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I Google therefore I am. Google Dashboard released.
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Google has often been maligned by its critics as a personal information squatter. Google's unveiling of Dashboard is a response to those charges, and allows users to see any information that Goggle has gathered. In my opinion, this is a bold step by the worlds largest search engine to make your Internet experiences with them transparent and manageable.
Here is what Google has to say about the dashboard:
We created the Dashboard to help you answer the question: 'What information does Google have about me?' Organized by product, the page displays product-specific data that's associated with your Google Account.
We focused on Google Account data, because that's the data that is personally associated with you. Therefore, we want you to have as much access to and control over it as possible. Learn about the other types of data Google records that are not listed on the Dashboard.
Yes, there is information that is not on the dashboard. Data that is not account associated like server logs, cookies and interest-based advertising to name a few. There are a few that are saying that Google is not revealing all they know about you and this is a weak attempt to silence its' critics. Still, Google is the first to come up with a method that allows a "one stop shop" for your account. If you know anything about Google, rest assured the process will continue to grow and get better. Google has not paid me to say this, however an Android phone would be appreciated.
How to get to the dashboard:
If you use Google, log into your account, and then look in the upper right hand side for "My Account". Click on that and the account page comes up.
Look under personal settings for "Dashboard", then click on" View data stored with this account". I had to sign in again with my password but your experiences may vary.
I have to admit I was feeling a bit tense at this point. I have been using Google for years and was a bit concerned about what had been gathered about me. I have been guilty of SUI (Searching Under the Influence) and did I really want to know how many times I have viewed "The History of Dance" on You Tube? I was actually relieved at the lack of information on my Dashboard. Google Dashboard also listed some items I had forgotten about. My Google Reader, Picasa, Blogger, an Orkut accounts to name a few.
For the first time I was able to see the length and breadth of the Google impact upon me and it reminded me of how much it had cost me. Not one penny. Google, to me, is like the game of Truth or Dare. It is an exchange of information for not having to do the dare, which is life without Google. However, Google has never asked me some of the embarrassing questions I had to answer in the kids game. "Do you love so and so" or "What is the biggest secret you know". Google is available to anyone who has Internet access and is yours for the low, low price of nothing.
Log into your Google Dashboard and check it out. It is a great service and once again, it is free. If you want to reach me my email is examinerrob@google.com
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