Can My Search History Be Used as Evidence? (2024)

FAQs

Can My Search History Be Used as Evidence? ›

If you are already charged with a crime, your browser data (including your search history) can be subpoenaed by the prosecution. For instance, your internet history can be used against you to establish a motive for a crime or that you had the knowledge to commit a crime – even if you were browsing in “private” mode.

However, many charges are based on intent, meaning your search results on their own cannot be the sole basis for a conviction. The prosecution must also show that you actually intended to or did commit a crime with the aid of your search results.

If you're on a public Wi-Fi network and the network administrators use network monitoring tools, they might be able to track your internet activity. However, you can't be tracked if you're using a virtual private network (VPN) service that prevents DNS leaks and does not log your activity.

Can police recover deleted internet history? Yes, simply by contacting your internet service provider. They are obligated by law to store records of your online activity.

Browser history must be relevant

For many people, a full analysis of their internet search history would be embarrassing at the very least. Fortunately, like all evidence, evidence about your Google search history must be relevant in order for it to be discoverable or admissible in court.

If you are already charged with a crime, your browser data (including your search history) can be subpoenaed by the prosecution.

Searching information isn't a crime itself. However, searches can raise red flags and certain sites and internet activity are criminal (e.g., possession of child p*rnography).

Unfortunately, third parties can access this data, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft and data misuse. Simply deleting your browser history is not enough to safeguard your data.

Does clearing history delete everything? A lot of data is generated as you browse the internet, and clearing your history only deletes the record of addresses you've visited that are stored locally on your device. It doesn't remove your Google search history, or other data stored on remote servers.

How far back can internet history be tracked? ›

In most countries, ISPs can track and store this information for up to two years. The data is used for law enforcement, targeted advertising, and even bandwidth throttling. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is the company that controls your access to the internet and often provides you with a router, too.

Go to Google's My Activity page (make sure you're logged into your Google account). Click the Delete button below the “Search your activity” field. Choose the time period you'd like to delete your data. All time will delete all your Google history.

And most of the time people can do so without expecting the Department of Justice to come knocking. But deleting digital data—including clearing browser history—can result in federal felony obstruction of justice charges under 18 U.S.C.

For accounts created before then, Google retains Web & Activity data indefinitely by default; in theory, Google would have your search history from when you first opened your Google account.

However, it's important to point out that when you clear, delete, or hide browsing history on-screen, you do not remove your visits to those websites. In other words, even though the next person to use your computer won't be able to see where you've been if you clear your history, the sites you visit still can.

Can people see my search history? Yes. Your ISPs, search engines, and social media companies may have access to your search history. Additionally, hackers and other malicious actors can use your data to exploit you if they have the right resources.

Does a background check include browsing history? No. A person's internet browsing history is personal information and will not feature in any legal or ethical background check.

Your Search history is saved to your Google Account as part of your Web & App Activity, along with activity from other Google services.

While the government won't go snooping through your Internet history, emails, or text messages, it can review publicly available information about you. This can include anything you've ever posted to social media, an online forum, or other places on the Internet that can be traced back to you.

So, clearing your browsing history is not enough to safeguard your data. While clearing your browser history has benefits like better application efficiency, you should invest in useful online tools like McAfee's identity theft protection, which can better protect your data online.