They basically "getting rid of over 60 different privacy policies across Google" and use a single version of Privacy Policy instead. Google also made some changes to the categories of information they collected from every user on each day. They divided the information into two categories: "Information you give us" and "Information we get from your use of our services". The first one may include your real name, address, phone number... you provided to them when you register for Google account. The second category may include your IP address, operating system, web browser information, geographical location, the words you typed in. Although Google says they are doing this to improve user experience.
The following video shows exactly how everything happens when you type something in Google search engine.
The questions are obvious:
"Hey! I didn't register for Google account. Why did you collect my information?"
"Who gave you the permission to collect data for my location, my operating system and my keystrokes?"
While Google is clear from the statement: "As you use our services, we want you to be clear how we’re using information and the ways in which you can protect your privacy."
OK. Right now, I think everyone is clear about this:
If you want to use service from Google, Google will collect your information. Period.
Disagree? You don't use Google, you go back to Jurassic, you go to North Korea.
OK. Here is another question:
"I just created my personal website and I never use Google service, why Google find my website address and make it visible to everyone?"
Remember Google is a search engine. It is born to search. Google has a program to find new websites or recently updated web pages and bring back to their database. You don't use their service, but they will find you. That's the destiny of a good search engine. You can't escape around it. So, if you are concerned about your privacy, make sure you don't put your sensitive personal information on your website. Google find the information for your website, not your personal information, which does not violate their privacy policy.
The third question pops up:
"Google Analtyics is always collecting visitors' data, from location, keywords to time spent on each page, the navigation path, etc."
However, Google can easily defend themselves by say: "We are just doing statistics gathering web traffic information. Such behavior will not identify that visitor is just you."
Yes, that is correct. But think about how many condition clauses in SQL could identify you?
You think 5 conditions may not identify you. That is because you are living in big city. Think about those who live in a small island in Pacific, say Johnston Atoll. The user could be easily identified by VISITOR_LOCATION AND VISITOR_TIMESTAMP. Because no too many people are using internet at a certain time at this certain website.
This is a big issue for users in small cities. However, think it in another way. No matter how large city you are living in, if Google want to find you, they can use 10 or even 20 conditions to narrow down the query results. They will find you.
Fortunately, privacy for Google is a big concern. They emphasized this point again and again. They want to protect your privacy for you. At least for normal situations...
