Have you ever happened to visit a place, see a product that catches your attention and minutes later see an advertisement with that same product on your phone? Yes, you’re not the only one who feels spied on. There is no doubt that Google knows more about us than we know. They have the ability to listen to what you say and even store your password information. To prevent Google from spying on your information, follow some tips and make some simple configuration changes to some of its tools.
How to prevent Google from spying on you: Start with the basics
– You can use an anonymous search engine instead of Google Search, such as DuckDuckGo.
– Log out of your Google account whenever you are not using it (although it can be a bit tedious, this small measure can change your privacy)
– Use an other DNS than Google
– Block Google Adsense ads with an ad blocker.
Protect your passwords: Chrome can also save them
The version of Chrome 69 not only made aesthetic changes, but automatically starts logging into users’ Google account by saving their passwords. To avoid remaining with your passwords, follow these steps:
– Open Chrome and copy this address in the search bar chrome: // flags /
– Then click on “Enter”
– In the search engine that appears, type: # account-consistency
– In the option “Identity consistency between browser and cookie jar” select the “Disable” drop-down.
– Below, the following message will appear: “Changes will be applied the next time you restart Google Chrome.” Then click on “Relaunch now” and the browser will restart.
Google can spy on you using your microphone:
The microphone of your mobile is also an open door for the technological giant to hear and spy on you. To further protect your privacy, follow some of these tips:
Disable the “Ok Google”: If you use Google Assistant, it is almost certain that it is activated when you hear “Ok, Google”. For that, it is necessary that the application be 100% alert, always listening. The way to avoid being constantly heard is like this:
– Go to “Settings”.
– Go to “Google”.
– Access the “Search” option.
– Click on “Voice.
– Enter “Voice Recognition”.
– And finally, disable the “Ok, Google” option.
2) Prevent Google from saving your audio history
By authorizing Google to collect your personal information (which you have surely done by accepting, but not actually reading the terms and conditions) you should know that practically all the commands that you dictate to your mobile are registered. It’s like the search history on the Internet but in audio format.
You can also deactivate them in this site, go to the section “Voice and Audio Activity” and finally disable the scroll.
3) Block Google from your microphone:
You can also prevent Google from using the microphone completely by following these steps:-Go to Settings
-Select Applications.
– Scroll until you find the Google app and access it.
– Select Permission and deactivate Microphone.
What to do so that Google Maps does not follow your steps?
Another way to prevent Google from spying on you is through Google Maps. You can follow your steps to all the places you went thanks to this tool. Although there are many advantages, such as recommending places according to your taste or providing you the most efficient mode of transportation. In actuality, it can be problematic because this method is one of the main tools used to collect your information. To prevent this from happening, you have some options that you can apply:
- Use the Google Maps offline and download the maps beforehand, this will also help you limit the amount of data you spend.
- Open Google Maps
- Click on the button of the 3 vertical bars in the upper left corner
- Press “your chronology”
- Then in the upper right corner, press the button of the 3 vertical bars
- Select settings – application settings
- Press ” the location is activated “and change it to” NO “
You can also delete the history from the computer:
- Enter the google maps website
- Enter your email account
- Select menu -” Your chronology “
- Click on the wheel located at the bottom right
- Select “Delete all location history” – Accept
Although many of these tools are mainly designed for the usability and comfort of each person, if you do not take the appropriate measures for their use your information and privacy will be exposed without you noticing.