privacy-settings/Privacy Settings/Google-Account.md

Google Account Privacy Settings

Login to Google Account from browser.

Personal info

Choose what others see

Basic info

• Profile Picture > Remove > Remove
• Profile Picture > click on 3 dots on top right > Past profile pictures > Profile Photos > select each photo > click on 3 dots on top right > Delete photo > Delete
• Gender: Only you
• Birthday: Only you (Provide false info if you can)

About

Remove everything

Work & education

Remove everything

Data & privacy

History settings

Web & App Activity

• Off > Pause
• Manage Activity > Delete any past activity

Location History

• Off > Pause
• Auto Delete > Auto-delete activity older than > 3 months

Youtube History

• Off (Turning it off will not save your future watch and search history. If you want it don't change the setting.)
• Manage Activity > Delete any past activity

Ad settings

Ad personalization

• Off > Turn off

Personal results in search

• Show personal results: Off

Data from apps and services you use

Third-party apps with account access

Remove anything you don't use

Security

Signing in to Google

To setup 2FA, first a phone needs to be added.

• 2-Step Verification > Get Started > Continue > Use Another Backup Option > Download the backup codes > Next > Turn On

Once the above step is completed,

• Authenticator app: Set Up > Next > Scan the barcode using an authenticator app > Enter 6 digit code > Verify

NOTE 1: Don't use Google Authenticator as mentioned there. Instead use a privacy respecting authenticator app. Check out recommendations, alternatives & reviews.

NOTE 2: The backup codes downloaded in the first step is required to login, if 2FA method is lost, broken or unavailable. Keep these codes somewhere safe, to prevent loss or unauthorised access. They can be stored in a password manager, in an encrypted note, or write them down somewhere safe.

Your devices

• Manage devices > Remove any device you don't use anymore

People & sharing

Location sharing

• Manage location sharing: Off (unless you want to share it with someone)

Business features

• Business personalization: Off

Share recommendations in ads

• Shared endorsements in ads > Off

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• Go to Google Dashboard and check all services you use.
• Go to Google Takeout and download your data that Google has collected about you. Uncheck Drive & Gmail or else it will result in a huge file size.
• Go to Google Activity and delete/manage every activity you can.