Google keeps track of your searches, this should come as no surprise to anyone who has noticed that over time their Google search results become more consistent with what they usually search for. For the fin foil hat privacy types, the idea of the largest aggregator of information on the planet keeping track of all your searches for Ron Paul might not sit well with you.

Google has done us all a favor and explained why they do it.

Improve service

This requires no summary, like I said Google relies on your data (especially now that iGoogle and Web History are up and running). They track you so that they can push the most relevant content to you.

Maintain security and prevent fraud and abuse

Data protection laws around the world require Internet companies to maintain adequate security measures to protect the personal data of their users. Immediate deletion of IP addresses from our logs would make our systems more vulnerable to security attacks, putting the personal data of our users at greater risk.

That’s right, it’s the law. For organizations like Google that push masses of data through their servers, they need a way to separate out some of the noise. Tracking IP address’ allow them to act more quickly in case of security breaches.

Comply with legal obligations to retain data

For example, Google may be subject to the EU Data Retention Directive, which was passed last year, in the wake of the Madrid and London terrorist bombings, to help law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of “serious crime”. The Directive requires all EU Member States to pass data retention laws by 2009 with retention for periods between 6 and 24 months.

Unfortunately, the truth is that Google has to retain certain pieces of personal information just to cover their legal trail. It would otherwise leave them open to all sorts of litigation, should the internet dissolve in on itself and someone need to be held accountable for it. Which, when you write for How To long enough you know is bound to happen.

You can protect yourself from Google snooping for the most part simply by not using their personalized services. Every time you log in, you give Google the right to track you. If all you need is search, stick to that and stay away from the person accounts.

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