Introduction
You may be aware that Google tracks what you do on its devices, apps, and services. But you may not be aware of how far Google's tracking reach extends, into the places you go, the purchases you make, and much more. There is a lot of information collected. Still, you have more control over what Google does with it and how long it retains it. as shown here. It is important to emphasise that we are discussing two subjects here. One is the large quantity of information that Google gathers about you. Second is what it does with it. Users may disagree, but Google would contend that its data collection practices improve its services. They are helping you choose a cafe that is like the one you have loved in the past, for example. Google offers a wide range of goods and services that are used by many millions of people every day as one of the most valuable firms in the world. But what information about you does Google have? How much data does it gather, too? More than you might think, probably.
Why Google Follows You Everywhere?
It should come as no surprise that Google gathers information from users of its services and products, whether those users are using Chrome, YouTube, email, maps, or search. These details are priceless because they provide Google with information on who you are, what you do, what interests you, how you act, and how you respond. In other words, it almost discloses every aspect of your consumer behaviour.
It seems that most individuals are either not aware of this or are willing to compromise their privacy to use Google products for nothing. But there is a whole movement that is focused on getting rid of Google from one's life. The movement, known as De-Google, is driven by campaigners who contend that the tech giant's dominant position constitutes a serious threat to privacy as such. Can you unGoogle your life? By adjusting app permissions, making improvements to your computer and smartphone, altering location settings, and other methods, you can reduce the amount of information Google collects about you. But in reality, none of this will get rid of Google from your life.
How Does Google Track You?
Here are the ways Google tracks you and how you can avoid it:
1. On the Web
The Activity Controls page in your Google Account online is where you should start if you want to change Google's monitoring practises. If you are signed into Google on your browser right now, clicking that link ought to take you right there. Six categories make up the information that Google has on you. Using the on-screen toggle switches, you can disable tracking for any of them. The largest parts are the top two, Web & App Activity and Location History. The first category is Web & App Activity, which, as the name suggests, includes everything you do when logged into Chrome, all your Google searches, and your activity inside Google's apps. Select the Delete activity by the link on the left if you want to remove everything. To remove everything Google has on you in this Web & App Activity category, pick All time as the date range, All products as the filter, and click OK.
Another choice, made available, is to have Google delete everything older than three months or older than 18 months. Clicking the "Choose to Remove automatically" button at the top of the activity list will cause these options to show up. Location History, which mainly collects information from your phone, operates in a somewhat different manner. Once more, clicking the Manage activity link will allow you to view and modify the information Google has collected about you. But, this time, the records are displayed on a map, so you can see the small red dots that indicate the locations you've visited. You can also use the drop-down choices in the top left corner to view a more granular time frame. Click the trash can button in the lower right corner and it will display whether you are viewing a single day or your whole location history. Click to remove this information from Google's databases. Select Remove halt from the day from the three dots next to a specific location to remove it from the record.
2. Technology, Audio, YouTube, and Gmail
Device Information makes up the third group of Activity controls. This mainly refers to mobile devices that you have linked to your Google account. It does not include much in the way of specific device activity, which you have already looked over under Web & App Activity. Here, selecting "Delete All" will clear all your history rather than just certain entries. Voice and audio activity are listed fourth. All your Google Assistant commands, whether spoken to a smart speaker or your phone, are stored here. If you select Manage Activities, you can hear the audio recording as well as a list of everything you have said.
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Your Mobile Devices And Targeted Advertising
To learn more about the ad profile that Google has created for you, go here. Again, you must be logged in. Your age and gender are displayed at the top, followed by a long list of topics that Google believes you are interested in. Click on any of these entries and select Turn off to remove it from the database. Use the toggle switch at the page's top to reject ad personalisation. Be aware that doing this will not impact how many ads you see or how much information Google gathers about you. But, it does at least prevent Google from connecting the two. The number of adverts you view will remain constant.
What Does It Do With Your Information?
When Google collects information, personal information like names and addresses tend to remain private and are not disclosed to third parties . The majority of the time, Google uses the data it gathers for marketing activities. Hence allowing advertisers to make use of the information without disclosing the name of the final consumers. The next time you see a restaurant suggestion, know that Google's algorithm thinks you would like the restaurant they're recommending to you. These suggestions are based on a variety of factors, including the kinds of restaurants you have been to in the past and the places you have travelled.
Conclusion
Google, in a nutshell, is everywhere, and whether or not you use its products, it is still gathering information about you. Further it is using that information to construct a unique profile that allows it to influence what you see online. Without your knowledge or express approval, all this almost always takes place in the background. Is it ever possible to avoid Google's omnipresent gaze? Sure, but a wider perspective is needed. Use none of Google's services or products if you don't want the company to track you.
