We leave a huge digital footprint on the network, so much so that sometimes it is convenient to erase the large amount of data that we have left behind. Below we show you step by step how to delete Google and Internet history , in case one day you consider it appropriate to disappear from the great network of networks.
There are many reasons why a person may want to erase their digital footprint, such as exercising their right to be forgotten (Habeas data), thus preserving the protection of their personal data as well as their right to honour, privacy and image. Another reason is to prevent bank details, which are also recorded in our activity, from falling into the wrong hands.
How to delete Google history
Google history is a list that we can access and that contains our browsing data and use of Google applications, be it YouTube, Chrome, Gmail or Maps . Therefore, it is not only about the web pages you visit, but also about the emails you send or the locations where you have been, among many other things.
1. Access your account
In order to delete the history, we enter the main page of our personal Google account. Next, we go to the My Activity page through the account settings.
Once here, we can see all the activity that we have left on the networkin case we have navigated with our Google account. It should be noted that many users use the Chrome browser and believe that it is enough to delete the history of visits. We should not confuse this list with Google’s general activity history.
2. Manage your activity
Once in the activity list, we check that the record of all applications appears. We can visualize it in two ways: grouped view or element view , which we can select in the three vertical points at the top.
3. Clear history
To delete each record manually, click on the three vertical points of each element and select delete. If, on the other hand, you want to delete the history of all your activity so as not to leave a trace, select “Delete activity by” and select “Since always” in the “Delete by date” tab . Make sure you have selected “All products” in the bottom tab.
Other options
Of course, we can manage many more aspects of our account. We review those related to the control of personal data.
1. Save history
Google history can be saved at any time to a file. To do so, we log in with our Google account and follow these steps: Personal information and privacy > Control your content > Download or transfer your content > Create archive. Then a file will be downloaded that you must keep safe.
2. Disappear in Google after death
An application called Inactive Accounts Manager is now availablethat allows you to manage these cases. In the event that we remain inactive for a while, the company will proceed immediately to delete our data. Through this tool, we can also give permission to a lawyer to manage our emails or manage family members’ access to accounts.
Delete my Internet registration
At this point you may be wondering if deleting your activity on Google is not enough. Of course, our digital footprint is not only limited to the applications of the technological giant, but also to the profiles on social networks and information about us that may have been shared on other websites.
When it comes to social networks, the choice is in our hands. All we have to do is access our account settings and delete the profile. When it comes to information about us on search engines like Google, things change slightly.
What is the right to be forgotten
The right to be forgotten determines that a person can erase her past on the network if he has reasons to do so. According to European legislation established in 2014, Google has the obligation to delete links that violate the rights of a citizen (honour, privacy and image).
How can exercise
Google has its own form for any user who wants to exercise this right. The same happens with other search engines such as Bing or Yahoo
. Each of the requests will be assessed individually by those responsible for Google, who will determine whether the deletion is carried out or not. In this sense, each request is assessed by a committee of experts. If our request is denied, the affected party may take legal action.
What criteria does the Palo Alto company follow to determine if the user can exercise their right to be forgotten
? Google evaluates if the request is duly completed, if it is legal, if it is legitimate and, ultimately, if the data analyzed is inadequate, irrelevant , relevant or exaggeration.
Every year thousands of requests are processed and it is estimated that Google has accepted 38% of them , so it is a right available to anyone who wishes to exercise it.
