Google has announced significant changes to its privacy policy and terms of service, which will allow the search giant to combine its user data from across its services.
The changes, which will take effect on 1 March and are not opt-out, are intended to create a more unified Google ecosystem and a more detailed picture of its users.
The search giant will trim more than 60 privacy policies for its different services down to one “main privacy policy”. According to Google's director of privacy, product and engineering, Alma Whitten, the policy will cover the majority of Google services and will explain the information it collects from users and how it is used.
“Our new Privacy Policy makes clear that, if you're signed in, we may combine information you've provided from one service with information from other services. In short, we'll treat you as a single user across all our products,” says Whitten.
New possibilities
Whitten says the newly introduced personal search feature, Search Plus Your World, offers a good example of what is possible when Google combines user information across its products.
Whitten adds: “We remain committed to data liberation, so if you want to take your information elsewhere you can. We don't sell your personal information, nor do we share it externally without your permission, except in very limited circumstances like a valid court order.”
While concerns have been raised by privacy advocates and Google's competitors over the company's recent actions, Google appears to remain resolute on its new unified path.
Google says it will notify all users of the upcoming changes via e-mail and through a notification on the homescreen. The search giant has also created a video to help quell concerns over the new privacy policy.
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