Google · Google Privacy Policy

User Controls and Privacy Settings

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What it is

You have choices regarding the information we collect and how it's used. This section describes key controls for managing your privacy across our services. All Google users can access, edit, download, and delete their information by accessing their Google Account. We also built a place for you to review and control information saved in your Google Account. Your Google Account includes: Privacy controls, Activity Controls, Ad Settings, About me, Shared endorsements, Sites and apps that use your Google services.

Why it matters

While Google provides more privacy controls than many companies, these controls require active use — most data collection is on by default, meaning users who do not proactively visit their account settings will have maximum data collection enabled.

Consumer impact

Google collects an exceptionally broad range of personal data — including precise location, voice and audio recordings, search and browsing history, app usage, and inferred characteristics like health interests and political views — across all its services and combines them into a unified profile used primarily for targeted advertising. This means even routine activities like searching, watching YouTube, or using Google Maps contribute to an advertising dossier that follows you across the web, including on non-Google websites through the Google Display Network. You can review, edit, or delete your data by visiting myaccount.google.com and managing your Activity Controls, Location History, and Ad Settings.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Delete Your Data
    Visit myaccount.google.com/data-and-privacy, review each section including 'History settings' and 'Data from apps and services you use', enable auto-delete for activity history, and use 'Delete a Google service or your account' if you wish to remove specific data types or close your account entirely.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has enforcement authority over deceptive privacy control designs and dark patterns that discourage consumers from exercising their privacy rights under FTC Act Section 5.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Google Privacy Policy
Entity
Google
Document last updated
March 24, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002361
Document ID
CA-D-00015
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
7ae2c5414225f559d94f625194b17341f89b75a40ea396c34fd6aba669517459
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Google | Document: Google Privacy Policy | Record: CA-P-002361
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:40:05 UTC | SHA-256: 7ae2c5414225f559…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/google/google-privacy-policy/user-controls-and-privacy-settings/
Accessed: April 16, 2026
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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