Google’s new privacy policy took effect on March 1, with the aim of making everything much easier to understand by combining policies from over 60 product-specific notices into one complete document.

The privacy policy explains what data Google is collecting from users and how this is being used, using plain language as much as possible.

In simple language, Google can now record literally everything about the user from Google search history to other things like Youtube history and effectively combining the data into one. So from now on, if you’re a fan of a particular singer and you do frequent Youtube searches on this artist, the new privacy policy allows Google to store this particular interest so later on they can suggest you ads targeted towards this particular interest.

Some may see this as a positive development because now they will start receiving more relevant information and ads – however, others are concerned about the amount of data Google has stored on them and how this data is being used.

Google is still keeping its same policies for information shared outside Google. It will also keep the commitment to not sell any personal data and to use the highest level of security possible to make sure this data doesn’t find its way out of Google’s data centres.

You still have the right to turn off the search history and Youtube history, control the way Google tailors ads to your interests and browse the web incognito using Chrome.

You can use services like Search, Maps and Youtube if you are not signed in with your Google account.

A technology enthusiast who has his own blog at www.itnewsblog.com.