Google and Personal Information

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When a quick unknown fact or question arises in us, we “Google It”. Google is the largest and most powerful search engine in the world. But with the rise of popularity also comes the rise of power. In 2013, Google had 1.1 billion users a month creating over 114 billion searches (Fox). The fact is Google is doing something right, while on the other hand, to be able to attract this amount of people monthly, also means they are doing something outside of our privacy rights, therefore, I want to show you the different ways in which your tracked on Google and recommend a new search engine called DuckDuckGo.
Launching in 1997, Google has grown as a superpower around the world in only 17 years of business (Bullas). The simple, quick, and instant responses to just about anything are incredible. But what goes on behind the scenes in Google? According to Gabriel Weinberg, the Software Producer, and current CEO of DuckDuckGo search engine, “Google is increasingly tailoring your searches based on your search history”. This is known as Individual profiling. The process of individual data profiling is when Google gathers information about you, whether it is the content of your gmail, your Google Plus, or even your searches,and organizes it into your own user data information, your user data is then used in various different ways. Profiling raises a few red flags in respect to the user. First, you must realize that anything you search can be tracked by any Google worker, or used against you in court (Weinberg). And second, your history gives search engines the information needed to direct you toward higher hotel prices etc. for the convenience of advertising companies (Mattioli).
Another frightening fact is that Lawyers are hungry for your sear...

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...ashable. N.p., 27 Sept. 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.
"Gabriel Weinberg, Founder of Duck Duck Go, at Gel 2013." Vimeo. Gel Conference, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.
Helm, Louie. "Anything You Search For Can and Will Be Used Against You in a Court of Law | Singularity Hub." Singularity Hub. N.p., 15 Feb. 2011. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.
Mattioli, Dana. "On Orbitz, Mac Users Steered to Pricier Hotels." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 23 Aug. 2012. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.
Schwartz, Barry. "Google's Cutts Argues Google's Search Results More Than 18%." Seroundtable.com. N.p., 5 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.
"User Data Requests – Google Transparency Report." User Data Requests – Google Transparency Report. Google, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.
Wortham, Jenna. "Privacy, Please: This Is Only for the Two of Us." The New York Times. The New York Times, 02 June 2012. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.

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