Google is planning Android privacy improvements

FORMER CEO Eric Schmidt has said that Google is will improve the security and privacy of Android devices by simplifying how its users define their sharing settings.

Google, along with Apple, has had its share of attention from lawmakers over the way that its mobile phone operating system reduces personal privacy, and has been questioned in the US Senate about location tracking.

According to the BBC, Schmidt, speaking at a UK conference on privacy, said that Google will simplify the app installation process and make it much clearer when and if users are expected to share their sensitive data.

Schmidt added that that internally Google takes this sort of thing "very seriously", and explained that Google is working on "a series of projects" designed to increase transparency.

One tool might be an addition to the Google Dashboard that will show users what data they are sharing and where, however, Schmidt added that this would only apply to one pool of data.

"It is worth stressing that we can only do this with data you have shared with Google. We can't be a vacuum-cleaner for the whole internet," he said, adding that perhaps it would be better for everyone if they just forget about this whole thing and just carry on handing over information.

"If you choose to give us that information we can do a better job. If we know a little bit more about you we can offer better targeted search," he explained. µ