Years ago, we searched the web, bought new gadgets, and typed in our email addresses without much thought. As far as accounts went, "Hey if it's free, sign me up," we thought. Fast forward to now, and you can't go online or turn on the news without hearing about the control Big Tech has on our lives – and the growing resentment around it. We’re not the only ones noticing. Probably due to government initiatives, tech companies are making changes to address these concerns. You can now password protect the page that reveals all your Google searches and other activity.
Here’s how to set it up:
If you are signed in to your Google account, navigate to the Activity settings.
On the left-hand pane, click on Activity controls.
At the bottom of the Web & App Activity block, click on Manage my activity.
Next to Google protects your privacy and security, click on Manage My Activity verification.
If you own an iPhone, it’s easier than ever to see what info the apps you use are collecting and block that data from being shared. Tap or click for five iPhone security settings everyone should know about. Americans may be finally waking up to the fact that when a product is free, they are in fact, the product.
When’s the last time you got through a day without picking up your iPhone or Android smartphone? What about your Apple or Microsoft computer? Shopping on Amazon or scrolling through posts on Facebook?
The survey found that 76% of those who responded use Google daily, followed by Microsoft (60%), Apple (49%), and Facebook (45%). Over 40% shop on Amazon or use Amazon owned-products like the Echo daily; 89% are active shoppers on Amazon.com. Only a mere 1.34% or 85 of those polled say they don’t interact with at least one of those companies every day.