当您在Google上搜索、观看YouTube视频或使用地图获取路线时，您会留下足迹供Google收集。数据(Data)是Google最宝贵的资产之一，因此当您使用其产品和服务时，它会收集尽可能多的信息。(harvests as much information it can when you use its products)
有鉴于此，您有没有想过Google如何处理从您那里收集的数据？或者是否有办法访问这些信息？你甚至应该关心吗？
Google几乎会记录您使用与您的(Google)Google帐户相关联的应用、网站和其他服务所做的所有事情。这些信息被编译并保存在名为“我的活动(My Activity)”的在线个人资料中。
在接下来的部分中，我们将解释什么是“Google 我的活动”以及如何使用该工具来控制 Google 的数据收集活动(control Google’s data collection activity)。
什么是 Google 我的活动？
想一想(Think)你的医院病历。它通常包含有关您就诊和入院的信息；习惯和过敏；用药史；测试结果; 过去和现在的诊断；等等。医院对您的病史和习惯的了解越多，医生就越能更快地诊断和治疗您。
这类似于Google My Activity的目的。它记录了您在Google(Google)上的在线活动以及与其服务的互动。
谷歌我的活动(Google My Activity)（或我的活动(My Activity)，简称）是你的谷歌(Google)数据的存档。它也是一种工具，可让您查看和管理Google在您使用其产品和服务时收集的数据。正如谷歌(Google)所说，“我的活动(My Activity)”旨在“让您掌控自己的数据”。
通过“我的活动”，您可以检查(My Activity)Google可能访问的您的信息和在线活动有多少（或很少？） 。
在我们向您展示如何访问“我的活动”(My Activity)实用程序以及如何使用它来管理您的数据之前，让我们看一下Google在您每次使用其任何产品和服务时收集的一些信息。
Google 收集哪些数据？
Google出于多种原因收集数据。但是，数据收集的主要目的是改善其服务并提供个性化体验（例如定制广告和搜索结果(customized ads and search results)）。您可以在其隐私政策页面(its Privacy Policy page)上详细了解Google为何收集数据。
Google在您使用其服务时收集的信息包括但不限于以下内容：
- 您搜索的内容（在Google和YouTube 上(YouTube)）。
- 您观看的视频。
- 您查看或点击的广告。
- 位置信息和历史记录（您访问过的地方和去过的地方）。
- 您用于访问 Google 服务的工具（浏览器信息、应用程序、设备等）
- 您访问的网站。
这些信息通常分为三类。了解此数据分段将帮助您了解如何导航“ Google 我的活动(Google My Activity)”页面并管理您的数据。
1. 网络和应用活动：(1. Web and App Activity:)在这里，您可以找到您的Google 搜索(Google Search)历史记录、Google Chrome浏览历史记录，以及您在连接到您的Google帐户的其他应用程序上访问的网站。还有更多：您的语音搜索（在Google Maps(Google Maps)和Google Search上）、地图导航以及您与Google Assistant的交互的录音也保存在此类别中。
此页面上保存的其他信息包括您的 IP 地址、您点击的广告以及您在广告商网站上购买的商品。如果您使用Android设备，Google将在“(Google)我的活动(My Activity)”页面的此部分中保存有关您手机的信息（电池电量、已安装的应用程序、系统错误等） 。
2. YouTube 历史记录：(2. YouTube History:)此部分包含您的YouTube活动，包括您在(YouTube)YouTube 上(YouTube)搜索的视频、观看的视频、观看这些视频的日期和时间，以及用于观看这些视频的设备。
3. 位置记录：(3. Location History:)如果您使用启用了位置服务的Android设备，即使您没有使用Google服务， (Google)Google也会保存您访问过的地方。对于 iOS 设备，Google通过专用的(Google)Google应用程序（实时）收集您的位置。
当您删除或禁用数据收集(Disable Data Collection)时会发生什么？
对于每个Google帐户，Google默认会自动收集这些信息（以及更多信息）。但是，您有权限制或完全停止数据收集。因此，如果您不想让Google将您的信息保存在其数据库中，您可以从“(Google)我的活动(My Activity)”页面中删除您的在线活动历史记录。但是当你这样做时会发生什么？
好吧，拒绝Google访问您的数据确实没有任何严重后果。您将像其他所有用户一样享受Google服务的基本功能。(Google)但是，您将无法使用个性化功能、广告和推荐。
例如，禁用YouTube 历史记录(YouTube History)意味着您在搜索视频时将不再收到建议。同样(Likewise)，YouTube将停止推荐它认为您可能喜欢的视频。
当您关闭位置记录(Location History)时，Google将停止向您发送有关您的通勤提示（在地图(Maps)中），您也不会收到有关您去过/去过的地方的推荐和广告。
发现和控制您的数据
您可以在移动设备和计算机上访问“ Google 我的活动”实用程序。(Google My Activity)按照下面列出的步骤，了解如何通过Android、iOS 和 PC上的“ Google 我的活动”查看和管理您的数据。(Google My Activity)
在 PC 上使用“Google 我的活动”(Use Google My Activity on PC)
1. 启动您首选的网络浏览器并访问“ Google 我的活动”页面(Google My Activity page)（或在浏览器的 URL 中键入myactivity.google.com ）。
如果您尚未登录Google帐户，则可能需要登录。
2. 您会在“我的活动”(My Activity)仪表板顶部找到上述类别（网络与应用活动(Web & App Activity)、位置历史记录(Location History)和YouTube 历史记录）。(YouTube History)
滚动到仪表板底部，您会看到所有最近使用的Google应用程序和服务的概览——地图、Google搜索历史以及您访问的网站。
单击三点菜单图标(three-dot menu icon)并选择详细信息(Details)以了解有关活动/项目的更多信息。
