User:Heswick/sandbox

Based in Mountain View, California Google Inc. provides a variety of products and services. Simply by using the services offered by Google users are agreeing upon the company’s terms and conditions. Due to the diverse nature of its services, Google users often have to agree upon additional terms and/or product requirements such as age verification. The additional terms and conditions will vary upon the relevant service agreements that the users takes advantage of.

While using Google services the users are required to follow the policies made available through the service. Users are not to misuse any services and are expected to use the services as intended to be used. Google services are to be used in accordance with the laws and regulations, and any violations of policy will result in the suspension or even termination of service. Content accessed through Google services does not provide the user with ownership of any intellectual property rights, unless authorized by the owner or otherwise permitted by law. Not all content displayed by Google services belong to Google, and such content is the sole responsibility of the entity that makes available to the public. Users of Google services may receive service announcements, administrative messages, and other information pertaining to the service. The users have the ability to opt out of any unwarranted communications.

Privacy Policy
Searching, sharing information, communicating with people, and creating user accounts are some services provided by Google. By creating a Google account, users are able to get the most of their services by having access to more relevant search results, ads, and an overall better experience with the enhanced connectivity and sharing features that are quicker and easier. Google informs the users of its policy on using personal information and in ways which the users are able protect their privacy. Google’s Privacy Policy explains:

•	Information collected by Google and why they collect it.

•	How Google uses the information they collect.

•	Transparency and choice.

Information collected by Google and why they collect it
Google collects user information with the intent of providing its users with a better service. It can range from a simple thing such as the preferred language to more complex things such as preferred ads or online connections. Information is collected in two ways:

•	Information given to Google by users: This includes the personal information provided by the user when signing up for a Google account. The information consists of name, email address, telephone number or credit card. Users are able to take full advantage of the services by creating a publicly visible Google profile which includes the users name and photo.

•	Information collected by Google through the use of their services: By using services provided by Google they are able to collect information about how the users use services provided by Google. Examples include when the users visit a website that uses Google ad services or when they view and interact with our ads and content. This information consists of:


 * Device information – Information specific to a device such as hardware model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information including the phone number. Google is also able to associate a user’s phone number or device identifier with his/her Google account.


 * Log information – Google automatically collects and store certain information in their server logs when the users use Google services or view content provided by Google. Examples consists of the details of how the service was used (search queries), telephony log information, IP address, device event information (crashes, system activity, hardware setting, etc…), time of request and referral URL, and cookies that might link the users browser or Google account.


 * Location information – Once enabled Google collects location based information of the user’s actual location through GPS signals sent by a mobile device. Google also might collect information via other technologies such as Wi-Fi access points and cell towers to determine the user location.


 * Unique application numbers – Certain services offered by Google includes a unique application number. When a user installs or uninstalls a service offered by Google, the information gets recorded in servers that automatically update all information for each service.


 * Local storage – Google might collect and store information including personal details on the user’s local device by using browser web storage and application data caches.


 * Cookies and anonymous identifiers – Google employs various methods of collecting and storing data whenever its services are being used. These techniques usually involve sending one or more cookies or anonymous identifiers to the user’s device.

How Google uses the information they collect
Google uses the information collected to provide, maintain, protect, and improve their services while developing new ones, and protecting Google and its users. Google uses the information collected to provide its users with tailored content which will result in more relevant ads and search content. Data will gathered to create a profile that represents the user consistently across all Google services. They will also share publicly visible information such as name and profile picture across all services linked through a Google account under a common email address.

Google might contact users via email to keep them up-to-date about their services and any upcoming changes or improvements. Google also uses information collected by cookies and other technologies such as pixel tags to enhance the overall user experience and the quality of service. For example Google enables users to have their content viewed in their preferred language by saving their preferences. However, Google will not associate or save information based on sensitive information such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or health. Google will not use any personal information not defined by the privacy policy without the users consent. Since Google have servers across the globe, a user’s personal information might get processed on a server that is located outside of the user’s country of residence.

Transparency and choice
Users tend to have a variety of concerns in privacy. Google’s goal is to be precise on what information they gather, so the users can make better choices in terms of how the information is used. Following are some choices made available by Google:

•	Review and control information linked to the account by using Google Dashboard.

•	View and edit ad preferences, such as categories by using the Ads Preferences Manager. Users are also able to opt out of certain Google advertising services here.

•	Using the editor to see and adjust how the Google Profile appears to certain individuals.

•	Controlling who the user shares information with.

•	Take information out by opting out of Google services.