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Google clarifies that its new privacy policy won't change users' privacy settings

Google clarifies that its new privacy policy won't change users' privacy settings

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Google has been forced to clarify its new privacy policy in light of consumer concerns

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Google lock privacy

Despite Google's best efforts to introduce a simpler universal privacy policy across its numerous products, it seems that its customers aren't finding the new document entirely transparent, with some left confused and concerned by the changes being made. In a post on the Google Public Policy Blog, Google's director of Public Policy Pablo Chavez explains that although the privacy policy might be changing, users' privacy controls — and the permissions they give their content — will remain unchanged.

Chavez is quick to assuage a number of potential fears in the post. He assures users that their private information will remain private, that many tasks will still be available without a Google account, that the centralized privacy tools like Google Dashboard and Ads will remain in place, that Google will not sell data to third parties, and that if users are unhappy then the Takeout service is still available to those who would rather leave.

However, the post doesn't specifically address the widest source of concern in the privacy policy, which is Google's move to share your activities across all of its products. For those who would rather their search results weren't affected by what they've watched on YouTube, the only option come March 1st will be to dive deep into each Google service's individual privacy settings and try to turn off features that involve data retention and personalization — or to sign out and clear your cookies of Google entirely.