否则，请单击删除(Delete)以将其（永久）从 Google 的数据库中删除。
在项目详细信息(Item details)页面上，您将找到有关活动的准确信息。
假设(Say)您在Google上搜索“(Google)纽约(New York)最佳宠物店”(Stores)，商品详情(Item)页面将显示您执行搜索的确切日期和时间、您使用的设备等。
想要阻止Google收集您的数据？这是做什么
如前所述，您还可以使用“我的活动”(My Activity)工具来限制 Google 的数据收集或完全终止它。您所要做的就是禁用所有三个类别的数据收集——网络与应用(All)活动(App Activity)、位置历史记录(Location History)和YouTube 历史记录(YouTube History)。
单击(Click)左上角的汉堡菜单图标，然后选择Activity controls。
浏览页面上的数据选项并将它们中的每一个都关闭。
要删除所有以前保存的网络活动，请返回“我的活动”(My Activity)主页并点击“删除(Delete)”下拉按钮。
[10-删除-谷歌活动.png]
在删除活动(Delete Activity)窗口中选择所有时间(All time)选项。
确保选中全(Select All)选框，然后单击下一步(Next)继续。
设置(Set)自动数据删除计划(Automatic Data Deletion Schedule)
Google提供了一个自动删除选项来清除您的帐户数据。滚动到数据组并选择自动删除(Auto-delete)。
从自动删除(Auto-delete)选项中进行选择，然后单击下一步(Next)继续。Google只允许用户自动删除超过 3、18 或 36 个月的数据。
在 Android 上使用“Google 我的活动”(Use Google My Activity on Android)
如果您使用 Android 驱动的智能手机或桌子，这就是您需要做的。
1. 进入设置(Settings)并选择谷歌(Google)。
2. 点击管理您的 Google 帐户(Manage your Google Account)按钮。
3. 转到数据和个性化(Data & personalization)选项卡并选择管理您的活动控制(Manage your activity controls)。
这将启动活动(Activity)控制页面，您可以在其中访问Google在您使用的所有服务中保存的数据
在 iOS 上使用“Google 我的活动”(Use Google My Activity on iOS)
您还可以使用Google应用访问iPhone 和 iPad 上的“我的活动”(My Activity)实用程序。
1. 启动Google应用并点击右上角的个人资料图标(profile icon)。
2. 点击管理您的 Google 帐户(Manage your Google Account)按钮。
3. 选择个人信息和隐私(Personal info & privacy)。
4. 滚动到管理您的 Google 活动(Manage your Google activity)部分并选择活动控件(Activity controls)。
您将能够在结果页面上管理保存在您的Google帐户中的数据。
你为什么要关心
您可能已经拥有Google帐户多年。只有知道您向Google(Google)提供了多少数据、它对您的了解以及它如何处理您的信息才有意义。对吗(Right)？
有趣的是，谷歌(Google)的数据收集过程和做法是透明的。更好的是，谷歌(Google)为您（和十亿其他用户）提供了围绕您数据的有意义的选择。您可以随时选择加入和退出各种数据收集；您是数据的主导者。
虽然保存您帐户的活动将有助于Google改善和个性化您的体验，但有时会让人有些毛骨悚然。假设您在(Say)Google或YouTube上搜索“如何给婴儿换尿布” ，您一定会在您访问的每个应用程序或网站上看到来自不同尿布品牌的无休止广告。
如果您对Google(Google)收集的个人信息量或您的数据用于向您投放有针对性的广告的方式不满意，可以使用“我的活动”(My Activity)工具。使用它来保护您的数据并保护您的在线隐私(protect your online privacy)。
Google My Activity: Why You Should Care
When you search on Google, watch YoυTube videos, or use Maps to get directionѕ, you leave footрrints for Google to collect. Data is onе of Google’s most prized assets, so it harvests as much information it can when you use its products and services.
In view of this, have you ever stopped to wonder what Google does with the data it collects from you? Or if there’s a way to access this information? Should you even care?
Google records almost everything you do with apps, websites, and other services connected to your Google account. This information is compiled and saved in an online profile called “My Activity.”
In the next sections, we’ll explain what “Google My Activity” is and how you can use the tool to control Google’s data collection activity.
What Is Google My Activity?
Think of your hospital medical records for a second. It usually contains information about your hospital visits and admission; habits and allergies; medication history; test results; past and present diagnosis; etc. The more information a hospital has about your medical history and habits, the better and faster the doctor is able to diagnose and treat you.
