggers a fetch request, your input just left your device. The fastest safety check on any tool: open DevTools → Network, start typing, watch the request list. If it grows with every keystroke, the tool is logging what you type. See how we verified this for Margin Math.

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