Every few months Google is going to jiggle our privates

This is good news:

When you search on Google, we collect information about your search, such as the query itself, IP addresses and cookie details. Previously, we kept this data for as long as it was useful. Today we’re pleased to report a change in our privacy policy: Unless we’re legally required to retain log data for longer, we will anonymize our server logs after a limited period of time. When we implement this policy change in the coming months, we will continue to keep server log data (so that we can improve Google’s services and protect them from security and other abuses)—but will make this data much more anonymous, so that it can no longer be identified with individual users, after 18-24 months.

More at the Official Google Blog

But is it good enough?

Overall, it’s a good move by Google. It’s long been singled out as keeping all data indefinitely, even if others also do the same. At least now, the company is showing a strong move toward getting rid of personal data when it is no longer needed, which may be reassuring to some users.

Of course, it has also made a recent change causing many more people to have search histories recorded in another way. The difference is that anyone can delete those histories at any time, something that was not possible to do with server logs. The control is in the hands of the searchers, assuming they have an awareness of the feature and exercise that control. Many likely won’t.

More at Danny’s (scroll to the bottom of his post for a great press round up)

In general I think this is a good first step and shows they understand the importance of privacy, but more will be needed.

What do you think?
Does it bother you that Google has your privates in hand?

If privacy is a concern of yours don’t miss our popular posts on clearing your search history and how to keep your searches completely private.