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Understanding Google Apps Script Permissions: Why PLANit Sheets Requests Access and How We Keep Your Data Safe

Updated: Oct 8, 2024


When you use a PLANit Sheets planner, you may notice features that ask for you to grant certain permissions in order to proceed. We understand that these requests might seem concerning at first glance and may raise questions about privacy and security. In this blog post, we want to explain exactly why we need these permissions, how they work, and what we do to keep your data safe.

Why Does PLANit Sheets Request These Permissions?

Our PLANit Sheets planners are designed to help reduce your mental load and time spent doing life admin. To do this, we use a feature called Google Apps Scripts to allow some of the more advanced features. Google Apps Scripts needs to be able to interact with your Google Sheets in specific ways, such as:

  • Automating Data Entry: An example of this is where Planit Sheets have "reset" buttons to allow you to quickly clear the user input to reset the sheet to use again next time. Without this automation through Google Apps Scripts, users would need to manually reset these fields, which can be time-consuming and is counterproductive to the purpose of the sheet.

The Security Risks and How We Mitigate Them

We know that granting these permissions might feel like a leap of faith. Here’s why you can trust PLANit Sheets with this access:

  1. Transparent Permissions Requests: When you connect any PLANit Sheets planner to your Google Account, you’ll see a clear list of the permissions we’re asking for. This includes access to your Google Sheets and the ability to send emails if you enable that feature. Google’s OAuth system is designed to be transparent, so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to.

  2. Why the Permissions Sound Broad: The permissions PLANit Sheets requests might sound broad, like “See, edit, create, and delete all your Google Sheets spreadsheets.” This language is used by Google to cover all possible actions an app could take with the permissions granted. However, PLANit Sheets only interacts with the specific sheets you’re using for meal planning. It will never access or modify any other documents unless you direct it to do so.

  3. How Google Ensures Security:

    • Verification Process: PLANit Sheets is subject to Google’s verification process. This means Google reviews our app, including its functionality and security measures, to ensure it meets their standards. Once verified, this adds an extra layer of trust for users.

    • User Control: You have full control over the permissions you grant. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or no longer need the service, you can easily revoke access through your Google Account settings.

  4. Our Commitment to Data Privacy: We take your privacy seriously. PLANit Sheets only uses the data it needs to provide the service you signed up for. We don’t access or store your information beyond what is necessary to deliver the features of the app. Additionally, we have strong security measures in place to ensure that your data is protected from unauthorized access.

How to Stay Safe When Granting Permissions

Here are some tips for staying secure when connecting any app to your Google Account:

  • Review Permissions Carefully: Always read the permissions an app is requesting. If something doesn’t make sense or seems overly broad, consider whether you’re comfortable granting that level of access.

  • Check App Reviews: Look at user reviews and ratings to see what others are saying about the app. Positive reviews from a large number of users can be a good sign that the app is trustworthy.

  • Use Google’s Security Features: Google provides tools to review and manage the apps that have access to your account. Regularly check these permissions and revoke access for any apps you no longer use or trust.

Conclusion: Why You Can Trust PLANit Sheets

PLANit Sheets is designed to make your life easier by automating and simplifying various aspects of your life admin. While we need certain permissions to provide these features, we’re committed to transparency and security every step of the way. We encourage you to review the permissions we request and feel confident that your data is in safe hands.

If you have any questions or concerns about the permissions we request, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your trust is our priority, and we’re here to help you understand and feel comfortable with the service we provide.

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