I don't mean Google listens to your phone calls, but there are lots of other things to listen to on your phone; and it's all stored on the WEB, not just on your cell. Google will let you delete what it has, though. (Siri and Cortana keep track, too, I'm sure.)
Google's history keeps information in the following categories: Web and App Activity, Voice & Audio Activity, Device Information, Location History, YouTube Watch History, and YouTube Search History.
One of the things I love most about my Android phone is voice dictation. All I have to do to wake up Google is say "OK, Google." I verbally summons Google to look up things, because the voice command is usually faster than my typing is on the itty-bitty keyboard. I Google for directions, for reviews, for general information. Google remembers all of that!
Even when I am a passenger, my car's GPS will not allow me to look up directions when the car is moving, so I often go to Google on my phone for directions. I knew that Google probably would remember that; but I had no idea that Google Timeline traces my every move, though I did not type in an address. Before I deleted the record, I could look up any day and see a tracing of where I went that day.
Watch a YouTube video on your phone or merely search for one, and Google remembers. Did you have any idea that Google tracks YouTube use?
Of course, it's not just about directions and videos, though. I also used Google search recently to find some information about a prescription drug--as I get older, I am doing medical inquiries more often! I looked up some updates on news items, and my political leanings are no secret. Imagine what conclusions might have been drawn from searches about foreclosure laws and concealed carry regulations in various states. I did some genealogy research, did a couple of "Find A Grave" searches for Memorial Day...the list goes on and on. You get the drift. Google knows a lot about my thoughts, some of which might lead an observer to make false assumptions about me.
It is reassuring to know that Google says I can delete the information. It also makes the following statement on each of the history pages:
Only you can see this data
You’re in control. You can delete items or update this setting anytime in Settings.
Even if "Only you can see this data" is true, I'm sure Google gleans and sells information from the data. UNLESS, of course, I want to disable many of the functions that make my cell phone the multi-tasking instrument that it has become, I will need to keep deleting Google's history from time to time. Even if Google doesn't misuse the information (and that's a big IF), anything stored on the internet is vulnerable to hacking.
You will probably be surprised just how much information is in your Google history. Click the link BELOW for directions on how to see your Google history and how to delete it.
Facebook also may be listening in via the phone's microphone, by the way, even if you aren't IN the app; but that's a topic for another blog.
PS (edit): If you don't believe any of this is a big deal, see the comment below from Chris Ann Cleland.
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