In a bid to strengthen the user’s privacy on shared devices, Google has rolled a new privacy update. As per the new security setting Google now enables users to protect the activity history of their account with a password. So when you enable the password no one can see your search history, Youtube Watch history as well as Google assistant queries on all your devices.
First spotted by Android Police, Google will allow you to password protect all your Google accounts My Activity history across your devices. This is much-needed functionality in today’s time that will allow you to keep your private and sensitive data safe with an additional layer of security.
“If you turn on extra verification Google will make sure it’s really you before you can see or delete your full history on My Activity. This can help keep your history safer on shared devices. This setting only applies to My Activity. Your history may still appear in other Google products,” the Google update noted.
For the user to enable this feature, Google will ask to review your identification before allowing you to view your search history. The user will be directed to a regular Google sign-in page on which you are required to enter your password else you have to connect to your Android device ever you’ve set that up. This functionality will be helpful when you have handed over your Android smartphone to someone else or have left your computer or laptop unlocked. However, there is also an option to delete your saved history from the Activity control setting but password protection adds an extra layer of protection just in case you forget to delete your history.
How to set up?
To set up this feature all you need to do is go to the ‘Manage My Activity’ verification link from your device and select the ‘Require Extra Verification’ option. Now Save the settings and enter your password. Now Google will ask you to verify your identity before showing your activity page. Like said before it will take you to the regular Google sign-in page to enter the password or verify through a connected Android device it’s that easy. So if you are uncomfortable with your activity history being viewed by someone else or being saved on your device you can now either opt for password protection or delete it and control your detailed history in your Activity Control settings.
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