Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last modified: March 11, 2009 ( view archived versions ) Last modified: March 11, 2009 (view archived versions)

At Google we recognize that privacy is important. At Google we recognize that privacy is important. This Privacy Policy applies to all of the products, services and websites offered by Google Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliated companies except DoubleClick ( DoubleClick Privacy Policy ) and Postini ( Postini Privacy Policy ); collectively, Google’s “services.” In addition, where more detailed information is needed to explain our privacy practices, we post supplementary privacy notices to describe how particular services process personal information . This Privacy Policy applies to all of the products, services and websites offered by Google Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliated companies except DoubleClick (DoubleClick Privacy Policy) and Postini (Postini Privacy Policy), collectively, Google's "services." In addition , where more detailed information is needed to explain our privacy practices, we post supplementary privacy notices to describe how particular services process personal information. These notices can be found in the Google Privacy Center . These notices can be found in the Google Privacy Center.

Google adheres to the US Safe Harbor Privacy Principles of Notice, Choice, Onward Transfer, Security, Data Integrity, Access and Enforcement, and is registered with the US Department of Commerce’s Safe Harbor Program . Google adhere to the U.S. Safe Harbor Privacy Principles of Notice, Choice, Onward Transfer, Security, Data Integrity, Access and Enforcement, and is registered with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Safe Harbor Program.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please feel free to contact us through our website or write to us at If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please feel free to contact us through our website or write to us at
Privacy Matters Privacy Matters
c/o Google Inc. c / o Google Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway 1600 Amphitheater Parkway
Mountain View, California, 94043 Mountain View, California, 94043
USA USA
Information we collect and how we use it Information we collect and how we use it

We offer a number of services that do not require you to register for an account or provide any personal information to us, such as Google Search. We offer a number of services that do not require you to register for an account or provide any personal information to us, such as Google Search. In order to provide our full range of services, we may collect the following types of information: In order to provide our full range of services, we may collect the following types of information:

* Information you provide – When you sign up for a Google Account or other Google service or promotion that requires registration, we ask you for personal information (such as your name, email address and an account password). Information you provide - When you sign up for a Google Account or other Google service or promotion that requires registration, we ask you for personal information (such as your name, email address and an account password). For certain services, such as our advertising programs, we also request credit card or other payment account information which we maintain in encrypted form on secure servers. For certain services, such as our advertising programs, we also request credit card or other payment account information which we maintain in encrypted form on secure servers. We may combine the information you submit under your account with information from other Google services or third parties in order to provide you with a better experience and to improve the quality of our services. We may combine the information you submit under your account with information from other Google services or third parties in order to provide you with a better experience and to improve the quality of our services. For certain services, we may give you the opportunity to opt out of combining such information. For certain services, we may give you the opportunity to opt out of combining such information.
* Cookies – When you visit Google, we send one or more cookies – a small file containing a string of characters – to your computer or other device that uniquely identifies your browser. Cookies - When you visit Google, we send one or more cookies - a small file containing a string of characters - to your computer or other device identifier that uniquely your browser. We use cookies to improve the quality of our service, including for storing user preferences, improving search results and ad selection, and tracking user trends, such as how people search. We use cookies to improve the quality of our service, including for storing user preferences, improving search results and ad selection, and tracking user trends, such as how people search. Google also uses cookies in its advertising services to help advertisers and publishers serve and manage ads across the web. Google also uses cookies in its advertising services to help Advertisers and publishers serve and manage ads across the web. We may set one or more cookies in your browser when you visit a website, including Google sites that use our advertising cookies, and view or click on an ad supported by Google’s advertising services. We may set one or more cookies in your browser when you visit the website, including sites that use our Google advertising cookies, and view or click on an ad supported by Google's advertising services.
* Log information – When you access Google services, our servers automatically record information that your browser sends whenever you visit a website. Log information - When you access Google services, our servers automatically record information that your browser sends Whenever you visit a website. These server logs may include information such as your web request, Internet Protocol address, browser type, browser language, the date and time of your request and one or more cookies that may uniquely identify your browser. These server logs may include information such as your web request, Internet Protocol address, browser type, browser language, the date and time of your request and one or more cookies that may uniquely identify your browser.
* User communications – When you send email or other communications to Google, we may retain those communications in order to process your inquiries, respond to your requests and improve our services. User communications - When you send email or other communications to Google, we may retain those communications in order to process your inquiries, respond to your requests and improve our services.
* Affiliated Google Services on other sites – We offer some of our services on or through other web sites. Affiliated Google Services on other sites - We offer some of our services on or through other web sites. Personal information that you provide to those sites may be sent to Google in order to deliver the service. Personal information that you provide to those sites may be sent to Google in order to deliver the service. We process such information under this Privacy Policy. We process such information under this Privacy Policy. The affiliated sites through which our services are offered may have different privacy practices and we encourage you to read their privacy policies. The affiliated sites through which our services are offered may have different privacy practices and we encourage you to read their privacy policies.
* Gadgets – Google may make available third party applications through its services. Gadgets - Google may make third party applications available through its services. The information collected by Google when you enable a gadget or other application is processed under this Privacy Policy. Information collected by the application or gadget provider is governed by their privacy policies. The information collected by Google when you enable a gadget or other application is processed under this Privacy Policy. Information collected by the application provider or gadget is governed by their privacy policies.
* Location data – Google offers location-enabled services, such as Google Maps for mobile. Location date - Google offers location-enabled services, such as Google Maps for mobile. If you use those services, Google may receive information about your actual location (such as GPS signals sent by a mobile device) or information that can be used to approximate a location (such as a cell ID). If you use those services, Google may receive information about your current location (such as GPS signals sent by a mobile device) or information that can be used to approximate the location (such as a cell ID).
* Links – Google may present links in a format that enables us to keep track of whether these links have been followed. Links - Google may present links in a format that enables us to keep track of whether these links have been followed. We use this information to improve the quality of our search technology, customized content and advertising. We use this information to improve the quality of our search technology, customized content and advertising. Read more information about links and redirected URLs . Read more information about links and redirected URLs.
* Other sites – This Privacy Policy applies to Google services only. Other sites - This Privacy Policy applies to Google services only. We do not exercise control over the sites displayed as search results, sites that include Google applications, products or services, or links from within our various services. We do not exercise control over the sites displayed the search results, sites that include Google applications, products or services, or links from within our various services. These other sites may place their own cookies or other files on your computer, collect data or solicit personal information from you. These other sites may place their own cookies or other files on your computer, collect data or requests personal information from you.

