Whenever any of us are in any kind of fix we just open Google in our phones or desktops and ask our queries. 99% of the time we end up finding the answer we were looking for. “Let’s Google it” has become one of the most used lines of our generation and it goes to show how much we have grown accustomed to Google being a part of our lives. While Google offers everything we can ask of it, we have to do it by sacrificing our privacy, most people claim that Google keeps an eye on their users and it is true to some extent. So doe Google knows everything about me? Search engine giants like Google and Facebook can be called an over the top surveillance service based on user behavior and patterns. If you are worried about what Google knows about me and what does Google do with my data? You should read ahead.
While most people are very cautious about their privacy, some people think that Google’s password encryption is worth losing their privacy. However, to make an informed decision about whether Google is keeping an eye on us or not. The first thing you need to do is to understand how much Google knows about us and how it collects all its information about us. Once it has the information, and what Google does with this information?
Little Information About Google
Google and YouTube, are the two biggest search engines in the world and they are a subsidiary of “Alphabet Inc” one of the biggest companies in the world. When you talk about Traffic, Google and YouTube rank on no 1 & 2 respectively. Google is a huge brand in itself and it serves over 4.5 Billion users in 160 companies who speak over 123 different languages.
To give you a perspective on how depended we are on Google, let’s go over some stats:
- There are over 2 trillion searches on Google every year that means 40,00 searches every second.
- Google holds over 78% of the search market shares
- More than 1 Billion users worldwide use Google’s products.
To conclude, millions of people every day interact with Google in one way or another. Google contains all the information about almost all the people who are alive on earth. This information may seem a lot but it seems even bigger when we look more closely at what Google knows about each individual who uses their services.
How Does Google Collect Information About You?
In simple terms, Google learns the information that you tell it. By clicking I agree on the privacy policy, you allow Google to access your personal information on all Google products. So if you are wondering how does Google knows everything about you? Privacy policies are one of the biggest ways how Google knows about me and you and everyone who uses Google. You grant Google permission to track your activity and learn more about you! They will collect the data about you from these sources.
Apps, Browsers & Devices
We’re pretty sure that up to this point you must be curious as to what Google knows about me and what does Google does with my data. Google basically collects information from your device and uses it to learn more about your device. If you use the same device to use all the Google services that you signed in with, Google will display ads and other content based on your activity. The good thing is that the data you get is not associated with you by your name or any other personal information. The ads are shown to you based on your recent activity.
Google also collects information about you based on your browser you are using and the things you are searching for. The apps you have installed on your phone also gives some information to Google. So now you know the answer to what Google knows about you!
Android Devices
If you use an Android device then Google receives regular updates about your activity as your account is constantly signed in to Google. This information usually includes device type, Carrier name, crash reports, and the apps you have installed on your phone.
Activity Tracking
This is another way Google learns about you, so the next time the question “What Google knows about you” comes in mind. Know that your activity is being tracked by Google almost all the time. Every single click you make using their services is recorded and every word you type is stored into their database.
Google Sign-In Process
The most efficient way that Google collects information about you is Google Sign-In Process. When you sign in to Google with a device or for a new online service. You’ll be asked to use a Google Account to sign in so you don’t have to use a new username and password. These kinds of things force you to ask yourself does Google knows everything about me?
While Google has stores all the information about you, some people may ask how does Google know everything about you? Google doesn’t store your personal info like your texts or phone records or personal images. Google often stores your information to make your user experience better.
Google Home
If you use Google home then let us tell you that it is listening to you! Google home is often collecting personal information to learn about you, it monitors your interaction with your Google assistant as well. While some people are worried that Google can use Google home to keep a track of the personal conversation as well. The company gave an official statement to clear the paranoia. Google stated that Google home only processes speech after you say the words “Ok Google”.
Protecting your Privacy From Google
It is clear that Google is constantly growing themselves by learning more and more about the users, they also make it very easy for you to change your personal information and privacy settings. In your Google Dashboard, you can go through all the apps you have given permission to record your information. If you have stopped any app from storing the information then it will say “paused” in front of the app.
It is a good idea that you through all the apps on your phone and see which apps you have granted permission. So now you know what Google knows about you!