With concerns about the use, and misuse, of digital data rising, Google has announced some new options to help users manage the data the search giant tracks on their activity.
And of all the data sources, your Google history may be the one you most want to keep private. I mean, Facebook has what you've Liked, what you've commented on, the Pages you interact with. But Google has all your weird queries, it knows how your twisted mind works. Scary right?
First off, Google is now giving users the capacity to manage what of their search data is tracked from within the Google app.
As explained by Google:
"Without ever leaving Search, you can now review and delete your recent Search activity, get quick access to the most relevant privacy controls in your Google Account, and learn more about how Search works with your data."
Up until now, the only way to review or manage this data, has been via your Google account, but now, the controls have been added to the search app, making it easier to manage your activity at any time.
Google's also added quick links to relevant privacy controls:
"For example, to control the ads you see when you search, we give you access to your Ad Settings. Additionally, you can access your Activity Controls to decide what information Google saves to your account and uses to make Search and other Google services faster, smarter and more useful."
It's a small update, but a relevant one, which will come in handy for those who want to stay on top of what Google tracks.
Of course, Google could still be tracking all of your activity, including what you've removed from your history. But either way, you'll feel better about managing such, so no harm no foul. Right?
Google has also put together a new, short video explaining how your personal data is used in its products.