I have used DDG on a few occasions and for me the results are not nearly as satisfactory. No doubt the difference is Google better understands what I'm actually searching for based on past results. It's a balancing act with faster and more pertinent results compared to "Hey we don't track you".
That "search data" benefits me as much as it does Google IMO. I don't worry that Google is going to sell it or not properly protect it either.
You know what will help you get better search results on search engines that don't store a history about you? Better articulation on what you're "actually" searching for. This approach works very well for me on every search engine.
As for "I don't worry that Google is going to sell it or not properly protect [my search history] either," I can only say this: it's all fun and games until you start searching for methods of poisoning and how to bury a body ...
yeah, that's why you shouldn't mix business and pleasure!
The problem with Facebook, Amazon, Google, etc is that they have been less than forthcoming in the past, and downright deceptive at times. Now they tell us they are collecting data (or audio,) but we have to take them at their word that it's anonymized, etc. How are we supposed to trust corporations that have lied to us in the past and have a financial incentive to continue doing so?
You know what will help you get better search results on search engines that don't store a history about you? Better articulation on what you're "actually" searching for. This approach works very well for me on every search engine.
As for "I don't worry that Google is going to sell it or not properly protect [my search history] either," I can only say this: it's all fun and games until you start searching for methods of poisoning and how to bury a body ...
I have used DDG on a few occasions and for me the results are not nearly as satisfactory. No doubt the difference is Google better understands what I'm actually searching for based on past results. It's a balancing act with faster and more pertinent results compared to "Hey we don't track you".
That "search data" benefits me as much as it does Google IMO. I don't worry that Google is going to sell it or not properly protect it either.
I would think it's obvious I don't have a problem finding stuff thru a search engine. LOL... But I CANNOT find some of the things I look into as easily and certainly not as quickly with not-Google search engines, and some things not at all. Example, researching particular patent filings or discovering scholarly articles connected to some topic I have an interest in. Google does have some unique search options that are not replicated by other engines.
Where is the guarantee that google won't continue collecting the information even if you turn these things off?
Comeon! Don't you trust Google to keep your information safe now that they have convinced you that they are deleting your data! They only have 3 months to sell the data before they "have to" delete it!
Just like Facebook... Well find out that they are really collecting it and selling it anyway long after the 3 months is over! At least, that's what I presume based on their track record.
It's part of their "bundles" announced as coming soon back in September last year. It's simply another category (there are other bundles) meant to help Gmail users organize their email, replicating a feature of some "smart" 3rd party personal mail apps that help separate your emails into more helpful segments than simply "Important" "Spam", "Promotions", "Social" and "Everything else".
I don't see anything creepy about it. It's in your private email, no real difference between that and machine scanning mail into a "Spam" folder which just about every provider does now. This is just far more useful. Doesn't your own email service try to automatically route emails into different boxes depending on topic or type? If not it's a poor email provider IMO.
Frankly I appreciate email organizers that help me save time in looking over my inbox and have been using Spark for this same automatic box routing. Eventually I can probably dump a third party app and just use Gmail to do the same thing. The fewer people with fingers in my email the less likely something "leaks".
If he was seriously confused and concerned about it he could have simply searched it up like I did. Google has used AI to intelligently put emails into fairly broad categories for quite awhile. Over time they're getting better at it and can now break things down for you more accurately and consistently tho they still make the occasional mistake and require you to manually tell Gmail that something has been miscategorized.
Lazy journalists and haters see ghosts in every corner.
When you use Google sites, apps, and services, some of your activity is saved in your Google Account. Most of this data is kept until you delete it, like when you manually delete or set time periods to automatically delete your data in My Activity. Some data may expire sooner.
When you delete data, we follow a policy to safely and completely remove it from your account. First, deleted activity is immediately removed from view and no longer used to personalize your Google experience. Then, we begin a process designed to safely and completely delete the data from our storage systems.
Even when activity is deleted, some data about your use of Google services may be kept for the life of your Google Account. For example, after you delete a search from My Activity, your account will store the fact that you searched for something, but not what you searched for.
Sometimes we retain certain information for an extended period of time to meet specific business needs or legal requirements. When you delete your Google Account, much of this information is also removed.