Google only processes personal information for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy and/or the supplementary privacy notices for specific services. Google only processes personal information for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy and / or the supplementary privacy notices for specific services. In addition to the above, such purposes include: In addition to the above, such purposes include:

* Providing our services, including the display of customized content and advertising; Providing our services, including the display of customized content and advertising;
* Auditing, research and analysis in order to maintain, protect and improve our services; Auditing, research and analysis in order to maintain, protect and improve our services;
* Ensuring the technical functioning of our network; Ensuring the technical functioning of our network;
* Protecting the rights or property of Google or our users; and Protecting the rights or property of our users or Google, and
* Developing new services. Developing new services.

You can find more information about how we process personal information by referring to the supplementary privacy notices for particular services. You can find more information about how we process personal information by referring to the supplementary privacy notices for particular services.

Google processes personal information on our servers in the United States of America and in other countries. Google processes personal information on our servers in the United States of America and in other countries. In some cases, we process personal information on a server outside your own country. In some cases, we process personal information on a server outside your own country. We may process personal information to provide our own services. We may process personal information to provide our own services. In some cases, we may process personal information on behalf of and according to the instructions of a third party, such as our advertising partners. In some cases, we may process personal information on behalf of and according to the instructions of a third party, such as our advertising partners.
Choices for personal information Choices for personal information

When you sign up for a particular service that requires registration, we ask you to provide personal information. When you sign up for a particular service that requires registration, we ask you to provide personal information. If we use this information in a manner different than the purpose for which it was collected, then we will ask for your consent prior to such use. If we use this information in a manner different than the purpose for which it was collected, then we will ask for your consent prior to such use.

If we propose to use personal information for any purposes other than those described in this Privacy Policy and/or in the specific service privacy notices, we will offer you an effective way to opt out of the use of personal information for those other purposes. If we propose to use personal information for any purposes other than those described in this Privacy Policy and / or in the specific service privacy notices, we will offer you an effective way to opt out of the use of personal information for those other purposes. We will not collect or use sensitive information for purposes other than those described in this Privacy Policy and/or in the supplementary service privacy notices, unless we have obtained your prior consent. We will not collect or use sensitive information for purposes other than those described in this Privacy Policy and / or in the supplementary service privacy notices, unless we have obtained your prior consent.

