Ask Kurt: How to navigate Google’s privacy settings

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Steve from Hartford, Connecticut, like many Individuals, is baffled by Google’s settings and lately despatched on this e mail query. This is what he requested: 

“I’ve my Google Net & Exercise, Location Historical past and YouTube Historical past all set to off – but all of them present “paused”. Give me a break are they on or off? Why not have only a Toggle Change? …They should simplify their settings and explanations… Is there a e-book or information on the market in plain language that explains easy methods to navigate and choose the proper settings choices all through Google? – Steve, Hartford, CT”

Hey Steve, I perceive your confusion, and I’m right here to assist make some sense of privateness settings. Navigating Google’s overly-complicated privateness settings may be overwhelming to say the least. They incorporate many various strategies to confuse and de-incentivize you from turning off their settings. 

For instance, you seen once you tried to show one thing off, it stated “Paused.” This implies the setting is off, however the phrase “Paused” may very well be interpreted that it is going to be turned again on in some unspecified time in the future. This is only one instance of the thoughts video games these settings can play on Individuals. Let’s try to simplify this course of and assist you to with some steps to maximise your privateness inside Google’s apps. 

How one can maximize your privateness inside Google’s apps 

1. Flip off “Net & App” exercise

“Net & App” exercise is mainly Google’s major device to reap your entire information. Depart this setting on, and Google interprets it as you giving them entry to your entire on-line exercise inside their apps. They then promote this information to advertisers, profiting out of your info. 

When trying to show the setting off, Google warns that this may increasingly lead to a much less customized expertise. That is their try at getting you to maintain handing over info. Nonetheless, regardless of dropping entry to some options in Maps and Google Assistant, the tradeoff seems to be value it for the privateness increase. 

How one can flip “Net & App” exercise off utilizing Mac 

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose Handle your Google Account, or click on on this link
  • Within the prime left, click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Scroll down and discover the field that claims Historical past Settings
  • Within the field, the primary row says Net & App Exercise; Click on on the blue examine subsequent to the phrase On 
  • Discover the field that claims Net & App Exercise and click on Flip Off on the correct
  • Choose Flip off and Delete exercise 
  • Click on Subsequent within the backside proper
  • Choose any Google merchandise you want to delete your exercise by choosing its respective field to the correct, checking it off, or clicking Choose All within the prime proper to delete all exercise
  • Click on Subsequent after which Delete upon getting confirmed you wish to delete. Then faucet Obtained it.

How one can flip “Net & App” exercise off utilizing iPhone

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose your Google Account, choose your account once more on the subsequent web page and click on Handle your Google Account, or click on on this link
  • Then faucet Information & Privateness close to the highest of the display
  • Scroll down and discover the field that claims Historical past Settings
  • Within the field, the primary row says Net & App Exercise; Click on on the > icon
  • Discover the field that claims Net & App Exercise and click on Flip Off on the correct
  • Choose Flip off and Delete exercise 
  • Click on Subsequent within the backside proper
  • Choose any Google merchandise you want to delete your exercise by choosing its respective field to the correct, checking it off, or clicking Choose All within the prime proper to delete all exercise
  • Click on Subsequent after which Delete upon getting confirmed you wish to delete. Then faucet Obtained it.

How one can flip “Net & App” exercise off utilizing Android

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose Handle your Google Account, or click on on this link
  • Click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Scroll down and discover the field that claims Historical past Settings
  • Discover the row that claims Net & App Exercise and click on the > icon
  • Discover the field that claims Net & App Exercise and click on Flip Off on the correct
  • Choose Flip off and Delete exercise 
  • Click on Subsequent within the backside proper
  • Choose any Google merchandise you want to delete your exercise by choosing its respective field to the correct, checking it off, or clicking Choose All within the prime proper to delete all exercise
  • Click on Subsequent after which Delete upon getting confirmed you wish to delete. Then faucet Obtained it.
Google logo over search engine results

There are various legitimate causes for permitting Google to provide third-party apps and companies entry to your information. It is extraordinarily handy and simple to make use of Google sign-in for different apps as an alternative of making a brand-new account. ( )

2. Restrict information sharing with websites and companies

This setting could be a bit conflicting for some of us. There are various legitimate causes for permitting Google to provide third-party apps and companies entry to your information. It is extraordinarily handy and simple to make use of Google sign-in for different apps as an alternative of making a brand-new account. It’s engaging to click on a button and have all of your contacts linked with different apps fairly than manually inputting each. 

Nonetheless, permitting this does jeopardize your privateness. Google now is aware of everytime you signal into one other app together with your Google sign-in and which service. This makes for simpler information grabbing. 

How one can flip off information sharing with websites and companies on Mac

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose Handle your Google Account, or click on this link
  • Within the prime left, click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Scroll down and discover the field beneath the heading Information from apps and companies you employ
  • Click on on Third-party apps & companies
  • Choose any apps you want to eliminate Google’s connections with
  • Click on the field on the underside that claims Delete all connections you might have with [website] and click on affirm.

