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Yes, Google Records Voice Searches, But Here's How To Delete Them

It's hardly a secret that Microsoft, Google and Yahoo store typed search queries, each for a specific length of time. So it cannot come as a total surprise that OK Google, Apple Siri, and Cortana do the same for spoken queries. This week, saving data came back into the news when folks realized Google also saves every voice search query.

In fact, Google stores lots of data for you to peruse and reflect on. Stop by the Voice & Audio Activity section of your Google account and you might find a lengthy list of recordings, along with a location-based timeline of your travels.

Users can control what they share with Google. For me, I turn location and voice off. It doesn't mean I don't use the features -- I just do not give Google permission to record them with my identity attached. You can opt to turn off Voice & Audio Activity, but turning Voice Activity off doesn't quite stop Google from storing the recordings. The recordings are stored with an anonymous identifier in which the tech company says it cannot link easily back to accounts.

The first reports of this surfaced in January 2015. Now you can actually log in to see a timeline. Not just of voice searches, but location history too.

Deleting voice searches from the database requires the user to select one or more of the recordings from the check box alongside them and then click "delete" at the top of the screen. Users can do the same with location and query searches. Location History supposedly provides useful information like automatic commute predictions and improved search results by creating a private map of where you go with your logged-in devices.

Google also allows users to share endorsements on Google+ in search results, and control advertisements seen. 

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