Privacy Policy
Last updated: November 7, 2026
This policy covers Backyard Hostess CFO (the "application"), a private Windows desktop application used by The Backyard Hostess to run its own business. The only Google account connected to it is the owner's.
Google permissions the application requests
| Permission | What it's used for |
|---|---|
calendar.app.created | Create and manage one separate "Backyard Hostess" calendar and its events. |
calendar.calendarlist.readonly | List the owner's calendars so the owner can choose which to show. |
calendar.events.readonly | Read events on the chosen calendars. |
drive.file | Create and use only the files this application made: the holiday order form and the private order Sheet. |
script.projects | Create and update the Apps Script code of the holiday ordering page. |
script.deployments | Publish and update that ordering page, including opening or closing it. |
The ordering page runs separately inside the owner's Google account with its own permissions: spreadsheets (save order requests to the private Sheet), script.send_mail (send order emails) and script.scriptapp (retry unsent emails on a timer). Its code has no function for visitors to read or list orders.
Google data the application accesses
- Calendar: the names of the chosen calendars, and each event's title, times, location and link.
- Order form and order Sheet: what customers submit: name, email, phone number, delivery address if any, dishes, requested date, dietary needs and notes.
- Ordering page: its code and deployment settings.
How the data is used
- To show the owner their calendars and keep business dates on the application's own calendar.
- To bring order requests into the application so the owner can review, invoice and prepare them.
- To keep the ordering page and form up to date.
Google user data isn't used for advertising and isn't sold. The application's optional AI assistant doesn't read calendar events or holiday orders.
The application's use and transfer of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.
How the data is stored
- The application stores data in a database on the owner's Windows computer. Its server accepts connections only from that computer.
- The Google sign-in is stored on that computer, encrypted with AES-256-GCM. The application's logs remove tokens and secrets before anything is written.
- The database is backed up to a folder on that computer.
- Order requests also stay in the private Google Sheet in the owner's Google account, and the form and Sheet stay in the owner's Google Drive.
How the data is shared
Data is shared only as needed to run the business, when these things happen:
- Square: when the owner creates an invoice for an order, the customer's name, email, phone number and the order's dishes, prices and requested date are sent to Square.
- Email: order emails to customers and the owner are sent through Google (from the ordering page) or the business's email provider, Spacemail (from the application).
- Google Calendar: business dates the owner chooses to sync, which can include customer names, are written to the application's own calendar in the owner's Google account.
How long the data is kept, and how to remove it
The application has no automatic deletion schedule. Business records stay until the owner removes them, and some are kept for bookkeeping.
The owner can disconnect Google in the application, which deletes the saved sign-in (for Calendar, it also removes the copied Google events from the application). Files already in Google stay there until the owner deletes them. Access can also be removed at any time at myaccount.google.com/permissions.
Customers can ask about or request changes to their information by emailing hello@thebackyardhostess.com.
This website
This site is a set of plain information pages. It has no sign-in and no forms, and doesn't set cookies. It is hosted on GitHub Pages, which may keep its own technical logs.
Changes and contact
If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted here with a new date. Questions: hello@thebackyardhostess.com.