You Can't Hide from Google

If you're a regular user of any Google service (and who isn't these days?) you've probably seen a little notice appearing at the top of any given page when you first access it to do with "Google Privacy, Good to know," or "Google Privacy, these things matter."

So what's this all about? Nothing good, at least according to some sources.

By now we all know that Google has your fingerprints. It's lifted them from just about every cookie jar you ever raided. Your search history, your SMS history, your emails, what you've watched on YouTube (yep, even that video), maps you've accessed, and more. Want to know exactly what? Go to Google Dashboard, and log on with any Google account.

To learn more about Google's policy, you can go to Preview: Privacy Policy. Here's the gist of it:

"We collect information to provide better services to all of our users – from figuring out basic stuff like which language you speak, to more complex things like which ads you’ll find most useful or the people who matter most to you online.
We collect information in two ways:
  • Information you give us. For example, many of our services require you to sign up for a Google Account. When you do, we’ll ask for personal information, like your name, email address, telephone number or credit card. If you want to take full advantage of the sharing features we offer, we might also ask you to create a publicly visible Google Profile, which may include your name and photo.
  • Information we get from your use of our services. We may collect information about the services that you use and how you use them, like when you visit a website that uses our advertising services or you view and interact with our ads and content."
None of that is particularly terrifying - but what is of some concern to users is not so much the individual pieces of data Google has collected about you and your behavior, location, and preferences, as the totality of the picture created about you - and Google's willingness to share data individually about you. Previously, Google assured us that only data  in the aggregate was used by the search giant. Now:

"If other users already have your email, or other information that identifies you, we [Google Inc..] may show them your publicly visible Google Profile information, such as your name and photo.
Until now, your information on all these different services was mostly separate from other Google services you use.

Now it will be put all together, and Google has the right to use it internally and to create a profile with which to show you advertising targeted toward your interests, age group, location, and more. This information can also be requested by government and law agencies (globally)."

If you're one of those who would prefer to eliminate your tracks, try following the steps recommended in these articles:
This, of course, does not eliminate your activity history going forward.

I'm sure that this whole controversy is not over - so stay tuned as more information becomes available.

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