Google launches Dashboard for users to control data

Google has launched its Dashboard system that will give users access to their account data and lets them control the ads they will see under the proposed interest-based advertising.

The search giant announced it was launching behavioural targeting ads on YouTube and the Google Content Network in a bid to compete with competitors in March, under an opt-out policy.

The launch of Dashboard will enable users to view all their data and preferences and edit them accordingly, which will include ad preferences.

Posting on the Google blog, the company says: “In an effort to provide you with greater transparency and control over their own data, we’ve built the Google Dashboard. Designed to be simple and useful, the Dashboard summarises data for each product that you use when signed in to your account and provides you direct links to control your personal settings, including allowing you to control the ads you see with interest-based advertising.”

The Dashboard covers more than 20 products and services, including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Web History, Orkut, YouTube, Picasa, Talk, Reader, Alerts and Latitude.