Google new privacy policy

Google's New Privacy Policy: What You Need to Know

On March 1, 2012, Google introduced a new privacy policy that combines and simplifies its existing policies across all its services, including Google Search, Gmail, Google Drive, and more. Here's a breakdown of the key changes:

What's changing:

  1. Unified policy: Google is consolidating its various privacy policies into a single, more straightforward policy.
  2. Cross-service data sharing: Google will be able to share data collected from one service with other Google services, such as using your search history to personalize your Google Maps experience.
  3. More personalized ads: Google will use the data collected from your use of its services to show you more targeted and relevant ads.
  4. Changes to Google's data retention policies: Google will retain certain data for longer periods, such as search queries and location data.

What's not changing:

  1. Data collection: Google will still collect data from your use of its services, including search queries, location data, and other information.
  2. Data sharing with third parties: Google will still share data with third-party services, such as advertisers and analytics providers.

What you can do:

  1. Review your Google account settings: Check your Google account settings to see what data is being collected and how it's being used.
  2. Opt out of personalized ads: You can opt out of personalized ads by visiting the Google Ads Settings page.
  3. Use incognito mode: Use Google's incognito mode to browse the web privately and avoid data collection.
  4. Consider using alternative services: If you're concerned about Google's data collection and sharing practices, consider using alternative services, such as DuckDuckGo for search or Microsoft's Outlook for email.

Key takeaways:

  1. Google's new privacy policy is more transparent: The policy is easier to understand and provides more information about how Google collects and uses your data.
  2. Data sharing is a key aspect of the new policy: Google will share data collected from one service with other Google services, which may raise concerns for some users.
  3. You have control over your data: You can review your Google account settings, opt out of personalized ads, and use incognito mode to limit data collection.

Remember, it's essential to stay informed about the privacy policies of the services you use, and to take steps to protect your online privacy.