Google Dashboard

Google knows a lot about you and me. In an effort to become more transparent to users about how it collects information and to allow individuals to modify that information, Google has created the Google Dashboard.

The Dashboard provides, in a central location, a place where users of Google services can see which Google services they use, change how they use them, and find out what information Google collects about their usage habits. This new dashboard provides insight into the amount of data Google collects about you as well as a central access point to all Google services that you use (whether you remember signing up for them or not).

To access the Dashboard, simply visit Google.com and click the “My Account” link. Under Personal Settings, click on the Dashboard to see information about your account. Each Google service you use is listed, along with information about your last login, recent items, and links to read the service’s privacy policy. You can also change your settings or customize your account, or go directly to the account so you can see what information you have stored in that service.

In addition to listing Google services you use, the Dashboard pulls data about your recent Web searches. You can see what you’ve been searching for and even go to your search history. Some items in your profile information have people icons next to them. This indicates that the profile information is public, or the data behind that link is shared with other users of that service in some way. This allows you to quickly see what information is stored about you, but also what information is public and available for the world to see. Each service also includes a link to their respective privacy policies, so you can read about what information is kept about you and why, and modify your settings right from the Dashboard.

You may be surprised at how much information about you is already online. At least Google now provides a way to learn about and better manage this information.