How one can flip off information sharing with websites and companies on iPhone

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose your Google Account, choose your account once more on the subsequent web page and click on Handle your Google Account
  • Click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Scroll down and discover the field beneath the heading Information from apps and companies you employ
  • Click on on Third occasion apps & companies
  • Scroll down and choose any apps you want to eliminate Google’s connections with by clicking on it
  • Subsequent, scroll down and click on the field on the underside that claims Delete all connections you might have with [website] and click on affirm.

How one can flip off information sharing with websites and companies on Android 

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose Handle your Google Account
  • Click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Scroll down and discover the field beneath the heading Information from apps and companies you employ
  • Click on on Third-party apps & companies
  • Choose any apps you want to eliminate Google’s connections with by clicking on it
  • Click on the field on the underside that claims Delete all connections you might have with [website] and click on affirm.

3. Flip off Location Historical past

This one is fairly self-explanatory. With it on, Google shops the places you go and collects your location information. Nonetheless, the tough factor with this setting is that you should have Net & App exercise turned off on your Location Historical past to be totally turned off. 

How one can flip it off on Mac

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose Handle your Google Account
  • Within the prime left, click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Scroll down and discover the field that claims Historical past Settings
  • Click on on the row that claims Location Historical past
  • Click on on the field that claims Flip off
  • Choose Flip off once more after which Obtained it.

How one can flip it off on iPhone

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose your Google Account, choose your account once more on the subsequent web page and click on Handle your Google Account
  • Within the prime left, click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Scroll down and discover the field that claims Historical past Settings
  • Click on on the row that claims Location Historical past
  • Click on on the field that claims Flip off
  • Choose Flip off once more after which Obtained it.

How one can flip it off on Android

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose Handle your Google Account
  • Click on Handle your Google Account
  • Within the prime left, click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Scroll down and discover the field that claims Historical past Settings
  • Click on on the row that claims Location Historical past
  • Click on on the field that claims Flip off
  • Choose Flip off once more after which Obtained it.

GOOGLE CHROME’S “INCOGNITO” MODE MIGHT NOT KEEP YOU SO HIDDEN

4. Getting your private info off Google search

In case you have ever regarded your self up on Google, there’s a probability some outcomes popped up that you weren’t too keen on. It may be an odd feeling to see info you don’t keep in mind disclosing seem on-line for all to see. That is typically the results of search engines like google promoting your intimate information to anybody keen to pay. 

A brand new device on Google helps with this situation. You may ask Google to cease presenting this information in its search outcomes, making your specifics a lot more durable to find. The web sites with the knowledge should still be lively, however they are going to be harder to seek out. 

A web-based type, linked here, lets you choose which of your information you need off the net. It’s essential to provide the URLs of the pages that includes this info, and screenshots are additionally inspired. Click on Begin Removing Request and fill out the shape. 

HOW TO SCRUB YOURSELF OFF THE INTERNET

Desktop screenshot of removal request

If Google’s scarily particular adverts creep you out, you aren’t alone. Don’t be concerned, as there’s a technique to flip them off. ( )

5. Cease focused adverts

If Google’s scarily particular adverts creep you out, you aren’t alone. Don’t be concerned, as there’s a technique to flip them off. Right here’s how: 

How one can cease focused adverts on Mac

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose Handle your Google Account
  • Within the prime left, click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Discover the field that’s titled Personalised adverts and click on on My Advert Heart
  • Within the prime proper nook, click on on the field that claims Personalised adverts after which click on on Flip Off within the backside proper of the subsequent field. Then faucet Obtained it.

How one can cease focused adverts on iPhone

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose your Google Account, choose your account once more on the subsequent web page and click on Handle your Google Account
  • Click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Discover the field that’s titled Personalised adverts and click on on My Advert Heart
  • Within the prime proper nook, click on on the field that claims Personalised adverts after which click on on Flip Off within the backside proper of the subsequent field. Then faucet Obtained it. 

How one can cease focused adverts on Android

  • On the Google Chrome web page, click on in your icon within the prime proper nook and choose Handle your Google Account
  • Click on on Information & Privateness 
  • Discover the field that’s titled Personalised adverts and click on on My Advert Heart
  • Within the prime proper nook, click on on the field that claims Personalised adverts after which click on on Flip Off within the backside proper of the subsequent field. Then click on Obtained it. 
Cybersecurity lock graphic

Think about using a VPN to guard in opposition to who can observe you and determine your potential location on web sites that you just go to. ( )

6. Additional privateness safety utilizing a VPN 

Think about using a VPN to guard in opposition to who can observe you and determine your potential location on web sites that you just go to.

Many websites are in a position to learn your IP handle and, relying on their privateness settings, might show town from which you might be corresponding. A VPN will disguise your IP handle to indicate an alternate location.

For finest VPN software program, see my skilled evaluate of the most effective VPNs for looking the net privately in your Home windows, Mac, Android & iOS gadgets by visiting Cyberguy.com/VPN.

Kurt’s key takeaways

In terms of defending your privateness on-line, taking management of your Google exercise is a great transfer. Bear in mind, just some clicks could make a giant distinction. 

So go forward and bid farewell to undesirable information sharing, location historical past and people pesky focused adverts. For an additional layer of privateness, take into account a reliable VPN to maintain your on-line presence beneath wraps. Keep savvy and safe.

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