I'm just going to go down the list of what I've done to make my Google Account a little better. Disclaimer: I have heard Google asking for ID but this has never happened to me. What may work for me may not work for you. Name: Unless you need this for professional work then don't put your real name. Also tutanota and protonmail emails have become more common (especially in Technology fields) so they should be considered "professional." Birthday: Also not your real one, but still easy to remember in case Google ever asks for verification this way. Gender: Doesn't really matter. Enable 2FA (less privacy and more security). Instead of google authenticator, use Aegis for Android or Raivo for iOS. Data and Privacy In history settings, clear and pause all three settings (web activity, location activity, and Youtube History). Turn off ad personalization (clear history if possible). Turn off personal results in search (in case you really need to Google something and Brave Search, Startpage, DDG, Searx, Metager, Kagi, etc. doesn't work somehow and Google does. I'm assuming you can do Google Fit privacy settings if you need to. Turn off location sharing. Limit the number of third party apps that want access to your account. Security Turn off enhanced safe browsing, just in case And yeah that should be pretty substantial. Answer from Tosonana on reddit.com
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Google Safety Center
safety.google › intl › en_sg › settings › privacy-settings
Data privacy settings, controls and tools – Google Safety Centre
To help you manage your privacy, we've created easy-to-use tools like dashboard, My Activity, history settings and My Ad Centre. These tools provide you with transparency and control over the data that's collected and used to make Google services ...
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Google Support
support.google.com › android › answer › 13985942
Learn about Android security & privacy settings - Android Help
For privacy settings: Tap Settings Privacy for privacy settings. App security: Gives you warnings from Google Play Protect.
Discussions

Best general privacy settings for a google account?
I'm just going to go down the list of what I've done to make my Google Account a little better. Disclaimer: I have heard Google asking for ID but this has never happened to me. What may work for me may not work for you. Name: Unless you need this for professional work then don't put your real name. Also tutanota and protonmail emails have become more common (especially in Technology fields) so they should be considered "professional." Birthday: Also not your real one, but still easy to remember in case Google ever asks for verification this way. Gender: Doesn't really matter. Enable 2FA (less privacy and more security). Instead of google authenticator, use Aegis for Android or Raivo for iOS. Data and Privacy In history settings, clear and pause all three settings (web activity, location activity, and Youtube History). Turn off ad personalization (clear history if possible). Turn off personal results in search (in case you really need to Google something and Brave Search, Startpage, DDG, Searx, Metager, Kagi, etc. doesn't work somehow and Google does. I'm assuming you can do Google Fit privacy settings if you need to. Turn off location sharing. Limit the number of third party apps that want access to your account. Security Turn off enhanced safe browsing, just in case And yeah that should be pretty substantial. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/privacy
6
5
July 13, 2022
Google and privacy
Yes Google gives you a lot of control over your account IF you go digging around. By default though, Google hoovers up every little tiny piece of information they can get. Since most users simply stick with default settings, that's where the issue is. I will say that it's not entirely Googles fault though. It's half the users fault for their own ignorance of how the service they use works. The other half is Googles fault for taking advantage of the majority of users ignorance. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/privacy
16
17
May 11, 2024
The irony of Google Chrome giving you more control over your privacy..
I would NEVER understand why would privacy - savvy people use chrome, or gmail for that mattet. You’re handing over everything. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/privacy
37
207
March 6, 2025
Is there a way to optimise privacy for Gmail users
Of course. Ignore the one-size-fits-all model people love here. Obviously using Gmail won’t be as private as an encrypted service, but depending on your threat model, those services can offer only a marginal benefit. Here’s how to optimize: Go in your Google account settings and turn off all the privacy/data collection options. Google no longer scans email content for ads, and it doesn’t allow advertisers to send targeted ads using data from Gmail. However, those other options are how they monetize your data. Use a third party app, like Apple Mail or Thunderbird and login go Gmail from there. Google apps collect a ridiculous amount of data, so using a non-Google app separates you from that while still letting you use the service. These apps can also block trackers that are embedded in messages. If you ever sign into Gmail from a browser, avoid doing so in a browser you use for other purposes. Or sign out and delete cookies before and after using Gmail. Use iCloud private relay or a vpn when signed into Google via the Web. The cookies and identifiers will track you across apps and devices. If you can get away with it, use ProtonMail and log into Gmail from there. The catch is you can’t send messages, but you can read them. I’d recommend this overall because email is not private, by design. Good luck! More on reddit.com
🌐 r/privacy
24
17
April 15, 2024
People also ask

What privacy settings should I use for Microsoft?

You should turn off the following Microsoft privacy settings if you want to keep your personal information and searches private:

  • Let apps use my advertising ID for experience across apps
  • Location
  • Let apps use my camera
  • Let apps use my microphone

Also, disable the Speech and Inking & typing personalization settings. 

The Communicate with unpaired devices (or Synced devices) setting in the Other devices tab should also be turned off, as it leaves a potential entry point for hackers who are within wireless range of the device.

Additionally, since a VPN encrypts data, security-minded users purchase a subscription to one for an extra layer of privacy.

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allaboutcookies.org
allaboutcookies.org › online privacy › how to change your privacy settings for a safer online experience
How To Change Your Privacy Settings for a Safer Online Experience
What privacy settings should I have on my iPhone?

If you would rather Apple not track your data, you want to turn off:

  • Location tracking
  • iPhone analytics
  • Ad tracking
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allaboutcookies.org
allaboutcookies.org › online privacy › how to change your privacy settings for a safer online experience
How To Change Your Privacy Settings for a Safer Online Experience
How do I stop Google from sharing my searches?

