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What kind of data does Google collect?

Google has democratized web analytics and given website owners the ability to track analytics and visualize metrics since 2005 when they purchased the web statistics company Urchin. They have pushed products on the platform over the years that keep helping SMBs and, as such, we still recommend them. Many companies that run alternative analytics software on their websites still run Google Analytics because it has become the standard in data collection. Google is everywhere. In the digital architecture of the world wide web, Google may as well be the drywall of this metaphorical building. With more regulations trying to improve how consumer data is collected and protected across the world, such as the General Data Protection Regulation in Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act, consumers are increasingly becoming aware of how much of their personal data is out there and have greater expectations for how that data should be managed and protected. Doug Leigh, a researcher from Trinity College, Ireland, found that the Google OS service Android collected 20x as much data as that of an iOS (Apple) device. The paper he published showed that even when idle, an Android device sent “1MB of data to Google every 12 hours, compared with iOS sending Apple about 52KB over the same period.”

Creating With Google Products

When you create a Google account, you add personal information like a phone number, credit card or email address. You could be creating a YouTube account to watch videos or to create content, but either way you’re contributing data to Google’s overview of who you are and what you like. According to Google’s privacy policy, they “collect the content you create, upload, or receive from others when using our services. This includes things like email you write and receive, photos and videos you save, docs and spreadsheets you create, and comments you make on YouTube videos.”

Is there any privacy-friendly alternative search engine?