I know some of you use different browsers etc, but just as an FYI to the family here, if you are logged into a google account in Chrome, Microsoft Account with Edge, etc, all your browsing searches and history are saved. Regardless if you are behind a VPN. You can go delete it from your google account, but Googles TOS states they keep some of it even after you delete it. I am talking about your actual account. Not the browsers history tab. Even if you delete the browsers history, if you are logged into an an account, they have EVERYTHING there.
I'm 73 years old & know enough about computers to be dangerous. I rely on my Granddaughter for IT support. When you say Google, are you referring to the Google search engine? I recently switched from Google to DuckDuckGo, however I still use Gmail. Am I in jeopardy? TIA.
I mean if you use the google Chrome browser and you sign into Gmail, anything you search for, regardless of the engine, is saved. For example, you can add the DuckDuckGo extension to Chrome. If you log into Gmail, everything is saved unless you configure the settings and even then, some information is saved. You will know you are logged in if you see your account here. Even with Sync off (that is why it shows error) it still saves the searches and history. Similar setup if you use Microsoft Edge. It is automatically attached to your Microsoft account. Side note, this is how the FBI catches criminals using TOR. Not that you are doing anything criminal, but if you want google et al to stop profiting from your online identity, I suggest a different email provider. This is very sneaky from Google. Apple does this as well as Microsoft. Log into your google account and follow this:
What prompted this was I got a new iphone from work. I was amazed that my new iphone had my safari history even though I deleted my old phones data. So it threw up a lightbulb that it is tied to my Apple ID. Got me thinking about Gmail, etc. So I checked. THEY ALL DO IT!... Even when you delete browser history, if you are logged in, its saved.
Thanks. Let me make sure I understand your comments. Let's say I use AVG as a browser, DuckDuckGo as a search engine & Gmail as an email provider. Am I at risk? What can "they" gain access to via my Gmail account? Thanks again.
I'm okay that they are tracking. I like it when they direct me to my favorite "Movie" stars without having to dig. They also think there is decent bar-b-que in San Diego, but they are clueless. Thinking is one thing, knowing is another. Human wins
