[PRIVACY] What Does Google Know About You? - Comments Page 1

You're right. It's all there. Even the additions to my grocery list on my phone, including actual voice recordings when I used the mic function to speak "coffee" and "white vinegar" to the list.
Emails, Amazon searches, YouTube videos sought and watched -- all of it.
Wow.
Is there any rational reason for probing into my privacy to this extent, or are "THEY" simply anal about other people's business? Should I leave my phone on my desk rather than take it to the bedroom at night? Does my phone contain covert technology that can turn it into a "bug"?
I am the most innocuous person on planet earth, and my affairs are less interesting than a toothpaste ad, so who would be interested in this data?
Wow. Just, wow.

How and what does Google collect if you do not have an Google account? I stay away from Google as much as possible..but sometimes watch youtube videos. Can they and are they collecting data on me even though I do not have an account? If so, how can I see or limit what they are collecting?

As I thought, Google are collecting all sorts of stuff about me; I have no dark secrets but object to my data being available to other people.
I use Duckduckgo for searches, as they don't collect data - and get better results than my wife using Google.
Thanks for the information,Bob,next stop my Google account to follow your steps to remove everything about me - and I'll be passing on your article to friends.

And I would bet that ALL that Google gathered info has a direct feed to ALL gubmint agencies as well. It's for our own good, ain't it?

Thank you, Bob, for the great instructions. I do have to think that Google even records my attempts to restrict its access to me! Nevertheless, I'm doing it!!

Surprised at the number of people who won't use Facebook for privacy reasons, but also use Gmail 😱

I don't really like being tracked like that, but at least it's up front to a certain extent and doesn't really affect my life. In fact isn't it better to get ads that might better pertain to you than useless ads? Much prefer that than the government spying on me under the pretext of security when who knows what else it will be used for.

YouTube will likely have a record of your YouTube visits. I found some really nice Navajo music I listen to in YEARS ago. It's gone now.

I got to the page when I clicked on your link. I signed in......NOTHING on the page was clickable. NOTHING. I clicked on the top of the page and it took me to SETTINGS. And that was mostly about my Gmail. Nothing close to what you said was there. The only thing that I could click and something happened, was a calendar on the top left. When I clicked on any date I got "Error 500" every time I clicked it.

Sure enough, there's my YouTube search history. A thousand years from now, paleoanthropologists will marvel when they find such things as my Jan 8, 2012 search for "shoelace tying" and Dec 22, 2011 search for "gorillas". I can understand searching for "shoelace tying", but I fail to comprehend why I searched for "gorillas".
And my Oct 16, 2013 search for "cat videos". Go ahead, roll your eyes. See if I care.

Surprised at how much tracking is done, especially from activity that is not from me but somehow tied to my Google account. While reading your article, I opened the Google link you posited. No other windows active and no searches taking place on any device. But Google history showed simultaneous searches of sites apparently in Italy, one a banking site and one a news site. I occasionally get a misrouted e-mail intended for a similar gmail address. I wonder if I'm also getting "credited" with someone else's searches.

Hmmm... well, there's nothing there. Everything in the history is "paused". I must have done this and deleted my previous history some time ago, maybe after having read another of your Google privacy articles... lol.

"Google wants to know everything about you, so that it can tell advertisers what you are likely to buy. There is nothing sinister about this;"

Oh Really! Sounds like Google should re-locate to North Korea.

You Tube is a subsidiary of Google since 2006, purchased for $1.6 Billion. Yes everything you watch and search is available on Google's History page.

What if you don't have a Goggle account Bob?
(Thank you)

Yes, Bob; can you tell what google knows about you if you use google search etc. but don't have a google account? Thanks!

Yes, Bob; can you tell what google knows about you if you use google search etc. but don't have a google account? Thanks!

I signed into Google in 1995. Google doesn't like sign-in prior to 2004. Does mean that I am NOT in the system?

I checked what they have on me and it's pitiful how little they know. They had youtube items I don't even remember but very recently I watched several different performances of each of two different pieces of music on youtube and none of that was there. I conclude that even if you have a Google account, if you don't sign in (or check the box that says stay signed in) it won't show. Inasmuch as I use DuckDuckGo for searches and sign into Google only to use the mailbox, it's academic. I conclude it is really easy to protect your privacy. "Pause" all settings on Google, never let your webmail host know even your name, never enter your personal data anywhere else and never join Facebook and you're as good as invisible.
Am I right, Bob?
I'm more interested in making sure I don't get spam. Occasionally a spam email will promise to remove my email address if I just so request, but friends tell me that just assures them you're a "live address." But to do nothing means I just keep getting more of it. Suggestions?
To the guy who says he signed into Google in 1995: Try signing out. Bob's "history" check will tell you if you're signed in and in the system.

I had turned off everything I could related to Google searches several days before this post, Bob. Maybe that's why I could not find my history of searches on Google. Or, have I missed how to locate list(s). I confess that I am not totally tech-savvy, so please, anyone comment on what I most likely did wrong. Thanks

Can/does Google collect data when you are not signed in; or on another browser; or are surfing in "private mode?"