Search Engine Privacy | Video

Sarahbeth Ackerman | 12/4/2012

The Internet is great to retrieve information, but it also can be a dangerous place. The moment you upload information onto a social networking site, like Facebook or Twitter, that data is forever on the web.

"If you want to be cautious and you probably do want to err on the side of caution, if you wouldn`t hang it on a sign on your front door, don`t put it on the Internet," said Mark Jantzer, general manager at The Computer Store.

Even your online purchases and your search engines can be tracked. All search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing track everything you search for.

On top of that, the Government can request that information. So, is this an example of Big Brother watching you?

"I do know that in the past, the Government has asked Google for certain data and they have been refused. So I suspect that it somewhat depends on the company they`re dealing with, but also there are laws that protect people`s private information. And so it would have to be, I think, there would have to be a cause to be able to request and be granted that personal data," said Jantzer.

Because more and more people are using the Internet for their daily searches, Jantzer recommends being cautious about the information you put out because someone could be retrieving it.

"The vast majority of people have nothing to hide and who are going about their lives as good citizens are probably fairly comfortable with this. Law enforcement, for instance, having access to a broad range of information."

Although the federal government could be requesting for access of your search history, the search engines always have that information on file.

Microsoft, Apple and larger IT companies are trying to get legislation that would require the federal government to get a warrant before it reviews any of your personal history information.

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