diff --git a/auquotidien/modules/root.py b/auquotidien/modules/root.py
index da39a6d..3af7f45 100644
--- a/auquotidien/modules/root.py
+++ b/auquotidien/modules/root.py
@@ -808,8 +808,10 @@ class AlternateRootDirectory(OldRootDirectory):
             response.filter = {}
 
         response.filter['auquotidien'] = True
-        response.filter['gauche'] = self.box_side(path)
-        response.filter['keywords'] = template.get_current_theme().get('keywords')
+        if not path or path[0] not in ('api', 'backoffice'):
+            # api & backoffice have no use for a side box
+            response.filter['gauche'] = self.box_side(path)
+            response.filter['keywords'] = template.get_current_theme().get('keywords')
         get_publisher().substitutions.feed(self)
 
         response.breadcrumb = [ ('', _('Home')) ]
@@ -1103,7 +1105,8 @@ class AlternateRootDirectory(OldRootDirectory):
             r += htmltext('<input type="submit" value="%s"/>') % _('Load')
             r += htmltext('</form>')
 
-        r += self.links()
+        if get_cfg('aq-permissions', {}).get('links'):
+            r += self.links()
 
         cats = Category.select(order_by = 'name')
         cats = [x for x in cats if x.url_name != 'consultations' and x.get_homepage_position() == 'side']
@@ -1117,7 +1120,8 @@ class AlternateRootDirectory(OldRootDirectory):
             r += htmltext('</ul>')
             r += htmltext('</div>')
 
-        if Event.keys(): # if there are events, add a link to the agenda
+        if get_cfg('aq-permissions', {}).get('events') and Event.keys():
+            # if there are events, add a link to the agenda
             tags = get_cfg('misc', {}).get('event_tags')
             if not tags:
                 tags = get_default_event_tags()