How does Google track me?

Google’s technologies are intensifying surveillance. Google’s software—such as Google Search, Maps and health apps that are automatically pre-installed on android mobile phones—and hardware, such as Google Pixel devices (mobile phones, laptops, tablets), Google Nest smart home products (voice assistant, doorbell, etc.), and activity trackers (E.g., Fitbit) are all technologies of surveillance. These generate enormous amounts of user data that can be used to track, monitor, and make predictions about people. Google keeps all Search and location history unless deleted.

The exact nature of Google’s relationship with police and governments is dependent on local laws. In Australia, Google is likely to share your data with authorities: in 2022 Google complied with 87% of Australian authorities’ requests to disclose user information – 5525 accounts (Google Transparency Report 2022). However, there is no guarantee that these ‘authorities’ are police or even government agencies. Access to metadata by ‘authorities’ has previously included:

“councils, Centrelink, the RSPCA, Harness Racing NSW and the Victorian Taxi Services Commission. Most infamously, Wyndham Council applied for 18 authorisations in the past 12 months to chase people for unauthorised advertising, unregistered pets and illegal littering”
(Telecommunications Amendment Bill 2015).