Most browsers are initially set up to accept cookies, but you can reset your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. Most browsers are initially set up to accept cookies, but you can reset your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, some Google features and services may not function properly if your cookies are disabled. However, some Google features and services may not function properly if your cookies are disabled.

Google uses the DoubleClick advertising cookie on AdSense partner sites and certain Google services to help advertisers and publishers serve and manage ads across the web. Google uses the DoubleClick advertising cookie on AdSense partner sites and certain Google services to help Advertisers and publishers serve and manage ads across the web. You can view, edit, and manage your ads preferences associated with this cookie by accessing the Ads Preferences Manager . You can view, edit, and manage your ads associated with this cookie preferences by accessing the Preferences Ads Manager. In addition, you may choose to opt out of the DoubleClick cookie at any time by using DoubleClick’s opt-out cookie . In addition, you may choose to opt out of the DoubleClick cookie at any time by using DoubleClick's opt-out cookie.

You can decline to submit personal information to any of our services, in which case Google may not be able to provide those services to you. You can decline to submit personal information to any of our services, in which case Google may not be able to provide those services to you.
Information sharing Information sharing

Google only shares personal information with other companies or individuals outside of Google in the following limited circumstances: Google only shares personal information with other companies or individuals outside of Google in the following limited circumstances:

* We have your consent. We have your consent. We require opt-in consent for the sharing of any sensitive personal information. We require opt-in consent for the sharing of any sensitive personal information.
* We provide such information to our subsidiaries, affiliated companies or other trusted businesses or persons for the purpose of processing personal information on our behalf. We provide such information to our subsidiaries, affiliated companies or other trusted businesses or persons for the purpose of processing personal information on our behalf. We require that these parties agree to process such information based on our instructions and in compliance with this Privacy Policy and any other appropriate confidentiality and security measures. We require that these parties agree to process such information based on our instructions and in compliance with this Privacy Policy and any other appropriate confidentiality and security measures.
* We have a good faith belief that access, use, preservation or disclosure of such information is reasonably necessary to (a) satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request, (b) enforce applicable Terms of Service, including investigation of potential violations thereof, (c) detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues, or (d) protect against harm to the rights, property or safety of Google, its users or the public as required or permitted by law. We have a good faith belief that access, use, preservation or disclosure of such information is reasonably necessary to (a) satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request, (b) enforce applicable Terms of Service, including investigation of potential violations thereof, (c) detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues, or (d) protect against harm to the rights, property or safety of Google, its users or the public as required or permitted by law.

If Google becomes involved in a merger, acquisition, or any form of sale of some or all of its assets, we will ensure the confidentiality of any personal information involved in such transactions and provide notice before personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy. If Google becomes involved in a merger, acquisition, or any form of sale of some or all of its assets, we will ensure the confidentiality of any personal information involved in such transactions and provide notice before personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

We may share with third parties certain pieces of aggregated, non-personal information , such as the number of users who searched for a particular term, for example, or how many users clicked on a particular advertisement. We may share with third parties certain pieces of aggregated, non-personal information, such as the number of users who searched for a particular term, for example, or how many users clicked on a particular advertisement. Such information does not identify you individually. Such information does not identify you individually.

Please contact us at the address below for any additional questions about the management or use of personal data. Please contact us at the address below for any additional questions about the management or use of personal data.
Information security Information security

We take appropriate security measures to protect against unauthorized access to or unauthorized alteration, disclosure or destruction of data. We take appropriate security measures to protect against Unauthorized Unauthorized access to or alteration, disclosure or destruction of data. These include internal reviews of our data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures, as well as physical security measures to guard against unauthorized access to systems where we store personal data. These include internal reviews of our data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures, as well as physical security measures to guard against Unauthorized access to systems where we store personal data.

We restrict access to personal information to Google employees, contractors and agents who need to know that information in order to operate, develop or improve our services. We restrict access to personal information to Google employees, contractors and agents who need to know that information in order to operate, develop or improve our services. These individuals are bound by confidentiality obligations and may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations. These individuals are bound by confidentiality obligations and may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations.
Data integrity Data integrity

Google processes personal information only for the purposes for which it was collected and in accordance with this Privacy Policy or any applicable service-specific privacy notice. Google processes personal information only for the purposes for which it was collected and in accordance with this Privacy Policy or any applicable service-specific privacy notice. We review our data collection, storage and processing practices to ensure that we only collect, store and process the personal information needed to provide or improve our services or as otherwise permitted under this Policy. We review our data collection, storage and processing practices to ensure that we only collect, store and process the personal information needed to provide or improve our services or those otherwise permitted under this Policy. We take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we process is accurate, complete, and current, but we depend on our users to update or correct their personal information whenever necessary. We take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we process is accurate, complete, and current, but we depend on our users to update or correct their personal information Whenever necessary.
Accessing and updating personal information Accessing and updating personal information

When you use Google services, we make good faith efforts to provide you with access to your personal information and either to correct this data if it is inaccurate or to delete such data at your request if it is not otherwise required to be retained by law or for legitimate business purposes. When you use Google services, we make good faith efforts to provide you with access to your personal information and either to correct this data if it is inaccurate or to delete such data at your request if it is not otherwise required to be retained by law or for legitimate business purposes. We ask individual users to identify themselves and the information requested to be accessed, corrected or removed before processing such requests, and we may decline to process requests that are unreasonably repetitive or systematic, require disproportionate technical effort, jeopardize the privacy of others, or would be extremely impractical (for instance, requests concerning information residing on backup tapes), or for which access is not otherwise required. We ask individual users to identify themselves and the information requested to be accessed, corrected or removed before processing such requests, and we may decline to process requests that are unreasonably repetitive or systematic, require disproportionate technical effort, jeopardize the privacy of others, or would be extremely impractical (for instance, requests concerning information residing on backup tapes), or for which access is not otherwise required. In any case where we provide information access and correction, we perform this service free of charge, except if doing so would require a disproportionate effort. In any case where we provide information access and correction, we perform this service free of charge, except if doing so would require a disproportionate effort. Some of our services have different procedures to access, correct or delete users’ personal information. Some of our services have different procedures to access, correct or delete users' personal information. We provide the details for these procedures in the specific privacy notices or FAQs for these services. We provide the details for these procedures in the specific privacy notices or FAQs for these services.
Enforcement Enforcement

Google regularly reviews its compliance with this Privacy Policy. Google regularly reviews its compliance with this Privacy Policy. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or Google’s treatment of personal information by contacting us through this web site or by writing to us at Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or Google's treatment of personal information by contacting us through this web site or by writing to us at
Privacy Matters Privacy Matters
c/o Google Inc. c / o Google Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway 1600 Amphitheater Parkway
Mountain View, California, 94043 Mountain View, California, 94043
USA USA

When we receive formal written complaints at this address, it is Google’s policy to contact the complaining user regarding his or her concerns. When we receive formal written complaints at this address, it is Google's policy to contact the complaining user regarding his or her concerns. We will cooperate with the appropriate regulatory authorities, including local data protection authorities, to resolve any complaints regarding the transfer of personal data that cannot be resolved between Google and an individual. We will be cooperative with the appropriate regulatory authorities, including local data protection authorities, to resolve any complaints regarding the transfer of personal data that can not be resolved between Google and an individual.
Changes to this Privacy Policy Changes to this Privacy Policy

Please note that this Privacy Policy may change from time to time. Please note that this Privacy Policy may change from time to time. We will not reduce your rights under this Privacy Policy without your explicit consent, and we expect most such changes will be minor. We will not reduce your rights under this Privacy Policy without your explicit consent, and we expect most such changes will be minor. Regardless, we will post any Privacy Policy changes on this page and, if the changes are significant, we will provide a more prominent notice (including, for certain services, email notification of Privacy Policy changes). Regardless, we will post any Privacy Policy changes on this page and, if the changes are significant, we will provide a more prominent notice (including, for certain services, email notification of Privacy Policy changes). Each version of this Privacy Policy will be identified at the top of the page by its effective date, and we will also keep prior versions of this Privacy Policy in an archive for your review. Each version of this Privacy Policy will be identified at the top of the page by its effective date, and we