Google Dashboard to give data control

Google Dashboard, which can be accessed in the Settings page of your Google Account, will let you quickly view and delete any stored personal data.

The Dashboard provides a summary of the personal data Google stores on a Google Account user across all its products, including Google Mail, Reader and Docs.

Google has faced criticism over the amount of data it holds on internet users and how long it keeps the information for. The company said the Dashboard will bring together this data in one, easy to manage format, giving an "unprecedented level of visibility and control over that data".

Alma Whitten, software engineer on privacy and safety, said: "It's important for people to be aware of what data they have online and to be able to manage that data – Google Dashboard should help to make this a reality."

"We think of this as a great step towards giving people transparency and control over their data, and we hope this helps shape the way the industry thinks about these issues," Whitten added.

At the Google Dashboard, you will be able to change settings. For example, with Google Mail you can view and manage your sent and received emails and email drafts, attachments and chat messages.

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