This is akin to the purpose of Google My Activity. It’s a record of your online activities on Google and interactions with its services.
Google My Activity (or My Activity, for short) is the archive of your Google data. It’s also a tool that lets you view and manage data that Google collects when you use its products and services. As Google puts it, My Activity is designed to “put you in control of your data.”
With My Activity, you can scrutinize how much (or little?) of your information and online activities Google may access.
Before we show you how to access the My Activity utility, and how to use it to manage your data, let’s have a look at some of the information Google collects each time you use any of its products and services.
What Data Does Google Collect?
Google collects data for several reasons. However, the major purpose of data collection is to improve its services and provide a personalized experience (customized ads and search results, for example). You can learn more about why Google collects data on its Privacy Policy page.
The information Google collects when you use its services include, but not limited to, the following:
- Things you search for (on Google and YouTube).
- Videos you watch.
- Ads that you view or click.
- Location information and history (places you visit and places you’ve been).
- Tools that you use to access Google’s services (browser information, apps, devices, etc.)
- Websites you visit.
These information are usually grouped into three categories. Understanding this data segmentation will help you understand how to navigate the Google My Activity page and manage your data.
1. Web and App Activity: Here, you’ll find your Google Search history, browsing history on Google Chrome, and websites you visit on other applications connected to your Google account. There’s more: audio recordings of your voice searches (on Google Maps and Google Search), map navigations, as well as your interactions with Google Assistant are also saved in this category.
Other information saved on this page include your IP address, ads you click, and things you purchase on an advertiser’s website. If you use an Android device, Google will save information about your phone (battery level, installed applications, system errors, etc.) in this section of the My Activity page.
2. YouTube History: This section houses your YouTube activities including the videos you search for on YouTube, videos that you watch, the date and time you watched these videos, as well as the devices used to watch them.
3. Location History: If you use an Android device with location services enabled, Google will save the places you visit, even when you aren’t using a Google service. For iOS devices, Google collects your location (in real-time) via the dedicated Google app.
