Google’s Data Vault: Why they need to know you searched for “Paris Hilton” 20 times in the last 2 years

Recently Google spurred some debate centered on how long they keep consumer data they have collected through internet searches and various other Google outlets. Up until the EU made it known they were unhappy with Google’s data saving policies; Google held on to data stamped with personal information for 2 years.

In a recent blog, Google tried to clarify their reasons for collecting such information as well as why they tuck it away for so long.

“We have a legitimate interest in retaining search server logs for a number of reasons:

• to improve our search algorithms for the benefit of users
• to defend our systems from malicious access and exploitation attempts
• to maintain the integrity of our systems by fighting click fraud and web spam
• to protect our users from threats like spam and phishing
• to respond to valid legal orders from law enforcement as they investigate and prosecute serious crimes like child exploitation; and
• to comply with data retention legal obligations.

We are announcing a new policy: to anonymize our search server logs after 18 months, rather than the previously-established period of 18 to 24 months. We believe that we can still address our legitimate interests in security, innovation and anti-fraud efforts with this shorter period…”

Google went on to explain that the time period may have to be upped again to 24 months or even longer, but at no point could it dip below 18 months.

Anyone unnerved yet?

Photo source: Aceshowbiz.com