The world’s leading provider of Web search said it is taking steps to anonymize, or obscure details, after 18 to 24 months on the surfing habits of tens of millions of Web users that could potentially be used to identify individuals.

“Previously, we kept this data for as long as it was useful,” Google officials said in statement to be made public on Thursday but provided to reporters on Wednesday. “Unless we’re legally required to retain log data for longer, we will anonymize our server logs after a limited period of time.”

“By anonymizing our server logs after 18-24 months, we think we’re striking the right balance between two goals: continuing to improve Google’s services for you, while providing more transparency and certainty about our retention practices,” the Google statement said.

Google cautioned that data retention laws in some national or regional jurisdictions could obligate Google to retain Web server logs at some point in the future.

Personally, I’m glad they’re also retaining my ability to maintain a search history — voluntarily.



  1. venom monger says:

    In other words “We’ll do this, except when we don’t”

    Thanks for nuttin.

  2. Gasparrini says:

    Nice ‘O’s. With that logo I would be using Google more.

  3. James Hill says:

    While its nice to see your daughter again, remember that some of us are in offices.

    As for the story, hopefully Google wll take this brave stance with all of the offerings… and not just in selected nations.

  4. Mister Justin says:

    3,

    Why don’t you turn off images in your browser?

  5. mark says:

    4. Sorry. Not buying this story at all. 18-24 months is plenty of time for the NSA filters to get what they need.

  6. JimR says:

    I prefer lower case O’s. Those caps are bordering on freakish.

  7. Paul says:

    Wow, this is as close to an empty gesture as you can get. Two years is an eternity in internet time. Still, it’s a step in the right direction, albeit an incredibly tiny one.

  8. They are lower case and they look spectacular!

  9. James Hill says:

    #4 – Because my browser, or pictures in general, are not the problem.

    Granted, a good portion of this community has the “in my parent’s basement” stench about them, so I may be in the minority with my opinion.

  10. James,
    Do you have someone looking over you shoulder or something.
    geese its not anything you do normally see is it?
    I had some idiot with a phd say that my website isn’t appropriate for 8 year olds… LOL But its ok for the little monsters to watch king of the hill and the Simpson’s..

  11. moss says:

    You forget – James is in Utah. By choice.

  12. Eideard says:

    Daughter? I grew up in a good Catholic state. When I had my vasectomy, it was illegal, along with condoms, abortion, flowers, sunlight, whatever.

  13. Mister Justin says:

    10,

    Let’s not get into your problems then. Probably would violate the posting guidelines. Well, you like the site, and especially the denizens, so turn off the pics and enjoy the text. Since pictures are not the problem, you won’t mind not seeing them.

    Or are you one of those hypocritical types, ala Mark Foley and Ted Haggart?

  14. UTAH,,, oh my I’m sorry…

  15. Guyver says:

    3, 8: Yup… strangely there’s no mention of this with respect to the Chinese.

  16. John Paradox says:

    I prefer lower case O’s. Those caps are bordering on freakish.
    Comment by JimR

    I’m a butt man rather than a breast man myself.

    J/P=?

  17. JimR says:

    “I’m a butt man rather than a breast man myself.”

    Actually J/P, just nudge those babies together…

  18. TJGeezer says:

    Idle curiosity… if she used helium to inflate those things, would her baby sound all funny when it cries?

  19. RuralRob says:

    In case y’all are wondering, her name is Bea Flora.

  20. James Hill says:

    By choice is an interesting stretch of the term… By circumstance is a better way to put it.

    [edited: comments guide]

  21. OhForTheLoveOf says:

    #21 – Gee… Doesn’t Bill O’Rielly have a blog you could read instead?

  22. Jägermeister says:

    We’re Google… Trust us… We do no evil…

    P.s. Eideard must have visited Booble.com…. 😉

  23. mark says:

    I thought this was about privacy, right? I like a nice pair as much as the next guy, but……

    buncha horndogs you guys.

  24. Eideard says:

    #23 — actually the search was “Google anonymize” and she was on the 1st page. And, yes, Preferences were set at the default “Use moderate filtering”

  25. Mr. Fusion says:

    #21, The content is great. The Contributing Editors are great. The publisher (Bloggisher) is great. The comments from 49 states and the District of Columbia are great. Unfortunately, that Utah representative, token as he may be, spoils it for everyone.

    And the picture is great too.

  26. Well Edward,
    looks like you win the boobie prize..in a good way!!! great Job!!!

  27. Any chance you can make a Google logo using her bottom half?
    That would be very enlighting….just a hunch.

  28. Good news she has a webpage.
    WARNING its for ADULTS only!!!!!!!!!
    http://www.beaflora.org/

  29. Jägermeister says:

    #25

    I know… their filter sometimes let through questionable images. 😀

  30. Quote says:

    The picture is titstament… WHOOPS! … testicularament that G(.)(.)GLE rules the search world.

    OTOH: GET THIS: WHAT DOES DVORAK.ORG SAVE?

    w00t!


1

Bad Behavior has blocked 4513 access attempts in the last 7 days.