Taskbar Buddy Privacy Policy

Effective 23 September 2026 · Applies to Taskbar Buddy for Windows (Microsoft Store and website editions)

This app contains no analytics, no tracking, no advertising, and collects no personal data. It makes no network requests at all until you choose to unlock additional characters (the one exception is the edition downloaded from this website, which checks for app updates — see the end of section 3). Reminders you create stay on your own computer and are never transmitted.

This policy applies to the following application:

1. What we do not do

2. Data stored on your computer (never transmitted)

WhatWhere
Settings (enabled characters, size, phrases, behaviour frequencies)%APPDATA%\com.fish-zero.deskpet\
Reminders you scheduleSame folder, reminders.json. These never reach any server and work offline
Downloaded character packs%LOCALAPPDATA%\com.fish-zero.deskpet\
Unlock credentialWindows Credential Manager. Held by the operating system; the app's interface cannot read its value

In the website edition the folders are named com.coss.deskpet instead, with the same locations and contents. You may delete these folders at any time, or simply uninstall the app.

3. When the app connects to the internet

Only after you actively unlock a character. Until then — while using only the built-in characters — it sends nothing.

WhenWhat is sent
You press "unlock on this device"An empty request; the server returns an anonymous credential. No name, e-mail or device identifier is sent
You redeem an unlock codeThe code you typed
You download or update a characterThe character's id; the server returns the character files
Checking for messages, every 45 seconds once unlockedOnly the anonymous credential above
You open a link from a messageIt opens in your default browser (http/https only)
You buy a character or top up Pet Gems in the shopThe id of the item you buy; the server keeps your gem balance and transaction history. Top-up payments are handled by Gumroad — card and payment details go only to Gumroad, and we keep only the transaction id needed to credit your gems, not your payment or contact details

All traffic goes to this product's character service over HTTPS.

Connection records: once you have unlocked, the server records the time and IP address of the most recent connection for your account, used only to prevent abuse and keep the service running — never for analytics or anything else. You can ask us to delete it (see section 6).

Additional connections in the website edition

The installer downloaded from this website (not the Microsoft Store edition) updates itself and also includes the optional "Pet Universe" link, so it makes these connections in addition to the table above:

WhenWhat is sent
About 30 seconds after launch, then every 25 minutesAn update check that sends only the current version number and platform (Windows x64) — no credential or identifier. The server keeps no record of these requests
You press "Update"The new installer is downloaded and installed only after its signature has been verified
You create a pairing code in the LINE "Pet" game and enter it in the app (Pet Universe link)The pairing code you typed; the server returns a link credential
Once linked, roughly every 15–25 secondsThe link credential, to sync your active pet, friend list and inbox in Pet Universe
Once linked, you feed, pet or train your pet, or open today's fortuneThe action you took; the server returns the updated pet status
Once linked, you write to a friendThe message and the recipient; the Pet Universe server delivers it to them

The Pet Universe link is entirely optional and never happens unless you enter a pairing code; it connects to the Pet Universe server, also over HTTPS. The Microsoft Store edition is updated by the Microsoft Store and has no Pet Universe link, so none of the connections in this subsection apply to it.

4. Optional: signing in with an external account

The app offers optional account linking (Microsoft account, Google, LINE) so your unlocked characters and Pet Gems follow you to another computer. Only if you actively choose to sign in and authorise it do we receive the following:

Sign-in methodWhat we receive
Microsoft account, GoogleOnly the irreversible identifier that service provides. We do not receive your e-mail address or your name
LINEThe irreversible identifier and your LINE display name (shown on screen so you can see which account is linked). We do not receive your e-mail address

This data is used solely to attach your entitlements and Pet Gems to your account (the gems given when you first link an account are recorded there too) and for nothing else. If you do not use this feature, no such data exists. Some editions do not offer certain sign-in methods at all.

The app's use of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

5. Children's privacy

This app is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal data from them.

6. Your choices

7. Changes and contact

Changes to this policy are reflected in the effective date shown above.

Privacy enquiries: [email protected].

Developer site: fish-zero.com