This document outlines Google's Privacy Policy, effective July 1, 2025, detailing the types of information Google collects from its users and why, across its vast array of services including Search, YouTube, Android, and integrated third-party products. It explains how this data is used to provide, maintain, improve, and develop new services, offer personalized content and advertising, measure performance, communicate with users, and protect Google and its users. The policy also emphasizes user control through various privacy settings and tools, outlines Google's practices for sharing information (including when consent is required, with domain administrators, for external processing, or legal reasons), and describes robust security measures to protect user data. Furthermore, it details data retention policies, compliance efforts with regulators, and specific requirements for Swiss users.
Google Privacy Policy Summary
Introduction: Google's Privacy Policy, effective July 1, 2025, explains what information Google collects, why, and how users can manage, export, and delete it across its services (apps, sites, devices like Search, YouTube, Google Home; platforms like Chrome, Android; and integrated products like ads, analytics, Google Maps). Users have various controls, including using services signed in or out, Incognito mode, and adjustable privacy settings.
INFORMATION GOOGLE COLLECTS:
General: Information collected depends on how services are used and privacy controls. When signed out, data is linked to unique browser/device identifiers. When signed in, data is stored with the Google Account as personal information.
Provided by You: Personal information like name, password, phone number, payment info (when creating an account). Content created, uploaded, or received (emails, photos, docs, comments).
From Apps, Browsers & Devices: Unique identifiers, browser/device type/settings, OS, mobile network info (carrier, phone number), app version, IP address, crash reports, system activity, request details. For Android devices, this includes device type, carrier, installed apps, and usage info.
Your Activity: Search terms, videos watched, content/ad interactions, voice/audio info, purchase activity, communication partners, activity on third-party sites/apps using Google services, synced Chrome browsing history. Call and message log information may be collected if using services for calls/messages.
Your Location Information: GPS, sensor data, IP address, activity on Google services (e.g., labeled places), nearby Wi-Fi/cell towers/Bluetooth devices. Location data collection and retention vary by device/account settings.
From Other Sources: Publicly accessible sources (e.g., newspaper articles), trusted partners (directory services, marketing partners, security partners).
Technologies Used: Cookies, pixel tags, local storage (browser/app caches), databases, server logs.
WHY GOOGLE COLLECTS DATA:
Provide Services: Deliver requested services (e.g., search results, content sharing).
Maintain & Improve Services: Ensure functionality (tracking outages, troubleshooting) and enhance features (e.g., spell-check).
Develop New Services: Use existing data to create new products (e.g., Google Photos from Picasa).
Personalized Services (including Content & Ads): Customize experiences (recommendations, search results, security tips, app suggestions). Personalized ads based on interests/activity across Google services (not sensitive categories or content from Drive/Gmail/Photos; not sharing personally identifying info with advertisers without consent).
Measure Performance: Analytics and measurement (optimizing product design, understanding ad campaign performance via tools like Google Analytics).
Communicate with You: Direct interaction (security notifications, service updates, support).
Protect Google, Users, Public: Detect, prevent, respond to fraud, abuse, security risks, and technical issues.
Processing Technologies: Uses automated systems for analysis (customized results, ads, abuse detection like spam/malware/illegal content), and algorithms to recognize data patterns (e.g., Google Translate). Data may be combined across services and devices.
YOUR PRIVACY CONTROLS:
General Controls: Privacy Checkup, Product Privacy Guide.
Managing, Reviewing, Updating (Signed In): Photos, Drive, and Google Account tools.
Ad settings (My Ad Center): Control ad personalization, interests, and ad services.
About You: Manage personal info visibility.
Shared Endorsements: Control name/photo appearance next to activity in ads.
Sites and apps that use Google services: Manage data sharing with Google.
Ways to Review & Update Information: My Activity (review/delete saved data), Google Dashboard (manage product-specific info), Personal Info (contact details).
Delete Data: Delete content from specific services, delete specific items from My Activity, delete specific Google products, or delete entire Google Account. Inactive Account Manager for designating access.
RETAINING YOUR INFORMATION:
User Control: Data like personal info, content, activity can be deleted at any time or set for automatic deletion.
Automatic Deletion/Anonymization: Some data (e.g., advertising data) is deleted or anonymized automatically after a set period.
Account Deletion: Some data is kept until Google Account is deleted (e.g., service usage frequency).
Longer Retention: Data retained longer for legitimate business/legal purposes (security, fraud prevention, financial record-keeping).
Deletion Process: Safe and complete removal from servers, with potential delays for active and backup systems.
COMPLIANCE & COOPERATION WITH REGULATORS: Regular review of Privacy Policy, global server infrastructure, compliance with legal frameworks for data transfers. Cooperation with regulatory authorities to resolve complaints.
Swiss requirements: Specific rights for Swiss users (access, update, remove, restrict, object, export information). Contact information provided for Google and its Data Protection Representative (VISCHER AG) in Zurich. Google Ireland Limited acts as data controller for EEA/Switzerland users, Google LLC for UK users, and Google LLC for Google Search/Maps regardless of location.
Legal bases of processing: Data processed based on user consent, legitimate interests (providing/improving services, development, security, research), contractual obligations (providing a service), or legal obligations (responding to requests, financial record-keeping).
ABOUT THIS POLICY: Applies to Google LLC and affiliates (YouTube, Android); does not apply to services with separate privacy policies or practices of other companies/individuals. Policy changes are announced, with access to archived versions.
RELATED PRIVACY PRACTICES: Links to additional privacy information for specific Google services (e.g., Payments, Gemini Apps, YouTube Kids) and other resources for learning about Google's practices and security.