marguerite_26: (Default)
marguerite_26 ([personal profile] marguerite_26) wrote2012-02-29 06:02 pm

Google Privacy Issues: Web History

Originally posted by [livejournal.com profile] chantefable at Google Privacy Issues: Web History
Originally posted by [livejournal.com profile] vaysh11 at Google Privacy Issues: Web History
Originally posted by [livejournal.com profile] moonflower_rose at Google Privacy Issues: Web History
If you are going to do this, you need to do it before March 1st. It has been said that users will not be able to do anything about this after that date.

With reference to Google's policy changes and how everything you do with your Google account will be tied together into their super-cauldron of information, you will probably want to clear your Google Web History out - if you turned that feature on - before month's end. After that, you won't be able to clear it, and everything you search for will be connected with your account.

To check settings and/or clear out your Web History:

1. Go to Google. If you aren't signed in already, do so.
2. In the top right-hand corner you'll find your email address or name, perhaps an icon if you have a Plus account, and a little downward facing arrow. Click on the arrow and a menu will pop up.
3. Click to 'Account Settings'. This will take you to a page called 'Accounts'. (If you have a Plus account, you might go via a Plus sign-in page.)
4. Scroll down to a section called 'Services'. Here you'll find an option called 'View, enable, or disable web history', which has a link next to it. Click on the link.
5. If you never turned web history on, you'll get a page asking if you want to turn this service on. Just click 'No Thanks' and all is good. If you did turn it on, you should have a list of your searches. At the top there is a button that says 'Remove All History'. Click this and follow the instructions which will remove all items from your Web History and pause the feature so nothing else will be added in future.


Also, you can completely remove Web History as a service from your account by clicking THIS LINK, checking the tick-box and confirming you want to remove Web History. To be safe, it is probably best to do the steps above first to remove any history that might have already been collected.


[identity profile] katie-andrew.livejournal.com 2012-02-29 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh god. THANK YOU!

I clicked on the "THIS LINK" and it said "The page you requested is invalid." :(

[identity profile] katzenjammerd.livejournal.com 2012-02-29 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Just to let you know, that happened to me too.

Thanks for all the info!

[identity profile] marguerite-26.livejournal.com 2012-03-01 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
there's a bit more discussion in the thread below if it still doesn't work for you.

[identity profile] marguerite-26.livejournal.com 2012-03-01 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
Are you logged into google?

What about the steps before that, were you able to do them?

[identity profile] katie-andrew.livejournal.com 2012-03-01 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
Yep, and yes, the others worked.

[identity profile] marguerite-26.livejournal.com 2012-03-01 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
That's odd. It makes me sign in a second time, but I am able to see the log in page then click the link. :/

MAybe try signing in and back out? Then click?

[identity profile] katie-andrew.livejournal.com 2012-03-01 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
It makes me log-in too. Hmm... It wouldn't be an American thing, would it?

[identity profile] marguerite-26.livejournal.com 2012-03-01 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
i don't know... I'm in Canada.

[identity profile] katie-andrew.livejournal.com 2012-03-01 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
Haha, I know, dear. I meant maybe I was having an issue because I live in America. The part of America people forget about, but still.