Data access and deletion Transparency Report
As described in Google’s Privacy Policy and Privacy Help Centre, we maintain a variety of tools for users to update, manage, access, export and delete their information, and to control their privacy across Google’s services. In particular, every year millions of users in the US utilise Google’s Download your data feature or delete some of their data using Google’s My activity feature. These tools enable users to choose the specific types of data across Google’s services that they want to review, download or delete, with requests processed automatically. In addition, users may exercise their rights under specific privacy laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, by contacting Google.
The table below provides more information on the use of these tools and contact methods in 2021:
| Type of request | Number of requests | Requests completed in whole or in part | Requests denied*** | Average time to substantively respond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Download your data usage* | Approximately 3.9 million | Approximately 3.9 million | N/A (requests processed automatically) | Less than 1 day (requests processed automatically) |
| My activity deletion usage* | Approximately 18.9 million | Approximately 18.9 million | N/A (requests processed automatically) | Less than 1 day (requests processed automatically) |
| Requests to know (via contacting Google)** | 683 | 679 | 4 | 15 days |
| Requests to delete (via contacting Google)** | 62 | 62 | 0 | 15 days |
As explained in our Privacy Policy, Google does not sell our users’ personal information. Accordingly, when users submit requests to opt out of the sale of personal information, we respond to these requests by explaining our practices and commitments and providing them with information on the limited circumstances in which their personal information may be shared outside of Google, and the controls they have in respect of such sharing.
* Data for US-based users
** Data for users identifying themselves as California residents
*** Each of the requests denied in 2021 was denied because the request was not verifiable