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What does Google really know about us?

According to The Independent, Google’s new My Activity page collects all of the data that Google has generated through watching its users as they circumnavigate their way around the world wide web.

As to what Google has amassed about each user will depend on each user’s settings. Assuming someone only used Google to browse and it logged in for most of the time, this means just about everything is stored and cataloged. This amounts to every website visited as the use of any Google products, such as smartphone apps.

While Google has been relatively open with its users about the information it collects and collates, it has never placed all of the information in one place, or allowed its users to see exactly what the company holds on them. This includes:

The full list of pages visited;
Terms searched for;
YouTube videos watched;
Android apps accessed;
Other Internet activity.

The information is arranged over time, and filters can be applied to zero-in on specific dates. Users can also users can edit or delete their tracked behaviors.

Google indicates it is providing the information as part of its ‘open’ policy. It also claims it is a service, allowing users to rediscover the things they’ve previously searched for. Of course Google benefits as well, and the adverts that you see when you use Google services come from algorithms based on your most popular Internet searches. For those concerned about this Google, unlike Facebook, looks set to make such interest-based advertising optional, allowing users to opt-out of this ;service.’

One concerned social media user, Tracey Theisen (@TraceyTheisen) tweeted: “Go delete your personal data information via ‘My Activity’ feature. What does Google know about YOU?” However, another Twitter user Mekki MacAulay (@mekki) was in favor, tweeting: “Great to see.”

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Written By

Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

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