You're right, this was before the new Google privacy policies. But he did say that phrase in order to downplay Google's own responsibility in retaining search i

You're right, this was before the new Google privacy policies. But he did say that phrase in order to downplay Google's own responsibility in retaining search information. More importantly, propagating the idea that you should only care about privacy when it comes to things "that you don't want anyone to know" is irresponsible, and it's worrying that it comes from the single biggest handler of personal information in the world. Bruce Schneier said that a lot better than myself: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/12/my_reaction_to.html https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/12/my_reaction_t... About the new privacy policies, here's another interesting part from that same interview, which to my knowledge hasn't been transcribed anywhere: But Eric Schmidt says protecting user privacy is Google's top priority. - Where does all my search info go? - Well first place our privacy policies are fully disclosed on our website and it's all written down very carefully. The most important thing we do is that after 18 months, the search information that you entered is so-called anonymized, it's literally gotten rid of and we can't go back and track it back to you. Two years later Google would overhaul the privacy policy and get rid of most safeguards, including that "most important thing". Today, Google could retain your search data for any length of time or use it in unrelated products for any purpose they wish. So much for privacy being "Google's top priority"... (To be clear, I'm not blaming Eric Schmidt since he was no longer CEO. I just want to highlight the striking fact that his whole defence would fall apart.)