When a searcher activates AskEraser, Ask will stop recording the searcher's search queries and cookie information. This information includes IP address, User ID, Session ID, and the complete query text. AskEraser is available across many of Ask.com's properties including Web search, image search, AskCity, news search, blog search, video search, and Maps & Directions.
how AskEraser works.
(1) AskEraser works only for future searches; it is not retroactive. If you search for something, then activate AskEraser, the item you searched for will remain in the Ask servers for 18 months. Future searches that you do with AskEraser activated will not be stored.
(2) I asked Jim how this may impact Ask.com's relevancy. Since Ask.com tends to use search queries in their Edison algorithm, how might missing this data impact results? Jim explained that the data used in their algorithms for relevancy is done on a "sampling basis". He said that if 100% of Ask.com's users adopt the use of AskEraser then Ask.com would have to "modify a lot of what we do." Ask.com would embrace that change, since it means Ask has hit on "something super important to users."
(3) Finally, I asked if Ask has spoken with other search engines about this initiative and what type of feedback they received. Ask.com sent me this response:
Ask.com is really doing this in response to our users' concerns over privacy. We aim to give them as many choices and innovative concepts as possible to help them improve their online daily lives and make their search experience with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, as well as trust and integrity. If others follow suit on the AskEraser concept and raise the bar on privacy in the industry - we all win: search engine and consumer alike. As you know, Ask.com has been actively involved with our colleagues in the search space - as well as the Center for Democracy & Technology - to further a meaningful and comprehensive dialogue on privacy - and getting to best practices and concrete steps. We think AskEraser helps put those policy discussions into action via consumer products. And that's a good thing.
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