Google Account and Privacy while using Google Search & Google YouTube TV

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[Tex265]

I have resisted signing up for a Google Account or actually signing into anything Google related due to the extent that Google gets involved in what you do on the internet.

I have been exploring YouTube TV which requires a Google Account. However, understanding their Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Collections is hard to fully comprehend in real life situations. Note my computer and TV share the same internet provider, internet wire, modem, etc

1. If I signed up for YouTube TV and a Google Account and shut off as much as possible within the Google Account data collection areas, and I only sign into the Account on my TV set and use the YouTube TV app, will Google collect and  sell my Account info and viewing history to others?
2. Same as above, but being signed in on only my computer browser vs a TV set?
3. If I am signed into Google Account and YouTube TV on my TV set, but not specifically signed into either of them on my Browser (FireFox or Edge), and utilize my Browser and Google Search, will my Google search activity and website activity be able to be collected via my Google Account?  Or do I need to be specifically signed into the Google Account on each device being used?
4. Same as above, but utilizing a search engine other than Google (say Duck Duck Go)?

In essence, if you are signed into a Google Account anywhere on your internet service provider, does Google consider you being automatically signed in for anything else Google related that you do on that service, or does each app or device have to be specifically signed into that Google Account for it to collect your information?

Any other comments or precautions would be appreciated.

 

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

• This topic was modified 2 weeks, 1 day ago by Tex265.
• This topic was modified 2 weeks, 1 day ago by Tex265.

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My thoughts are this – I have the Google mail app, set it up years ago. I’m never signed in through the browser unless I want to access my Gmail accounts through Safari or DDG on my iPad or MacMiniM1. I make it a habit to Sign Out within a few minutes after I’m done getting into one or more Gmail accounts through Google, most times to change a password or specific privacy settings. I’m not one to keep my accounts signed in unless like I said it’s to change Settings, or if actively involved. Mail apps on the iPhone and iPad and Mac are in touch through the wires sending and receiving, but I trust the security Apple has laid out for its users.

Again, this is how I operate from a Google app standpoint. Google is always trying to get folks to sign in and keep their account active round the clock. I avoid this. My YouTube account is also signed out unless I’m using it at the time. I’m sure Google has plenty of information on the masses who utilize their products, but I’m not going to forfeit my existing setup thinking if I didn’t have Google, everything would be private, not the case with any tech company and their products.

All of what I’m saying here is a personal preference and there are plenty of people who will tell you they avoid Google anything and everything. And I do understand why they have an aversion to all eyes on you. But my opinion is, if you’re connected to the internet go with your intuition and set strict preferences for access into any app you have on your devices. And Sign Out when you’re done with the app.

MacOS, iOS, iPadOS, and SOS at times.

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I have the same questions. I have resisted Google for years, but I’ve been caught!!! We purchased a SONY Bravia TV. It is Android.  It is Google.  I wanted to get Hulu and in order to do that, I had to set up Google TV/Play.  I didn’t realize all that came with the TV! (You have to research EVERYTHING!!!)

I have a Google/gmail account, but it’s not my primary email, fortunately! I have had to use it more and more, originally to access google docs for a group,  now for Sunday Ticket on Youtube + as I mention above.  Of course, these are all personal choices I have made…….

But, I was thinking the same exact thing since I just logged onto the TV yesterday and got the Hulu app.  The TV is still logged into Google, but it’s not turned on.  I keep everything else (gmail, google on devices, youtube) logged out.  But still have this nagging suspicion I’m being tracked.  It bothers me, but I know my privacy is not private any more anyway.  I have to recheck my Google privacy settings…..fwiw.

I read that if you download pictures, the notification is sent back that you opened the email. I have that turned off on Outlook so it’s not automatically downloaded.

This type of tracking extends to emails, as well, with tracking pixels embedded in emails from most companies, so they know when you read their emails.

Can they/are they tracking while the TV is shut off?? Should I keep that logged out too?  I have been using DDG, I avoid Google search.

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I will be interested to read the resolution of @Tex265’s questions.

My understanding of it is that if you’re not signed into Google, then Google doesn’t (can’t?) follow you around the Web. If this is true, then you can use a browser where you haven’t signed into Google, even on the same computer, and Google won’t know where you go.

