Almost every internet user uses the search site or one of Google’s other services, such as Gmail’s mail, on a daily basis. The company knows a lot about its users. So it’s important to determine what Google can and cannot know about you.
Google and privacy
Google launched a site with information about your privacy at Google. Here’s what Google stores about you and what is done with it. For example, Google saves searches so that it can make the services more relevant to you. Google sums it up: “We also use data to show relevant ads so we can offer our service to everyone at no cost. We don’t sell your personal data. And you decide what types of data we collect and use.” Read more on privacy.google.com.
View and manage data
Google has all kinds of ‘tools’ (as they call them) for setting up and managing your data. These are on the website My Account. The page has different appearances depending on whether you are signed in with your Google account or not. The options on the website can be roughly divided into two types: the things that every internet user can set and the parts that are only for logged in Google users. In this article we discuss the settings that can be changed for everyone.
There are only two things you can set if you are not signed in with a Google account. First, whether personal advertisements are shown on websites. Second, whether your search behavior is used for Google’s statistics.
Disable Personal Ads
Personal ads are messages that Google thinks will appeal to you. Google draws that conclusion based on your search behavior. Turn this feature off if you don’t like it.
- Go to www.google.com/settings/ads/anonymous
- Click on the blue slider behind ‘Personalize advertisements on the internet’ > Switch off > OK.
- Click behind ‘Personalize ads on Google Search’ on the blue slider > Switch off > OK.
Both sliders are now gray. The personal ads are disabled. You repeat this procedure once for each Internet program you use.
Disable Statistics
Google uses data about internet behavior for the statistics. What exactly happens with that is not entirely clear. In any case, this option can be turned off. To do this, add a utility to the browser. This extension protects your data. Apply these in any internet program you use, for example Chrome and Firefox. By the way, the extension is not available in Edge.
Turn off statistics in Chrome
- Open the website https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Click on the blue button at the top right.
- The Chrome Store for Tools and Apps opens. Click on the blue button in the window add on Chrome.
- In the small window that appears, click Add extension.
The utility has been activated. You can close the website.
Disable Statistics in Firefox
- Open the website https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Click on the blue button at the top right.
- A new page opens. You will see general terms and conditions in a box. Click below the frame on Accept and install.
- click on OK.
Firefox restarts and protection is enabled.
Disable Statistics in Internet Explorer
- Open the website https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Click on the blue button at the top right.
- A new page opens. You will see general terms and conditions in a box. click on Accept and install.
- click on To carry out > Yes.
- click on Restart now.
- The browser will restart. Click in the yellow bar at the bottom Switch. You’re done.
- Doesn’t a yellow bar appear? Then you have to enable the extension manually. Click the gear button at the top right and then Manage add-ons > Toolbars and Extensions > Google Analytics Opt Out Brow > Switch > Close.
Knowing more?
On the website My Account you can sign in to your Google account and view and go through all the options at your leisure. Take your time because the site is a bit messy and there are a lot of things to click on and change. Do you get lost on the site? Then go back to My Account via the link for this.