Google is the world’s leading Internet browser, responsible for everything from Google Maps to Gmail and YouTube, becoming increasingly popular.
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But is this a good thing?
Although it seems like something on the 1984 pages, Google monitors every little click you make online, from the things you buy to the videos you watch.
What does Google know about me?
Slowly, actually. Google tracks your search and browsing history, keeping tabs on every website you visit. It also creates a private map of your destination with logged-in devices, compiled by a specialist to improve map search and “more”.
But that is just the tip of the iceberg. If you are using an Android phone, Google has access to your contacts, calendars, and any apps you may download.
And if this isn’t enough to scare you, Google also keeps a short record of your voice, as well as your YouTube browsing history and any personal ads. Google knows more about you than you think it does.
When you use its products, such as Gmail, Google Search, or even an Android phone, the company collects your data to make its services better for end-users. CNBC recently showed you how to find out what Facebook knows about you, so now we’re back with data on what Google knows, too.
It’s no secret that he is aware of this – a quick review of his privacy policy makes it clear that Google knows this information – but it might surprise him as much as he does.
- Your name, gender, and date of birth.
- Your cell phone numbers.
- Your recent Google search.
- Websites you have visited.
- That you turned on the lights in my room last night.
- Exactly where you went a few years ago.
- That you love American football, sports, jazz, audio equipment, my favourite food and drink, and more.
- Where you work.
- Where you live.
- YouTube videos you watched and my YouTube search.
- Each time you use my voice to interact with Google Assistant (complete with my voice recording.).
Find out which ad Google thinks you are most interested in
First, be sure to sign in to your Google Account and then tap this link to Manage Ads Settings, which shows exactly which topics Google thinks you like. You will see an image similar to the one above. Scroll down the page and you will see your gender, age, and ads you have blocked.
How to Limit This Information :-At the top of the Ads Settings Management Page, change the button to turn off “Personalized Ads.”
Find out if Google knows where you have been
The Google Location History page shows a complete guide to every place you go, in addition to your home and work, which you may have saved on Google Maps. Know almost every place I have been to since 2010. The map above shows a detailed look at the places Google knows I have visited.
How to limit this information:-Under “Location History Page” tap “Pause Location History.”
See your Google activity :-Google stores data on the voice actions you have requested from a Google Assistant, either on a smartphone or Google Home and on sites you have visited. Here you can see it following me asking Google Home to turn off the living room lights (complete with audio recording) and to visit the Apple Care website. Visit the Google My Work page to see your history.
How to Limit This Information :- Visit the Google and Work Web Page and click on “Manage activity.” Restricting what Google stores.
See your YouTube activity :- Google always checks your YouTube Search and YouTube Watch History. You can see exactly what Google knows you have watched or searched on YouTube by clicking on any of those links.
You can limit what Google keeps :- Do you want to limit what Google can find and share with you beyond the links provided above? Be sure to use its Privacy Check tool. You can also visit the Tasks page and change everything so that Google can stop checking your location, device information, web and app activity, voice and audio activity, YouTube search and watch history, and more.
Google is transparent about all of this :- In terms of its credit, Google does not prevent users from letting users know what data they collect and why. Its “Your Data” privacy page means it keeps track of the things you create, such as emails, contacts you add, calendar events, and photos you upload.
It also stores your name, email address, date of birth, gender, phone number, and country. It collects data for which videos you watch, ads you click, your location, device details, IP address, and cookie data. It says it does this to “make [their] services better for you, which is true: If you block everything and block Google’s ability to show you more content that they think you will like. Google even allows users to download all their data, including photos, emails. , contacts, bookmarks, etc., to “copy, replicate or archive another service.”
Google promises to keep all this data safe during transit between your computer or smartphone and its servers. It also claims that its cloud infrastructure protects that data and that it does not give governments “direct access” or “back access” to any information. Google provides the public information on all requests and issues that may affect users.
Lastly, Google promises not to sell your data, but to use your information to “tailor ads” while you browse the web. It does not provide any of this information to advertisers.
So, what can I do?
While most people use the “In penny, pound,” approach to online privacy these days, there are steps you can take to limit the amount of data stored.
Just log in to your Gmail or Google Account and type “history.google.com/history” in a web browser, where you will be taken to the hub that contains your digital tracker.
Go to “Activity Controls” and under “Web Activity and Applications” you should see a blue transition. Close and this should stop Google from storing your data.
As an additional step, visit “Personal Information and Privacy” and scroll down to “Manage Your Content”. Click “Download Your Data” if you want to save tabs in your Web History, then delete the Google record by visiting the “My Work” screen and selecting “Delete Tasks By”. And you should be able to clean up any loose ends.
How to stop Google from following you
On Android :-
- Click Security and location under the main settings icon.
- Scroll down to the Privacy tab and tap Location.
- You can turn it off on every device.
- Turn off access to various applications using application-level permissions. Unlike the iPhone, there is no setting While Using. It is not possible to disable Google Play services, which provides your location in a few other applications if the service is left unlocked.
- Sign in as a guest on your Android device.
- Be aware of which services you sign in to, such as Chrome. It is also possible to change search engines even in Chrome.
On iOS :-
- If you are using Google Maps, change your location settings While using the app. This will help prevent the app from accessing your site when it is not working.
- Go to Settings> Privacy> Location Services and select Google Maps to make changes.
On any device:-
- Go to myactivity.google.com.
- Go to Task Controls in the top-left drop-down menu.
- Both Location History and Web and Applications should be turned off. This should prevent accurate location tags from being stored in your Google Account.
- You will receive a warning from Google that some of its services will not work as these settings are turned off.
- A digital concierge, a smart Google Home speaker, or a Google Assistant will not be particularly helpful.
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