Google lets users monitor their online activity

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/google-lets...173433956.html

Google on Wednesday began letting people get monthly reports summarizing
what they have been up to at the Internet titan's free online services.

A freshly-added feature keeps people posted on patterns at Gmail,
YouTube, online search and other Google venues visited while signed into
their user accounts with the California-based company.

"Sometimes it's helpful to step back and take stock of what you're doing
online," Google product manager Andreas Tuerk said in a blog post
announcing the "Account Activity" feature.

"Knowing more about your own account activity also can help you take
steps to protect your Google Account."

He gave an example of a report potentially revealing that someone's
account was signed into from countries they have not visited or from
gadgets they don't own.

Google will incorporate more of its services into Account Activity
reports in coming months, according to Tuerk.

Those who sign up with get password-protected links to reports and tools
to manage account privacy.

The new feature was introduced the same month that Google rolled out a
new privacy policy allowing the firm to track users across various
services to develop targeted advertising, despite criticism from
consumer advocacy groups.

Google contends the move simplifies and unifies its policies across its
various services such as Gmail, YouTube, Android mobile systems, Google+
social network and Internet search.

But critics including European privacy agencies and US consumer
watchdogs argued the new policy, which offers no ability to opt out
aside from refraining from signing into Google services, gives the
Internet giant unprecedented ability to monitor its users. And some say
it violates EU privacy protections.

Google said the changes are designed to improve the user experience
across the various products, and give the firm a more integrated view of
its users, an advantage enjoyed by Apple and Facebook.