Can’t remember when you went to that new Thai place? Google can. In fact, it can even tell you the precise time you searched the address, which route you took to get there and what YouTube videos you watched on the way.
Spooky, sure. Surprising?
It's no secret that Google knows a hell of a lot about us. But precisely what they know isn't a secret either. In fact, if you've got an active Google account you can find out right now.
Login, head to myaccount.google.com, click on "Personal info & privacy" and brace yourself. Here's what you'll find.
Google can record everything you've searched.
It's shouldn't really a big shocker that Google tracks your searches. But we were a tinsy bit disturbed when we clicked into "Your searches and browsing history".
The results are filtered by date and when rummaging through we came across a frightening little drop-down option labelled "all time". Yes, it means exactly what you think it means. Every little "how to cook..." and "weird rash on my..." you've ever typed into your search bar is neatly itemised for you.
Want to erase all evidence? We thought so. Just click on the three vertical dots on the top right-hand corner of your screen and select "Delete options".
Ever used voice search? You can listen to them all.
This one is particularly terrifying. Google can keep a recording of every "Okay Google" voice search you've ever made. If for some curious reason you want to listen to them, go ahead and select “Manage Activity” under “Activity Controls.”
Thankfully, the default for this setting is generally "off", but it's worth double-checking. Just in case.
Google knows where you've been.
If you have location services enabled on your phone or tablet, Google knows all the places you've used your device. Yep, everywhere you've gone, Google has gone with you.
To track your travel, scroll down to "Places you go" and click "Manage activity". From there you can trace your footsteps by year, month and even down to an individual day.
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Amazing stuff from Google...
Tom Tom GPS sell your data to the cops so they can work out where to mount speed cameras