Does it ever freak you out that Google is spying on you?

Beverly Level X³

June 2, 2013, 12:15 pm

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When I use my work computer, I make searches on Google search (signed in as my main Google user account) and then when I go to my secondary computer (in the livingroom) and make searches and it shows 'this site visited' on my search results. And, it's kind of weird how they track me from one computer to the next.

And, one time I made a search on my secondary computer without being signed into Google and it still showed me personalized results on Google search. That was odd, making me think maybe they track via IP address

I guess this tracking is useful to customize my Google experience over various devices, but it still creeps me out that Google is following me all over the place.

Sometimes, I wonder what other kind of personal information Google is archiving. Maybe our emails are being saved, even after we delete them or private family blog posts being archived, even the ones never meant to be read by the public.

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robertman11

I know one guy that refuses to use Google because he feels like google is spying on us. They record a lot of data, even scan email text on gmail. If you use their services, you have no real privacy.

14 years ago

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Beverly

I know one guy that refuses to use Google because he feels like google is spying on us. They record a lot of data, even scan email text on gmail. If you use their services, you have no real privacy.

Oh! And, yeah I read how Google Chrome actually records your keystrokes when you type into the omni box and sends that to Google. Even if you backspace and don't hit enter, they know what you were typing. Think FBI and subpoenas. If they want private info on you or what you're searching, they'll get it. :/

14 years ago

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shek

I guess it is mentioned in google TOS. So, I don't think they are doing anything wrong.

14 years ago

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Carmy

I guess it is mentioned in google TOS. So, I don't think they are doing anything wrong.

Yes, you have to agree to Google TOS before you are allowed to use their products, even Gmail or Chrome. And, it does say something about personalizing ad results based on sites you have visited. It's not a really big deal as you can opt out of most of the ads that Google shows.

14 years ago

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Justin

Google is a necessary evil if you are online. There are very few sites that don't have Adsense. Also, with Gmail, it's such a widely used service. Hard to avoid. Even if you don't use Gmail, you are likely to get an email from someone who does. Maybe it's paranoid thinking, but I always wonder if Google gives itself the right to scan my other emails or track me on sites, just because I've opened an email sent from one of their Gmail accounts.

14 years ago

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angie828

Yes I do not like knowing that others know what I am looking at. It is not anything bad but I like to have privacy.

14 years ago

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Beverly

Yes I do not like knowing that others know what I am looking at. It is not anything bad but I like to have privacy.

And, now turns out even the US government is spying on us all with phone calls and Facebook. Scary thoughts. :/

14 years ago

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evie

I just do not like the sounds of this. I never know that! Scary.

13 years ago

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blueeyes

Yes all the time it does worry me. I hate the fact that they always know where I have been and what I am doing online. Just does not seem right to me.

13 years ago

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Miken34

You know I do not like it, but then what do you do? It is not right they spy on us like this, but I guess it is something that you just learn to live with.

13 years ago

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tangee

Yes because it feels unethical to me.

13 years ago

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ralph101

I really hope that google would have more tact than that to not save our emails. That is just crazy if they are.

13 years ago

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loulou

When you think of what they all know about one, just by what they are doing online, it is rather scary.

13 years ago

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ricky44

Yes of course it does but really what are you going to do about it?

13 years ago

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Kat1

I hate it when others spy on me so it is no different when google does

13 years ago

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tionna

OMG all the time but is there really a way around that? I do not think so.

13 years ago

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twilight

It does not bother me too much, I have just come to expect it.

13 years ago

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mqss

I don't consider it real spying... It's all done automated to provide targeted ads to people and targeted ads bring money. Google isn't a social organization, it's a pure business. That's why they can invest money in Google Maps, Streets and other cool stuff. I also have a friend who refuses to use Google, Gmail, Chrome and everything related to Google... I think he is suffering from a paranoia and probably thinks people in Google's office read his private emails and all the weird adult keywords he's searching through Google, but that's not the case. I would stop using Google's services if I was a highly wanted terrorist or something like that because of that, but that again isn't Google's fault. Even Google can't help when FBI or NSA come into their office and say "Hey, you are holding data about important terrorists, give them to us suffer problems.".

13 years ago

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Jadster

I don't really see it as spying, they are really just checking up really. I just feel that google is doing a right thing and as long as they are not going through anything personal that I have or anything that I don't want them to go though, I don't really mind it.

13 years ago

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Paratelemovel

Seriously?

Let´s start from the very begining of the food chain:

Your Internet Service Provider analyses the amount/size of data that comes in and out of your IP ( they can´t see what you type on an email , all they see is numbers as in traffic
So if your downloading some dubious products, covers your tracks with a VPN
Clear all your cookies or block them....or even better use your browser in Private mode along with a VPN.
Create a persona, a fake version of you and stick with it, specially if you are using social networks who have a HUGE footprint about you.

Google is the least of your concerns because all they do is analyse your profile data, your searching habbits and present relevant information to you. Oh...and sell that information to whoever...think facebook..yes even to their rivals.

See it this way, one centralized sign up for everything makes so easy for whatever agency to know everything you do online...courtesy of Google and all their products.

13 years ago

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angie828

I don't really see it as spying, they are really just checking up really. I just feel that google is doing a right thing and as long as they are not going through anything personal that I have or anything that I don't want them to go though, I don't really mind it.

But would you know if they went through anything personal that you had or know if they went through something that you did not want them to?

13 years ago

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Paratelemovel

Google presents information to you based on your surfing habits and location, plus they will suggest ads based on that same data and in turn sell it to other ad networks like facebook.

If you do not want to be tracked, use a VPN and a private browsing session, now stop behaving like a drama queen and making everything that google says such a big deal.

13 years ago

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Beverly

Seriously?

Let´s start from the very begining of the food chain:

Your Internet Service Provider analyses the amount/size of data that comes in and out of your IP ( they can´t see what you type on an email , all they see is numbers as in traffic

So if your downloading some dubious products, covers your tracks with a VPN

Clear all your cookies or block them....or even better use your browser in Private mode along with a VPN.

Create a persona, a fake version of you and stick with it, specially if you are using social networks who have a HUGE footprint about you.

Google is the least of your concerns because all they do is analyse your profile data, your searching habbits and present relevant information to you. Oh...and sell that information to whoever...think facebook..yes even to their rivals.

See it this way, one centralized sign up for everything makes so easy for whatever agency to know everything you do online...courtesy of Google and all their products.

And, do you know where I can get a reliable VPN for personal use?

13 years ago

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