From the Google Support site. It just ain’t possible to delete everything they track about you.
Good to see the usual apologists are out in force in the comment section.
Yes, it was a great article, timely and instructive. Many of the comments that followed, not so so much IMO.
It's OK to be mistaken, heck I've had to admit to a mistake on a post here on occasion, say "I was wrong" when presented with new info, one this past week AAMOF. More often than that I come on the forum with one viewpoint and finish with a different one because some or one of the fine members here has taken the time to explain things more clearly. To me that's what this forum is for.
There's a very small core of what I'd call "Google hater" alphas here who would never admit to a mistake under any circumstance, obstreperously distributing misinformation and sometimes outright FUD as tho they're somehow being helpful. They really aren't and that's definitely NOT what the forum is for.
Ah, the irony of making a video describing how to manage Google's problematic privacy options... and hosting it on YouTube.
Been using YouTube before Google started tracking their users, this is why you never share info with Google. Those who used their real names etc. with Google+ are now enslaved by master Goog.
Would love it if Apple made an alternative that actually paid well and didn't censor content that goes against daddy Googles beliefs.
Comments
I would think it's obvious I don't have a problem finding stuff thru a search engine. LOL...
But I CANNOT find some of the things I look into as easily and certainly not as quickly with not-Google search engines, and some things not at all. Example, researching particular patent filings or discovering scholarly articles connected to some topic I have an interest in. Google does have some unique search options that are not replicated by other engines.
https://daringfireball.net/linked/2019/05/17/gmail-tracks-purchas-history
Just like Facebook... Well find out that they are really collecting it and selling it anyway long after the 3 months is over! At least, that's what I presume based on their track record.
I don't see anything creepy about it. It's in your private email, no real difference between that and machine scanning mail into a "Spam" folder which just about every provider does now. This is just far more useful. Doesn't your own email service try to automatically route emails into different boxes depending on topic or type? If not it's a poor email provider IMO.
Frankly I appreciate email organizers that help me save time in looking over my inbox and have been using Spark for this same automatic box routing. Eventually I can probably dump a third party app and just use Gmail to do the same thing. The fewer people with fingers in my email the less likely something "leaks".
If he was seriously confused and concerned about it he could have simply searched it up like I did. Google has used AI to intelligently put emails into fairly broad categories for quite awhile. Over time they're getting better at it and can now break things down for you more accurately and consistently tho they still make the occasional mistake and require you to manually tell Gmail that something has been miscategorized.
Lazy journalists and haters see ghosts in every corner.
Good to see the usual apologists are out in force in the comment section.
How your activity is deleted
When you use Google sites, apps, and services, some of your activity is saved in your Google Account. Most of this data is kept until you delete it, like when you manually delete or set time periods to automatically delete your data in My Activity. Some data may expire sooner.
When you delete data, we follow a policy to safely and completely remove it from your account. First, deleted activity is immediately removed from view and no longer used to personalize your Google experience. Then, we begin a process designed to safely and completely delete the data from our storage systems.
Even when activity is deleted, some data about your use of Google services may be kept for the life of your Google Account. For example, after you delete a search from My Activity, your account will store the fact that you searched for something, but not what you searched for.
Sometimes we retain certain information for an extended period of time to meet specific business needs or legal requirements. When you delete your Google Account, much of this information is also removed.
From the Google Support site. It just ain’t possible to delete everything they track about you.
It's OK to be mistaken, heck I've had to admit to a mistake on a post here on occasion, say "I was wrong" when presented with new info, one this past week AAMOF. More often than that I come on the forum with one viewpoint and finish with a different one because some or one of the fine members here has taken the time to explain things more clearly. To me that's what this forum is for.
There's a very small core of what I'd call "Google hater" alphas here who would never admit to a mistake under any circumstance, obstreperously distributing misinformation and sometimes outright FUD as tho they're somehow being helpful. They really aren't and that's definitely NOT what the forum is for.
"How to make Google automatically delete the data it stores about you"
Step 1:
Only buy authentic Apple devices. Stay away from the knockoffs.
Would love it if Apple made an alternative that actually paid well and didn't censor content that goes against daddy Googles beliefs.