GOOGLE’S TRACKING FOLLOWS YOU MORE THAN YOU KNOW

Trying to avoid detection by Google is pretty much hopeless when you’re online because of the search giant’s vast abilities to compile data, according to new research.

An inactive smartphone running Google’s Android operating system with its Chrome browser open transmits information to the technology company’s servers as frequently as 14 times an hour, found the study led by Vanderbilt University computer science professor Douglas Schmidt.

In addition, even though not using Google’s devices or services curbs its data collecting, the prevalence of the company’s advertising network makes preventing it from compiling some information an uphill battle, the study published Tuesday found.

“These products are able to collect user data through a variety of techniques that may not be easily graspable by a general user,” Schmidt wrote. “A major part of Google’s data collection occurs while a user is not directly engaged in any of its products.”

Google’s means of collecting data involves services including Maps, Hangout chat and YouTube, along with its DoubleClick Ad Network, according to the study, which was sponsored by Digital Content Next, a lobbying group that represents digital publishers.

Two-thirds of the data Google compiled during a 24-hour mock period was not volunteered, Schmidt found. The research also detected evidence of Google having the means to link anonymous information with data from consumers’ accounts when they weren’t signed in or were in a private browser mode — called “incognito mode” — on the company’s Chrome browser.

The findings follow an Associated Press investigation that found turning off the “location history” setting did not halt all location data collecting.



UPCOMING EVENTS

PLAQUE DEDICATION IN CROSSVILLE TO HONOR LATE METEROLOGIST STEVE NORRIS2024fri03may10:00 am10:00 am

RIDE FOR LIFE AND ANTIQUE CAR SHOW FUNDRAISER IN CROSSVILLE2024sat04may8:30 am8:30 am

PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION SET FOR MAY 6, 2024 IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY2024mon06may7:00 am7:00 am

COMMODITIES DISTRIBUTION IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY MAY 14, 20242024tue14may9:00 am9:00 am

CONTACT INFORMATION

3B Media
105.7 The HOG / Spirit 101.9/ 93.3 The Ranch
94.1 The VIBE / 98.9 The WOLF
37 South Drive
Crossville, TN 38555

Phone: 931-484-1057
Fax: 931-707-0580