On the other hand, some years ago there were claims that Facebook follows its members everywhere, even if they’re signed out of FB, via the use of beacons (? I think that was the term used) that come with those ubiquitous FB “Like” icons that pepper websites. I never came across a refutation of this idea, so maybe Google also can follow people around the Web.

One thing I am pretty sure of, though, is that Google can’t follow you on your TV if you’re only signed in on your PC, and vice versa.

Additional information on these topics is welcome!

 

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Myst

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As Cybertooth eluded too, you don’t need to be signed in to anything to be tracked – Facebook can track you on any site where there is a Facebook like button (it tracks both members and non-members this way). Google tracking is even more widespread, though: Google can track you on any website that uses Google advertising (Google owns 39% of the online advertising market) and any website that uses other Google technologies (Google fonts, etc.), which is probably most of them (it tracks both members and non-members this way too).

This type of tracking extends to emails, as well, with tracking pixels embedded in emails from most companies, so they know when you read their emails.

And of course, most people use Chrome as a browser, so I’ll let you imagine how much Google knows about the sites you visit from that.

The nearest thing to solutions: Use an ad blocker such as uBlock Origin, and don’t use Chrome (Firefox and Brave are your best bets). It won’t stop everything, because companies can still fingerprint your browser/computer combination (which will get tied to your account if you ever sign in to Google/Facebook, so they can link your browsing activity to your account even when you’re signed out), but it will stop most things.

On the note of whether Google can track you on a different device – I don’t see why they couldn’t, because you’re still using the same IP address. And even if you reset your IP address, your new IP address can just be linked to your old one via your device fingerprints.

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I use UBlock Origin and DuckDuckGo. All interested parties can track regardless, I just do my best, I’m good with my personal preferences for settings. It’s nice we can all pitch in to share options for those who inquire about privacy.

MacOS, iOS, iPadOS, and SOS at times.

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As Cybertooth eluded too, you don’t need to be signed in to anything to be tracked – Facebook can track you on any site where there is a Facebook like button (it tracks both members and non-members this way). Google tracking is even more widespread

I don’t know if this is exactly the same, when I am on Google and go privacy settings, or some other ‘sensitive’ link, Google sends a code/security check to my Youtube that I must click in order to proceed on Google. Which is good, bc it’s 2FA, but they can do that while I am logged out of Youtube………

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Can they/are they tracking while the TV is shut off?? Should I keep that logged out too?

Basically, Google has an analytics profile on you as a person. Your account, if you have one, is just part of that.

Here’s how it would work:

1. You browse to a website on your computer that has Google analytics/advertising/etc. embedded (this is most websites, not just Google-owned ones). Google gathers your IP address and your device fingerprint (and the details of the website and what you do on it) and adds it to your analytics profile.
2. You sign in to Google or YouTube on your TV. It knows you are the same person since you have the same IP address, so it adds your account to your analytics profile.
3. You sign out of Google or YouTube on your TV.
4. Maybe you reset your IP address, (wrongly) thinking it will help.
5. You browse to a website on your computer that has Google analytics/advertising/etc. embedded. Google recognises you from your device fingerprint that was added to your analytics profile in step 1, so it doesn’t matter that you’ve signed out of your account – Google still knows that you’re the same person that was using the TV earlier.

Of course, these are all personal choices I have made…….

Honestly, it’s not your fault – it’s close to impossible and certainly unreasonable for any individual user to avoid being tracked by Google and Facebook. You can limit what they know by using a non-Chrome browser and blocking analytics with uBlock Origin (this will stop websites you visit beings added to your analytics profiles), but it’s never going to stop everything. The only thing that can stop it for good is international regulation, but that’s never going to happen.

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Cybertooth

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The only thing that can stop it for good is international regulation, but that’s never going to happen.

Now that would be truly wonderful!!!  ; )

thank you for your feedback.

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One more comment.  I just updated to IOS17 and this, IMHO, is a positive improvement.  In Safari –  Tap Advanced, then “Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection.” Toggle on “All Browsing.”  URLs opened in Safari will strip any tracking information at the end of a URL.

There are also some other settings/updates in IOS17 that folks should at least be aware – some security, some features and nice-to-haves.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/09/ios-17-review-standby-for-more-features/

https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-17-things-to-do-first/

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