Is Google stalking its users? The tech giant confirms it has years of recorded conversations archived in its database. Users wary of technology now have more fodder for conspiracy theories.
Users have reason to be wary of any activity using Google, especially Google Voice. Aside from documenting browsing behaviour and preference, it appears its voice features have been keeping records of conversations for years without users' knowledge.
Google Sees Everything
Independent UK reports that Google has indeed archived recordings of conversations, users can easily access and even delete these from the database. It implies Google is discreetly listening in on these correspondences, though.
Google apparently keeps the records to maximize applications' search features, improving language recognition and providing better search results. Fortunately, the archived data is compiled in a portal accessible to users.
The portal was introduced June last year, and has been archiving users' voice recordings ever since. The portal also presents users with a history of every page visited using or involving any of Google's products and apps.
Users Unaware of the Surveillance
The main issue users have with Google's surveillance system is that they were informed of the feature. Though it seems logical that any service with a search feature requires a record of previous activity, it's apparent Google was not upfront in informing users of this, especially with voice recordings sensitive and private in nature.
The portal is a double-edged sword, serving as an online diary of sorts that documents online history. Users might be overwhelmed by the amount of data collected about them, though. This may even seem insidious to many users, depending on how intimate the recordings were.
There's detailed information on the recordings, including the app used to record the data, and any text transcription Google managed to glean. Fortunately, users who feel violated have the option to delete the recordings, selectively or entirely.
Archives of audio recordings and browsing history are accessible with a Google account. A DNA India report also recommends users to disable the virtual assistant and voice search if they don't want Google to stop recording their activity online.