What Happens When You Delete or Disable Data Collection?
For every Google account, Google automatically collects these information (and more) by default. However, you have the liberty to limit data collection or stop it entirely. So if you’d rather not have Google save your information in its database, you can delete your online activity history from the My Activity page. But what happens when you do so?
Well, there’s really no severe consequence attached to denying Google access to your data. You’ll enjoy the basic features of Google’s services just like every other user. However, you’ll lose access to personalized features, ads, and recommendations.
For example, disabling YouTube History means you’ll no longer get suggestions when you search for videos. Likewise, YouTube will stop recommending videos it thinks you might like.
When you turn off Location History, Google will stop sending you tips about your commute (in Maps), neither will you receive recommendations and ads about places you’ve been/visited.
Discover and Control Your Data
You can access the Google My Activity utility on your mobile devices and computer. Follow the steps listed below to learn how to view and manage your data via Google My Activity on Android, iOS, and PC.
Use Google My Activity on PC
1. Launch your preferred web browser and visit the Google My Activity page (or type myactivity.google.com into your browser’s URL).
You may be required to sign into your Google account if you haven’t done so already.
2. You’ll find the aforementioned categories (Web & App Activity, Location History, and YouTube History) at the top of the My Activity dashboard.
Scroll to the bottom of the dashboard and you’ll find an overview of all recently-used Google apps and services—Maps, Google search history, and websites you visit.
Click the three-dot menu icon and select Details to learn more about the activity/item.
Otherwise, click Delete to remove it (permanently) from Google’s database.
On the Item details page, you’ll find precise information about the activity.
Say you searched for “Best Pet Stores in New York” on Google, the Item details page will reveal the exact date and time you performed the search, the device you used, and more.
Want to Stop Google from Collecting Your Data? Here’s What To Do
As mentioned earlier, you can also use the My Activity tool to limit Google’s data collection or put an end to it entirely. All you have to do is disable data collection for all three categories—Web & App Activity, Location History, and YouTube History.
Click the hamburger menu icon at the top-left corner and select Activity controls.
Go through the data options on the page and toggle each of them off.
To delete all previously-saved web activities, return to the My Activity homepage and tap the Delete drop-down button.
[10-delete-google-activity.png]
Select the All time option in the Delete Activity window.
Make sure you check the Select All box and click Next to proceed.
Set An Automatic Data Deletion Schedule
Google provides an auto-delete option to erase your account data. Scroll to the data group and select Auto-delete.
Choose from the Auto-delete options and click Next to proceed. Google only allows users to auto-delete data older than 3, 18, or 36 months.
Use Google My Activity on Android
If you use an Android-powered smartphone or table, here’s what you need to do.
1. Go to Settings and select Google.
2. Tap the Manage your Google Account button.
3. Go to the Data & personalization tab and select Manage your activity controls.
That will launch the Activity control page where you can access the data saved by Google across all services you’ve used
Use Google My Activity on iOS
You can also access the My Activity utility on your iPhone and iPad using the Google app.
1. Launch the Google app and tap the profile icon at the top-right corner.
2. Tap the Manage your Google Account button.
3. Select Personal info & privacy.
4. Scroll to the Manage your Google activity section and select Activity controls.
You’ll be able to manage data saved in your Google account on the resulting page.
Why Should You Care
You’ve probably had your Google account(s) for years. It only makes sense to know how much data you’re providing Google, what it knows about you, and how it’s handling your information. Right?
Interestingly, Google is transparent about its data collection process and practices. Even better, Google hands you (and a billion of other users) the meaningful choice around your data. You can opt in and out of all varieties of data collection at any time; you’re in the driver’s seat of your data.
Although saving your account’s activity will help Google improve and personalize your experience, it can get a bit creepy annoying sometimes. Say you made a search on “how to diaper a baby” on Google or YouTube, you’re bound to start seeing unending ads from different diaper brands on every app or website you visit.
If you aren’t happy with the amount of personal information that Google collects, or how your data is being used to deliver targeted ads to you, the My Activity tool is at your disposal. Use it to secure your data and protect your online privacy.
