{"id":1407,"date":"2018-08-28T11:49:17","date_gmt":"2018-08-28T18:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digivideoplus.com\/dv_blog\/?p=1407"},"modified":"2018-08-29T08:29:25","modified_gmt":"2018-08-29T15:29:25","slug":"google-privacy-settings-knowing-how-youre-tracked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digivideoplus.com\/dv_blog\/2018\/08\/28\/google-privacy-settings-knowing-how-youre-tracked\/","title":{"rendered":"Google privacy settings — check how you’re tracked"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another go at this topic, this time by PC World.<\/p>\n

The Google ecosytem is impressive, with devices and services which we use on a daily basis. Lots of services: search, contacts, calendar, web browsing, etc. Google Assistant, the digital personal assistant (butler). Lots of Google apps on our Android-powered smartphones. Google programs on our notebook and desktop computers. Even Chromebooks. And smart speakers.<\/p>\n

Paying for a smartphone which runs Android is one thing, but all those Google services generally are part of the “freemium” marketplace. So, is there a price to pay for all that convenience?<\/p>\n

Well, of course. The price is that we give away information (data) about ourselves: personal data, what we do and how often, where we go, what we read and search for, what we buy, … So, “eyes wide open,” is there any way to check on how we’re being tracked and to limit that? Sort of.<\/p>\n

This PC World article covers that “sort of” question regarding Google’s tracking: “Google Privacy Checkup FAQ: How to limit tracking and still use the apps you love<\/a>” (August 22, 2018).<\/p>\n

In response to an AP report<\/a> that showed Android phones still tracked location even with Location History<\/strong> turned off, Google changed some of the verbiage on its privacy page<\/a>\u00a0to be clearer, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to change its tactics.<\/p>\n

You might not know it, but you have a surprising amount of control over your Google account<\/strong>, as long as you know where to find all the switches. Here\u2019s everything you need to know about Google\u2019s privacy settings<\/strong>: where to find them, what you can turn off, and how it all affects your phone.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Recently when visiting the Google home page in a browser, there always was a nag to check my privacy settings. So, at least Google is encouraging more awareness about the settings.<\/p>\n

[The Privacy Checkup] page is accessible on any device or the web, and it\u2019s pretty easy to navigate. Near the top you\u2019ll see a box called Review your privacy settings<\/em><\/strong>, which leads to the Privacy Checkup<\/em> guide<\/strong>. Tap Get started<\/em> to get an overview of your current settings. By default, everything will be turned on, but there are several layers that can be switched off (or paused, as Google labels it).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read the full article, which discusses the different categories of settings, in each case answering these questions: What is it? How do I turn it off? Can I limit it (instead of turning it completely off)? How does it affect my phone? How do I get rid of old data?<\/p>\n