Google boosts privacy with new activity controls for Search and Play
Google is rolling out new privacy tools that give users finer control over how their activity data shapes Search results and Google Play recommendations. The changes arrive as the company faces ongoing scrutiny over data collection practices and user consent.
A closer look at the updated controls
The updated settings appear in the user’s account dashboard under “Manage your activity controls.” Here, users can now toggle off the saving of activity history entirely, a feature previously limited to web and app activity. This means Search queries and Play Store interactions no longer need to be stored if the user prefers greater privacy. In addition, a new “personalization” switch lets users disable personalized recommendations across Search and Play without turning off activity saving altogether.
Why these changes matter
These updates reflect growing demand for transparency and user autonomy in digital ecosystems. By separating activity saving from personalization, Google provides clearer choices: keep activity history for convenience but disable tailored suggestions, or stop saving activity entirely. The move also aligns with broader industry trends toward giving users more granular control over data usage. While the changes don’t eliminate data collection by default, they offer a more intuitive way to manage it.
For now, the rollout is gradual and may not be visible to all users immediately. Those interested can check their account settings or wait for the prompt to appear in the coming weeks.
Source: BleepingComputer. AI-assisted editorial synthesis — TechnoExpress.