Today is the last day to tell Google to forget you

[Ohio Joe]

"Google's new privacy policy will consolidate all your data at google.com — unless you erase it first. And today is your last day to do it. The change goes into effect tomorrow. Which is why the helpful folks at EFF have posted some simple instructions showing how to delete your web history at Google."

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/12/02/22/198207/last-day-to-tell-google-to-forget-you

EFF instructions to erase your Google data:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/02/how-remove-your-google-search-history-googles-new-privacy-policy-takes-effect

Keep your data as safe from Google as you can... Do this.

[cbayer]

1. Done, thanks!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. done and, thanks for the links. kick

[gratuitous]

3. What if I don't have a Google account?

At least, not that I know of. I just use the search engine to search for things, and as far as I know, that's all I've ever told Google.

[Ohio Joe]

6. With no account...

I do not believe they would have anything to connect it to so no worries.

[gratuitous]

9. Thanks for the response

I'm such an e-klutz, but I don't think I'm alone . . .

[renie408]

4. Thanks!

[marasinghe]

5. we posted the EFF link simultaneously.

[Ohio Joe]

7. DOH!

Now I see yours. I had looked before posting and did not see any... Great minds think alike

[marasinghe]

13. well, your post was much clearer & comprehensible; mine was discombobulated & obscure.

good thing you posted.

Cheers

[onehandle]

8. Use nothing Google, including their search engine. It's your best bet. nt

[Lebam in LA]

10. Done and Thanks!!!

[joshcryer]

11. I've had my web history off for years and I check it periodically to make sure.

Unfortunately they appear to be keeping it now, but it will be anonymized in 18 months so I don't care so much.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

12. Done! Thank you for this!!!!

really appreciated the step by step guide!

[LiberalEsto]

14. Thank you, Ohio Joe

all deleted!

[Melissa G]

15. Thanks!

Done! good post!

[TroglodyteScholar]

16. K & R

[warrior1]

17. done

thanks

[spin]

18. Thanks much! (n/t)

[femmocrat]

19. What exactly is a google account? Just Gmail?

Could it be anything else? Thanks!

[Ohio Joe]

20. I don't know of any other reason to have one...

Mine was created when I signed up for gmail... If anyone else knows different, please post it.

[pinboy3niner]

30. I think you also create an account if you use a Google toolbar

Thanks for the heads-up. My slate is now wiped clean.

[Canuckistanian]

29. It's so much more than Gmail

Go to Google and look at ALL the services at the top of the page, like "Search", "Images", "Maps", etc.

Every single one of those services is affected. If you've used any of them, the history applies to them.

[L0oniX]

21. +1 Done. Thanks!

[Proles]

22. Very good, thank you! nt

[customerserviceguy]

23. Or, you could just not buy crap from obviously targeted advertising

I doubt that Google (or any other "free" service provider) really will let you off the hook by merely clicking a few links. The only defense against this stuff is to buy ONLY the stuff that you yourself seek out to buy, when there are no reasonable real-world alternatives.

[lonestarnot]

24. What if you don't have a google account?

[WinkyDink]

25. My question, too.

[lonestarnot]

31. No answer yet.

[Canuckistanian]

32. A good question

They may have a history based on your IP address. No way to clear that from what I see.

[Canuckistanian]

26. Thank you

I probably should have paid more attention to that nag message on Google. I didn't realize that there was a time limit.

With these new internet spying laws about to be passed in Canada, it's probably a good idea to do this.

[dmr]

27. Thanks. Done & the family's doing it, too.

Thanks, again.

[Earth_First]

28. Done and done, thank you! n/t

[NYC Liberal]

33. I've had Web History turned off for about 3 years now.

[Snarkoleptic]

34. Here are some other ways to enhance privacy.

Google sucks and they are obsessed with tracking, try ixquick.com instead.

If you use Firefox...
Better Privacy will wipe out persistent and lingering LSO cookies left by your browser delete functions.
Ghostery will block trackers and show you a list of trackers on each site visited

[dixiegrrrrl]

35. Interesting-Google will not let me sign onto my history.

It accepts my sign in info. for my gmail account, but will not accept my sign in for the google history page.

[BattyDem]

36. I signed in to my Gmail account and went to the Web History page ...

and apparently, it was never turned on in the first place. (Perhaps I turned it off ages ago and simply forgot about it.) In any case, there's no "Remove History" button - my only choices are "Turn Web History On" or "No Thanks" ... so I guess I'm good. The only time I ever log in to Google is to check my Gmail. I've never logged in to search or use any of there other features or services.

[donheld]

37. I don't believe they'll really forget you. They'll say one thing and do another.

Google will do what they want.

[snot]

38. Sh*t, wish I'd seen this sooner!

[madokie]

39. The only google account I have is an old youtube one

I don't remember the password I used and they can't find my addy so maybe I'm protected. I have been blocking google in my preferences in firefox from setting a cooking on my machine for quite some time since I realize that a lot of the spam I was getting had to originate by google selling my search history. I now use startpage and ixquick for my search engines, oh and Ask also but no google.
google can take their billions and stick it up their behinds for all I care. screw'm

Anyways I'm basically asking after knowing what I just typed my question is am I safe from google?

Lot of google junk in my /usr/cli/ folder that I can't delete, says I don't own it. ubuntu 11.10

[bvar22]

40. I'm cynical and paranoid enough to believe

...that the names and data of every one who tries to delete their history will be compiled on a list of
those who want to try and hide from The Government.
...kinda like one of those Sting Operations.

You can't hide from Big Brother,
but that is OK because Big Brother LOVES you,
and only wants what is GOOD for YOU!