You can stop Google from sharing your searches by going to myactivity.google.com and turning off Web & App Activity.

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allaboutcookies.org
allaboutcookies.org › online privacy › how to change your privacy settings for a safer online experience
How To Change Your Privacy Settings for a Safer Online Experience
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Consumer Reports
consumerreports.org › electronics & computers › computers & internet › google privacy settings you should change right now
Google Privacy Settings You Should Change Right Now via @ConsumerReports
January 28, 2025 - You’ll find granular details about your activity on Search, Chrome, Android, Google Assistant, and more, including details such as your location, websites you’ve gone to, and the apps you’ve used on your phone, along with exact timestamps for all this behavior. ... The Web & App Activity control is the company’s most powerful privacy setting, and it does a lot more than you might think.
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PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › how-to › security
How to Manage Your Google Privacy Settings | PCMag
July 7, 2021 - Back at the My Account page, under Privacy suggestions available, click Review Suggestions to start a multi-step Privacy Checkup that lets you review how Google uses your data. There are suggestions at the top of the page, but scroll down to ...
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Google
policies.google.com › technologies › product-privacy
Google Product Privacy Guide – Privacy & Terms – Google
Configure member identity settings · Delete a post you authored · Delete, reset or disable a group · How Gmail ads work · Choose whether to show images · Compromised Gmail account · Delete or restore your Gmail account · Gmail security checklist · Turn Hangout history on or off · Delete your Hangout message history · Change my status and profile picture · Control how people get in touch with you · Choose your privacy settings ·
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/privacy › best general privacy settings for a google account?
r/privacy on Reddit: Best general privacy settings for a google account?
July 13, 2022 -

I will almost definitely need to use google at some point so I am wondering what are the best general privacy settings for my google account?

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Mashable
mashable.com › home › tech › tech industry
7 Google privacy settings you should enable now | Mashable
Hover your mouse over the icon next to each personal factoid and, when appropriate, change the setting to "Hidden from other users." Has all this made you feel better about your Google Account?
Published   2 days ago
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All About Cookies
allaboutcookies.org › online privacy › how to change your privacy settings for a safer online experience
How To Change Your Privacy Settings for a Safer Online Experience
Scroll through the settings and click Pause on anything you don’t want Google to track. ... Double-check all your settings As a recommendation, you may want to turn off all tracking settings and pause all privacy options for optimal security.
Published   November 6, 2025
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Google Safety Center
safety.google › intl › en_in
Online Security & Privacy - Google Safety Centre
That’s why we uphold responsible data practices in everything we build—like never selling your personal information, to anyone. And with easy-to-use tools, you can choose the privacy settings that are right for you. ... All Google products are secure by default.
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Google Account
myaccount.google.com › intro › privacycheckup
Privacy Checkup
Signing in to your Google Account is the best way to access and control privacy settings and personalize your Google experience.
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Google Support
support.google.com › accounts › answer › 3118621
Manage your Google Settings - Google Account Help
Security & sign-in Use settings and recommendations to help keep your account secure. Learn how to make your account more secure. Password Manager Find and manage the passwords saved to your Google Account. Learn how to save, manage & protect your passwords. Your devices See devices where you're signed in to your Google Account. Learn how to keep track of devices with account access. Data & privacy ...
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Android
android.com › intl › en_us › safety › privacy
Android privacy settings and permissions | Android
Android minimizes and de-identifies your data from intelligent features. And restricts access to technically ensure your privacy and safety. ... Choose phones from your favorite brands, all with helpful features from Google.
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Google Support
support.google.com › accounts › answer › 6304920
Control what others see about you across Google services - Computer - Google Account Help
You can make some information on your Google Account private or visible to anyone. That way, you’re in control of who views info like your birthday or phone number across Google services. Choose what
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Google
policies.google.com › privacy
Privacy & Terms
And you can use many Google services when you are signed out or without creating an account at all, like searching on Google or watching YouTube videos. You can also choose to browse the web in a private mode, like Chrome Incognito mode, which helps keep your browsing private from other people who use your device. And across our services, you can adjust your privacy settings to control whether we collect some types of data and how we use it.
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Google Safety Center
safety.google › intl › en_in › products › chrome
Chrome Privacy & Security Settings - Google Safety Centre
From a personalised feed to convenient password management to relevant search results, your Chrome experience can be tailored to you. Customise your experience with sync and Chrome’s privacy controls, including controlling website permissions, like access to your location or camera.
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Google Safety Center
safety.google › intl › en_sg › settings
Easy-to-use privacy and security settings – Google Safety Centre
That's why we build controls that are easy to use, so that you can choose the privacy settings that are right for you. ... Your personal information is automatically protected by one of the world's most advanced security infrastructures. And it's easy to take advantage of additional safety features with tools like Security Check-Up and passkeys. ... You can customise the ads that you see on Google services – like YouTube and Search – and control the info that's used to personalise them.
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Google Account
myaccount.google.com › delete-services-or-account
Data & privacy
When you aren’t signed in, some information about your Google activity is saved in a cookie or similar technology on your device to help Google work better for you. Learn more about cookies. You can use the tools below to manage your experience on this device. ... When this setting is on, Google uses searches from this browser to give you more relevant results and recommendations
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Google
google.com › account › about
Learn More About Google's Secure and Protected Accounts - Google
Your Google Account makes every service you use personalized to you. Just sign into your account to access your preferences, privacy and personalization controls from any device. ... You’re never more than a tap away from your data and settings.