How Long Should Google Remember Searches?
By : Admin
Google offers a feature that remembers every query result page viewed for every search. It makes everything searchable! This feature is called My Search History.
Google always mentioned that they have given their users a choice between personalized services and the general services and believe me this feature could be the strongest personalization offering from any of the search engine including MSN, Yahoo or whatever…ever…till the date.
This feature is enabling users to see all their past searches, request and results. This may be termed a ‘computer peephole’ and trust me, it could be really very helpful if used in the proper way. Otherwise may be embarrassing! However, Google claims that it has, through this service, adequately addressed privacy concerns.
The users of Google also have the option to disable this service. Moreover, they can remove particular searches from their history as well!
Google will be anonymizing its search server logs after 18 months; however it previously established a period of 18 to 24 months for the same purpose!
Google retains search server logs for a number of reasons. Let us summarize them:
- To improve the search algorithms for the benefit of users.
- To defend the systems of Google from malicious access and exploitation attempts.
- To maintain the integrity of its systems by fighting click fraud and web spam.
- To protect its users from threats like spam.
- To respond to valid legal orders from law enforcement.
- To comply with data retention legal obligations.
Before proceeding let us now have a look on the factors that have guided this decision of Google (decision of retaining server log data for 18 to 24 months). There were two opinions, either to keep the duration short to expand it.
Three critical factors that affected this decision are as follows:
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Continue to improve the quality of search services: analyzing logs data is a really very important tool to help the engineers at Google to refine search quality. It also helps them to build new helpful services. It is essential for a search company to stress more on the quality of the services provided!
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Protection of system and users from fraud & abuse: for this purpose, internet companies retain server logs along with the IP addresses. It protects the system from security attacks. It is one of the arrays of tools! Data protection laws require Internet companies to maintain adequate security measures to protect the personal data of their users, around the world.
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Compliance with the legal obligation in order to retain data: internet search companies like Google, MSN and Yahoo are subjected to various laws and requires compliance. These companies have to retain data for the law enforcement purposes!
One important thing that is noteworthy here is Google never ask its users for their names, address, or phone numbers to use most of its services provided. Moreover, those who want to see their logs history; Google offers a transparent access to their own personal Web History. Google maintains a really rigorous internal control of its logs database.
And Google believes in addressing its legitimate interests in security, innovation and anti-fraud efforts with this shorter period!
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