Yes, Google came out tops recently in a study of how many data points per user is tracked. This app (Linux for now) goes some way to also helping to make that audible.
GoogleTeller makes a short “blip” sound each time your data is sent to one of Google’s public IP addresses.
Some context is needed, though: If you have predictive search on for Google Search, it does have to send every keystroke through as you type in their search bar. Also, whilst scrolling on many sites, the data being sent to Google, is likely from the site owner making use of Google AdSense or similar product for analytics. Where you pause or click on a webpage (or Facebook owned site), is terribly valuable to advertisers.
It is all about this metadata that gets collected to map out patterns of behaviour, to “better serve you with personalised adverts that may interest you”. And of course it pays for the websites, so you don’t have to pay (with money, that is).
GoogleTeller works for now on Linux, but for Firefox users there is a new extension on Github at rugk/googerteller that will probably work cross-platform.
But consider it more of a fun project, than something serious, as the specific Google IP addresses may also be used for other purposes.
See https://lifehacker.com/this-free-app-alerts-you-whenever-google-collects-your-1849453277
#technology #tracking #googleteller #privacy #opensource