Ask.com Makes Search Private

By Greg McNevin

December 12, 2007: The search engine Ask.com has taken an big jump forward on the privacy front, unveiling a new feature that enables its users to delete their search data on the fly.

Called AskEraser, the service functions as a toggle switch that lets users turn it on or off during searches. When engaged, the eraser automatically deletes cookie information and any data from search queries, effectively removing the usual 18 month wait search data is subject to before deletion.

Privacy is a growing concern on the web, particularly with several high-profile and controversial cases involving search engines turning over user and search data to authorities in the US and China.

Several search engines including Google, Yahoo! And Ask.com have implemented an 18 month timeframe for information deletion, however, Ask.com will be the first to offer what is essentially invisible surfing.

“We take significant steps to protect any data that's stored in our servers, but for those people who want to take extra precautions, AskEraser let them take the issue completely off the table,” said Ask.com Chief Executive Jim Lanzone according to Reuters.

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