this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2023
77 points (94.3% liked)

Privacy

31765 readers
440 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Related communities

Chat rooms

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Since it's mostly free, there has to be a catch. I may be wrong, but since it's Google, there's always a catch nowadays.

top 27 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 47 points 1 year ago

Honestly, this is kind of a weird question. It's Google. They collect all of it. Every picture, every note, every keystroke. All of it.

The answer to "what information does GOOGLE SERVICE collect is always all of it.

[–] [email protected] 39 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't think they'll come out publicly with the full extent of what is used, but basically everything.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I just assume everything. Any way you think they can monetize what they can see of yours, they do. And more that you can't think of.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Probably not the actual content, hopefully, but more than likely the file types, length, size, frequency, every other variable so they can sell it. Probably to people making software to store or back up files so they know user habits and expectations. But that's obviously the most innocent framing, I'm sure there's a darker side somewhere.

[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Personal identification information like emails, phone numbers, date of birth
Device info including the devices you use to access google, models, OS, unique identifiers, and mobile network info
Location info including IPs, GPS, and data from other sensors Search queries including links you interact with and other info related to interaction with websites
Usage data including language preferences and which ads you interact with
Communication data like the time and date you made certain communications, the content and subject of the communication, voicemail messages in google voice, who you're communicating with, when, content of chats including in hangouts/chat/meet, call quality, call duration, and other technical data
Content interaction information on how you interact with content through Google services; views, downloads, shares, likes, and comments
Youtube viewing history, including watch time, and impressions, what you do while you're watching them, likes, and subscribes
Google apps data specific to app usages; so things like google Drive that collects data on files you upload, download, share, types of files, who you share them with, how often you access them, changes you make, and comments you leave; Gmail collects data from emails including who you're emailing, who's emailing you, and the email subject and contents; GCal collects all the data you input as well as how often and how you use your calendar; Photos collects data on where and when the photo or video was taken, who was in it, and other details about the photo; Maps tracks search info, routes taken, and other location-based information; Play collects data on apps you download, how often you use them, how you interact with them
Data collected through cookies that collect and store information, as well as pixel tags, local storage, browser web storage, application data caches, databases, and server logs

TL;DR if they can, they track it. We also have only some idea as to how they could be using this data to create personal profiles and social graphs for users to even link you with others in your proximity by comparing time and location data, pictures, preferences, etc.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Just as I feared..... thanks for the info.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago

Well, that's not hard to answer. It's Google. They collect everything.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Get a "Google Takeout" and download all the information they will let you see that they collect. Assume they collect more.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

anything they are able to. id say everything short of keylogging

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Don't be so sure. Google has shown in the past that they store information typed into search bars even if the user does not commit the search.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

good point. you can never be sure with pr*prietry software

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago

When dealing with Google - assume everything. Data is Google's business and you are the product when you use their services.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

All sorts of data you provide it. hihi

-Google

I guess the birthdays, your work/home schedule, daily routines, your bills, the level of procrastination in how keep avoiding your reminders.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

our buddy-pal goog here wants to understand you. it wants to form an intimate relationship with you (and your data).

if you can imagine Bruce Wayne's butler, Alfred, being able to find whatever thing Bruce needs in that mansion, goog here can find what yours is in the internet.

also goog is real. obligatory uwu

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

You can read their privacy policy, but I think you know the answer already. All of those things are stored 100% unencrypted on their servers, so you’re trusting Google 100% with all of your data.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

My understanding is the only one of those with a decent privacy policy is Photos

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago