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Consumers can request a privacy blur over any pictures of their homes on Google Maps.(Photo: Videoblocks)

I use Google for so many things, from looking things up, handing my email and calendar, video chatting with my team, to peeking in on the Nest cam in my mother's living room. The company provides a slew of really great products. But you have to remember, you are also a product in their profit stream.

Lately, theres been an anti-Google movement with more people interested in options. You can use a different search site that wont track you. There are also private email servers and video sites that arent YouTube. Tap or click here for a list of Google alternatives.

Google Play Music is shutting down, which means all those songs youve gathered over the years could be lost forever.You can transfer your music collection over to YouTube Music and that likely means a paid subscription. If you want control and no monthly fees, set up your own music server. Tap or click here for the steps to set up your own music server on my site.

Here are some ways that Google has control over your data and what you can do about it:

As convenient as Google Maps and Street Viewis are, they can be unnerving when your house and address number are visible to anyone in a photo. You can request a privacy blur over any pictures of your home:

OpenGoogle Mapsor theStreet View galleryand look up your address.

Find and open the Street View photo you want to have blurred. The image has to show your face, home, or other identifying information.

In the bottom right, clickReport a problem. Complete the form.

ClickSubmit.

Once the photo is reported and blurred, theres no way for Google to reverse it. Make sure youre 100% certain about removing the image.

You have a public profile on Amazon:Here are 5 privacy settings every Amazon shopper needs to check now.

Do you use Google Assistant? Its a handy way to set reminders, get quick answers and much more. Google keeps tabs on those interactions with Google Assistant to improve its AI and personalize your account. If this creeps you out, delete those recordings.

Open yourGoogle Accountpage.

From the left navigation panel, click Data & personalization.

In theActivity controlspanel, click Web & App Activity, followed byManage Activity. From this page, youll see a list of your past activity and items with the microphone icon indicate a recording.

Next to the items you want to delete, select thethree-dot iconand thenDelete.

Google uses your search history to build a detailed profile about you that it shares with advertisers. This personalizes the ads and content you see. Its also part of the reason why data is such a big business.Tap or click here to see how much money your data can sell for online. Youll be shocked.

If you want to start removing your information from Google, your search history is where to begin. Heres how you can clear your search history and activity:

Go to myaccount.google.com and log in. Alternatively, go to google.com while logged in and clickthe circle icon in the upper right-hand corner with your image or initials inside. Then clickManage your Google Account.

Click Manage your data & personalization, located underPrivacy & Personalization.

. UndertheActivity controlspanel, you will see checkmarks next toWeb & App activity tracking,Location HistoryandYouTube History. Click each one to adjust your settings. You can toggle them off to stop further tracking.

Below Activity controls, click onMy ActivityunderActivityand timeline.

On the menu that appears in the left sidebar, clickDelete activity by. Select how far back you would like to delete your history in the pop-up menu. ClickDeleteto confirm.

Once youve followed these steps, not only will your search history be gone, but youll also have disabled tracking through apps, location history and YouTube views.

If you use Googles web browser, Chrome, youre also giving the company access to your web history. Go ahead and remove your Chrome browsing data, too.

To get started,open Chrome and click thethree-dot menu.

Hover overHistoryand click Historyat the top of the menu.

ClickClear browsing dataand select your date range for deletion.

From here, you can choose to delete your history, cookies and cache. Select the time range you want to wipe, from the past 24 hours to as early as the beginning of your browsing activity.

If you want to stay on top of information that pops up about you on social media (or the rest of the web), you can set up a free Google Alert for your name. Its an easy way to keep tabs on your online reputation.

Heres how to set up a Google Alert for your name:

VisitGoogle.com/alertsand type what you want Google to alert you about in the search bar.

ClickShow optionsto change settings for frequency, sources, language and region. You can also specify how many results you want and where you want them delivered.

ClickCreate Alert to start receiving alerts on yourself or other search topics that interest you.

What do you do if you want something about you on a website removed? Tap or click here for our step-by-step guide.

Need more help? Get concrete answers from me, along with other tech pros for 30 days for free. Sign up at GetKim.com, no promo code required.

Learn about all the latest technology on theKim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website atKomando.com.

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2020/09/24/5-tips-help-keep-control-private-data-google-platforms/3485556001/

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Blur your home on Maps and erase your data to remove your life from Googles grip - USA TODAY