How to Find Out What Google Really Knows About You

With tech giants such as Google gathering vast amounts of information, one of the major concerns of the digital age has been online privacy and data collection. Online platforms such as Gmail, YouTube, and Facebook all feed Google with information. It is, therefore, important to understand the impact on personal privacy, security, and digital footprint that Google's data collection connotes. This will allow users to make more informed decisions about their online activities.

Google’s Data Collection Practices

Google offers various services to its users through which data is mined and stored. Some of these services include:

• Search History: Google Search tracks and stores searches made on its platform to personalize results and ads. 
• Location Data: Google collects precise location information through GPS, WiFi, and IP addresses to improve personalized ads and ensure better experiences using Google Maps.
• Emails and Communication Data: Information from Gmail messages, files in Google Drive, and Google Chat interactions are scanned and used to improve user experiences and online security.

Other services include device information, voice and audio services, and browsing activity applications.

Search History

Google tracks and stores all queries initiated on an account, and the search history is stored long-term in the “Google My Activity” section. Users can view and delete past searches from this section. Understanding Google’s tracking and storing methods will help users be more proactive in controlling what part of their data is used.

Location Data

Google tracks location using Google Maps, IP addresses, Wi-Fi, and among other methods. When using Google Maps, GPS satellites track your precise location to create a timeline of your movement. Note that some apps can collect location data even when not actively used if an individual grants location permission.

Accessing Your Google Data

Google provides several built-in tools to allow individual users to view and manage data and digital footprints. To view your Google Account Data, visit https://myaccount.google.com. Google Activity shows a timeline of your Google Searches, and you can download data from Google Takeout. You can adjust settings on your Google Dashboard, and ad personalization settings can be managed at https://adsettings.google.com. You can also review passwords and permissions on your Google Security settings.

Google Account Dashboard

An individual can access and manage personal information, security, and data preferences by signing into their Google account via https://myaccount.google.com with their email and password. One can also manage data using Google services (YouTube, Gmail, etc.). Just click on your profile picture or initials at the top-right corner of the landing page and then click on “Manage your Google Account.” 

Google My Activity

Users can view their online activity through their Google accounts. Visit Google My Activity and sign in if prompted. Your web activity, including searches, website visits, and app usage, will pop up. The search bar will help you find specific activities. You can Delete or turn off “Web & App Activity” to pause tracking. 

Google Takeout

To download and export your data from Google using Google Takeout, deselect the services you do not need, choose the file type, and select the delivery method. Then, create the export and wait. Once ready, Google will email you a link to download the file.

What Google Knows About You

Data obtained from Google My Activity or Google Takeout can help users understand how much of their digital footprint is accessible to Google. Google has access to what you have searched for and when, a list of visited websites is a list of pages you visited, and your app usage. Google also has access to data about places you have been and your movement routine.

Google tracks your YouTube history, documents from your Google Drive, images in your Google Photos, and data from messages in your Gmail for data collection and use.

Personal Data

Depending on the type of device and services you use, personal data such as your contacts, emails, and calendar events can be accessed in several ways. Contacts are typically stored in Google Contacts,  linked to your Google accounts, and synced across devices. Calendar events are managed in Google Calendar and emails on Gmail can be accessed from anywhere via devices that have online access.

Behavioral Data

Your digital footprints reveal a lot about your interests, habits, and preferences. What you frequently search for is an indication of your interests. Your favorite type of content on YouTube suggests what you enjoy. Also, your online purchases show the kinds of services you pay for and what products you might buy. Your location history is an indication of where you frequently visit and places you love to be in. Your app usage shows how much time you spend on an app, and your email, contacts, and messaging apps show your communication patterns and suggest the type of relationships you have,

How Google Uses Your Data

Google collects data for many reasons, including targeted advertising, service improvement, and personalization. The reasons include security and fraud prevention purposes, service personalization, targeted advertising, service improvement and performance enhancement, and research and AI development (for example, speech recognition is improved as the Google Assistant learns from voice queries).

Advertising

Google uses data from various sources to understand your interests and behavior and then categorizes users into interest groups that fit relevant ads. Some of the groups include contextual targeting, location-based ads, demographic targeting, and retargeting.

