Privacy Policy —

University Writing Coach

Last updated: July 21, 2026

Advanced University Writing Coach ("the Add-on," "we," "our") is a Google Docs script created and distributed by Howard Isaacson ("the Developer"). This Privacy Policy explains what data the Add-on accesses, how it is used, where it is sent, and how it is stored.

Summary

The Add-on reads text from the Google Doc you are working in and sends that text to Google's Gemini API — using an API key that you provide and control — to generate writing feedback. The Add-on does not collect, receive, or have any server of its own; there is no Developer-operated backend. The Developer never sees your documents, your API key, or your feedback history.

What data the Add-on accesses

When you click a coaching button in the sidebar, the Add-on:

The Add-on does not access your Google account's email address, your Drive contents outside the active Doc and the Progress Log Doc it creates, your contacts, your calendar, or any other Google service.

Where your data goes

The text described above (document text, selection, or pasted rubric) is sent directly from your browser session's Apps Script execution to Google's Generative Language API (`generativelanguage.googleapis.com`), using the Gemini API key you personally generated and stored in your own Script Properties. This request goes directly from your Google account's script execution to Google's Gemini API — it does not pass through any server operated by the Developer, because the Developer does not operate a server for this Add-on.

Your use of the Gemini API is subject to Google's own terms and privacy practices for that API, which you agreed to when you created your API key. Review Google's Gemini API Additional Terms of Service and Google's Privacy Policy for details on how

Google itself handles data sent to Gemini.

Data storage and retention

The Developer does not operate a database, server, or analytics pipeline for this Add-on. We have no ability to access, export, or delete your data because we never receive it in the first place — all data described above lives entirely within your own Google account.

Children's privacy

This Add-on is intended for undergraduate university students and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13.

Changes to this policy

If this policy changes, the "Last updated" date above will be revised and, where required, users will be notified through the Add-on's listing or support channel.

Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy can be directed to: Isaacson.Howard@gmail.com

Developer: Howard Isaacson

Reads document text. It reads either your current text selection or the full body text of the active Google Doc, so it can generate relevant feedback.
Reads your pasted rubric text, if you use the Rubric Match Coach and paste assignment instructions or a grading rubric into the sidebar text box.
Reads and writes document-scoped properties. A short list of your recent coaching sessions (date, mode, discipline, and a short Coach's Note) is stored using Google Apps Script's `PropertiesService`, scoped to the specific Google Doc the script is installed in. This is not visible to anyone except someone with edit access to that Doc's script.
Creates a separate Google Doc, titled "Writing Progress Log — Advanced University Writing Coach," the first time you use any coaching mode. Each subsequent session appends a dated entry to this Doc. This Doc is created in your own Google Drive, under your own Google account — the Developer has no access to it.
- Recent Coaching History (in-sidebar): stored in Google Apps Script Document Properties, scoped to the Doc, capped at 15 entries. Deleting the Doc or removing the script's properties clears this data. It is never transmitted anywhere by the Add-on except to render it back in your own sidebar.
- Writing Progress Log (Google Doc): stored as a normal Google Doc in your Google Drive, under your ownership and control. You can delete, share, or restrict it exactly as you would any other Google Doc.
- API key: stored in Google Apps Script Script Properties, scoped to your copy of the script. The Developer never receives, stores, or has access to your API key.