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You might laugh thinking about all the random Google searches you’ve done over the years. Imagine someone getting access to that list, and you might instead shudder in embarrassment.
Did you know your entire Google history is accessible online? If you’re signed in, a snoop can poke through it all. Tap or click here for steps to password protect that page and your private info.
There are, of course, ways to keep your searches private. Tap or click for some clever methods, including hiding your activity from your internet service provider and wiping your browser sessions.
When you rely on Google and its services, though, you know many things are being tracked. Here are three you can stop.
YOUR APPS ARE WATCHING EVERYWHERE YOU GO UNLESS YOU CHANGE THIS SETTING
1. Every email you type
Google scans the contents of your inbox, from receipts and private messages to medical documents and bills.
The handy Smart Compose setting even allows Google to scan your emails as you type them. It's an AI-powered feature that tries to help you write faster. It helps finish common phrases. "Let me" becomes "Let me know if you have any questions."
Although it's useful, it means Google is watching what you type as you type it. You can turn Smart Compose off. Here's how:
- Open Gmail.
- Tap the gear icon in the upper right corner for Settings.
- Select See all settings.
- Choose the General tab near the top of the page.
- Scroll to the Smart Compose section.
- Turn Writing suggestions off by clicking on the circle next to it.
- Scroll to the bottom and click Save Changes.
It’s worth noting: Google still has access to all the content in the emails you send and receive. If you want to stop that, you need to switch to a privacy-based email inbox.
Privacy 101: Avoid that embarrassing moment! Hide your phone’s lock screen notifications
2. OK, Google, are you listening?
Despite what Big Tech companies say, smart assistants often listen more than you intend. The reason is simple: Sometimes, your device hears one thing you say and interprets it as the wake word.
You can always turn Google Assistant off if you’re not using it.
How to turn off Google Assistant on Android:
- Open the Settings app on your phone. Then, scroll down and tap Account Services.
- Tap Search, Assistant & Voice. Then, tap Google Assistant.
- Tap on Assistant. Then, scroll down to Assistant devices and tap Phone.
- Tap the Google Assistant slider to turn it off.
5 SMART DIGITAL LIFE HACKS YOU WON'T FIND ON TIKTOK
How to turn off Google Assistant on iPhone:
- Open Settings > Privacy.
- Locate the menu labeled Microphone and tap it.
- Find Assistant in the list of apps and toggle the green switch to the off position.
Go a step further and shut down every device that might be listening. Tap or click for steps to tell Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and others to butt out.
3. And then there are the videos you watch
After Google, YouTube is the second largest search engine on the web. And, of course, it is owned by Google. That means the company knows the videos you watch, the comments you leave, and who you interact with.
Clearing your YouTube history is simple. Head to My Google Activity, select YouTube History and switch the toggle to Off.
Be warned: YouTube will still track your search history. On the YouTube History page, you will see a section that says Filter by date. To the left, tap on the small down arrow next to Delete. A box will pop up and you can clear out your searches. Confirm by hitting Delete and you’re good to go.
Now that your privacy is all shored up, why not make life a little easier? Tap or click for 5 buried Google settings everyone should know.
Bonus Tip: How the government and companies buy your personal data
7 BRILLIANT WAYS YOUR SMART PHONE CAN HELP YOU GET THINGS DONE
Check out my podcast "Kim Komando Explains" on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player.
We think of our gadgets as helpful tools that make our lives easier, but they can also be turned against us. The data your devices collect is so valuable it could be used against you in a criminal trial, requested by police or even bought by the government through a data broker. I sat down with technologist Bennett Cyphers from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who reveals all the secrets you’re losing — and which devices do the most stealing.
Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, "Komando."
What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim's national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim's free podcasts.
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Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.
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