How Google Tracks you?

It's no secret that Google knows a lot about you. It recently made headlines when the internet realized every time someone speaks to Google, it records their voice. But that isn't it. There is something more, let's find out!

One of the more interesting places to check out what Google really knows about you is to head over to its ad settings page where (if you're signed into your Google account) you'll see a profile Google has built for you based on your search history, YouTube history and interests. So, for example, it might know that you're male, aged 18-24 and interested in Computer and technology,consumer electronics, mobile phones, rap and hip hop and toys.

Google doesn't make a huge song and dance about its in-depth knowledge of its users, but at the same time it doesn't keep it a secret either. Here's how to find out what Google knows and take control of your data.

Google Records your voice

Google Records you every time you say any word. And according to them they store this data "to improve efficiency of google search".

I think at some extent, that's true, you do need user's voice data to improve your voice recognition, but for some people this maybe offensive. Or some people might think what if google records our voice all the time?!

How to delete it: If you've used any of Google's opt-in voice features for yourself, then head to Google's Voice & Audio Activity page to review your voice searches and listen back to them. Spoiler alert! this could be interesting, funny or just a bad voice search history! :P

Google saves all your search history

 Probably the least surprising of the lot,  but Google has all of your search  history stored up.

How to delete it: If you'd rather not have a list of ridiculous search queries stored up, then head to Google's history page, click Menu and then hit Advanced-All Time-Delete.

If you want to stop Google tracking your searches, head to the activity controls page and toggle tracking off.

Google tracks and records your Location

If you turned your Android Mobile Phone's location to "High Accuracy" you are allowing google to track you all the time. I saw the result and I was shocked. Google showed me where I have gone and what I have done there, It also has pictures/selfies you have taken at that particular spot.

To find out how google tracks your location head to Google Map's Timeline. 

You find your Location history there!

Unfortunately, you cannot delete that! ;) 

So, what you have learnt with all of this? Tell me in the comments section below.

Unlike my last blog, I am not gonna ask you to remove your Gmail account and never use it again, I also cannot afford to do that. So, instead I have given you the links to conveniently delete your tracking history. But, this doesn't mean that you you are completely safe from Google and now on Google cannot track you. Even though you delete your Search history and voice history, You cannot remove it from Google's Servers. So, be aware while using the Internet!

Source:

Wired

TechnoBuffalo