Search Privacy

Google knows who you are; so does Yahoo, Microsoft, and even Ask. Almost every search engine you've ever used has been logging data, collecting information, and building up a repertoire of your online activity. Your IP Address along with all your search queries and which results you clicked on are all saved and stored on the search engine's servers.

Although this may seem to be only little information, it does add up and can contribute to an extensive collection of information about you. Think about it. If someone had access to every search query you've made in the past few years, it would be like a window into your private life, almost like a view of your mind. Search queries are really more private than most people think. They represent the thoughts going through your mind and what's going on in your life at the time.

Do you really want all this information in the hands of the Internet's search giants?

Hate to answer for you, but no. You don't. The only entity this can benefit is the search engines that are holding the information. They can analyze the information, look for search trends, and ultimately find better advertisers and profit more. And of course in a worst case scenario, collected information could be sold or given to other peoples or companies. They claim that they use this information to "improve" their search functions and make their sites a better experience for the consumer. Yes, they can make little tweaks based on the logged information; however, the sacrifice is not worth it. I, personally, would rather have a tiny bit less pleasant search experience and know that my personal information is not being logged and stored. 

The reform. Yes, it may be on its way. Microsoft, Ask, and Google have agreed to make search data anonymous after eighteen months unless otherwise demanded by law. Unfortunately, this doesn't do too much for us, the users. They can still do whatever they wish with the data for that eighteen months and we have now way to verify that it is actually being made anonymous after that time.

I encourage you to take action, in whichever way you may feel necessary. Whether that means writing to local government representatives in order to encourage the creation of a law to stop these activities, boycotting certain search engines, or writing to the search engines yourself. Good luck and I thank you in advance for standing up for what you believe in.

[ars technica article]