Personalization

Google tries to personalize your search results and services by analyzing your activity, preferences, and behavior to make your user experience more relevant. Google also uses location data to customize results per user. For example, a user in Texas who searches for “restaurants” online will get suggestions for local restaurants instead of general restaurants in the country.

The language, interest, location, and demographic info help Google tailor the results.

How to Limit What Google Knows About You

To effectively limit how much of your data Google has access to and improve your privacy, you can adjust privacy settings on Google Activity Controls and disable ad personalization at Google Ad Settings. Also, use privacy-friendly browsing options like incognito mode and VPNs. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Regularly check account activity using Google Security Checkup and remove unnecessary permissions given to apps by visiting Google Account Permissions.

Managing Privacy Settings

To adjust privacy settings and manage data collection across various Google services, you can visit Google Activity Controls. To manage location data, visit Google Maps Timeline. To turn off YouTube watch history and search history go to YouTube History Settings. You can control ad personalization by visiting Google Ad Settingsand review  app permissions and third-party access by going to Google Account Permissions.

Using Incognito Mode

While using incognito mode helps improve online privacy and helps limit data collection in several ways, such as not saving browsing history and deleting cookies & site data, it does not completely make a user anonymous. Your employer, your ISP, or the websites you visit can still track your activity, except if you use a VPN or Tor. Also, logging into some online accounts, such as Facebook still allows those platforms to collect data even though you are in incognito mode.

For stronger privacy, use a VPN and use open-source privacy tools.

Deleting or Managing Data

To delete old data and control the type of information stored, follow these steps:

1. Clear Google search and activity data on Google My Activity. You can also enable Auto-delete.
2. Delete all Location History and stop tracking on Google Maps Timeline. You can also activate an auto-delete.
3. Delete Google Photos by selecting the images and delete. You can empty Thrashto permanently remove
4. Go to Google Password Manager to delete all old and unused passwords.
5. Manage YouTube watch history by visiting YouTube History.
6. Review and delete connected apps and devices on your Google Account.

It is important to regularly review your privacy settings on Google to ensure that no data is collected without your permission.

Controversies and Ethical Concerns

Google, as one of the most powerful tech companies, collects an enormous range of data that it uses in several ways. However, they have been sued for data breaches, and are the focus of ongoing debates about surveillance and user rights. 

Users of Google services have been concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding the extent of data collection. Another concern has been how data connects across services, making users feel like their privacy is being eroded by the amount of information sharing across platforms. There is also the controversy of user manipulation and subtle coercion through targeted ads. 

These concerns should make you more vigilant about your privacy settings and control how data is collected from you.

Data Security Issues

There was a Google+ Data Breach in 2018 where a security flaw in the Google+ API  exposed the private profile data of 500,000 users to third-party developers. Google did not disclose this flaw until much later after discovery, raising accusations about a cover-up and leading to the shutdown of Google+. In 2023-2024, a $5 billion lawsuit alleged that Google knew that incognito browsing was not truly private and that they continued to track users even in incognito mode in Chrome. In 2024, Google agreed to delete billions of records and clarify how incognito mode works. 

These security issues show that there is lack of transparency in data collection, a risk that data can be misused or sensitive data exposed, and fines or lawsuits do little to change anything. 

The Ethical Debate

Based on the large amount of data Google has access to, there have been ethical concerns based on consent, privacy, and corporate responsibility. Many users do not fully understand what data is collected, how it is used, and who has access to them. Unfortunately, Google’s privacy policies are long and filled with so much legal jargon that the average user does not understand enough to give informed consent. There is also the debate about Google collecting more information than is necessary to provide a service. Continuing to track a location after it has been turned off raises concerns.

Furthermore, there is evidence that Google complies with government requests for user data, raising concerns about mass surveillance, especially in countries with authoritarian governments.

Understanding what Google knows about you is key to deciding how much of your digital footprint you want to be stored for data collection purposes. Without proper control, your information can be leaked and exploited in data breaches. You could also consider using a VPN or privacy-focused alternatives while browsing. Take responsibility for reclaiming your digital privacy and taking control of your data.