Top things you didn't know Google knows about you

In 2016 we think it is safe to say that most people are now dimly aware that Google and other Internet giants such as Facebook like to vacuum up your personal data like an anteater sucking up ants. However, what you may not know is the level of detail and broad range of data that they scoop up off you every single hour of every single day. Here we list but 10 of the ways that Google knows more about you than even your closest friend.

It records everything you ever search for

Okay, let’s start with something obvious - your search history. Since Google has become the search engine of choice (Bing, who?), there’s a good chance you use it a lot at your PC, laptop, Mac, tablet or smartphone. So it shouldn’t surprise you to learn Google records every search you make, enabling it to build a picture of who you are by the terms you search for.

Of course, with all this data, Google is able to tailor its suggestions for you and place ads most likely to reflect your tastes in products and services. All of this data, like everything on this list, can be deleted but it’s scary just how much Google remembers...

It knows where you’ve been, and where you are

An obvious one perhaps, but an important one as these data gives Google the power to track your location and your movements. Of course, exact tracking all comes down to how much you use GPS and Google Maps - most of the time Google will use Location History (if the option is switched on in your settings) to track your physical progress.

Google can also track your physical location by the activation of different devices tied to your Gmail account. So if you’ve accessed your account at home on your iPad then switched over to your Android smartphone while on the go, Google will know that too.

It knows what you like, and what you don’t

So, you know Chrome, that super popular web browser that, alongside Mozilla Firefox, has pushed Internet Explorer further out of the popular kid’s circle? Well, as you know, Google is the proprietor and overseer of said browser, meaning it doesn’t just track what you search for, but every web page you visit (yes, even the naughty ones).

It also, unsurprisingly considering it owns it, knows your viewing tastes and habits on YouTube and stores each one, tailoring suggestions to suit your time spent surfing through footage of cats in leggings and people breaking their coccyx falling off hoverboards.

It knows how many emails you’ve sent, and who your contacts are

There’s a good chance you have a Gmail account (after all, it is the second most popular email client) so it’s through this avenue Google is able to store and analyse the data that makes up your ‘virtual’ activity. As a result, Google knows a lot about your emailing habits.

It knows all your contacts, has all your conversations backed-up and can even track every document shared with your via Google Docs. As you might expect, it also tracks all your activity in Google Drive and all those precious documents contained therein? Yes, that includes that questionable fan fiction you’ve been working on as well...

It knows which apps are using your info, and how often

Something that smartphone and tablet users don’t always consider is just how much data the apps on your devices can actually access. As disturbing as this one sounds, it’s actually one of those instances where Google’s tracking actually comes in useful. From your settings on the Google Dashboard, you can find a whole list of said apps on your smartphone or tablet Android tablet.

Best of all, from this list you can actively enable and disable these permissions - and considering some apps have access by default, this option will hopefully make you feel like this companies and services have access to all your data.

It saves recordings of your voice

As utterly creepy as that sounds, Google really does keep copies of your actual voice on record. Thankfully, these copies don’t relate to your phone calls (that would be breaking the law in a variety of countries, after all), but instead relate to any searches or requests you’ve made via voice commands. So every time you use the mic on your phone to activate a Google service, that snippet of audio is instantly cached.

Thankfully, like everything else, these recordings can be expunged from you settings page. Just select ‘Manage Activity’ to access them (and even give them a listen, if you’re feeling particularly bored/intrigued).

It’s sent a car out and taken photos of your home

No really, there’s a significantly high chance Google’s roving Street View cars have driven down your road, snapped a 360 degree shot of your neighbourhood and moved on. Of course, this is all to feed its Street View and Google Earth services, but it doesn’t end there.

Back in 2010, the Federal Communications Commission discovered that Google Street View teams had been collecting sensitive information from unencrypted Wi-Fi networks: browsing histories, emails, passwords, you name it, Google took it. It got fined for it and has since ceased such practices, but considering those cars and teams have travelled millions of miles of road, that’s a lot of information.