Does an ISP Store Browsing History Record Searches?

Storage files Though it might seem like an invasion of your privacy, it is true that an ISP stores your browser searches. But, in truth, if there’s anything that can be considered to be an illusion nowadays, it’s the idea of privacy, particularly when it comes to the online world. Sure, we can always turn to VPNs or other privacy-oriented tools and think of how they put our computer into a bubble, but this is exercise is futile given that most people voluntarily share every little aspect of their lives on social media.

With that said, the idea of ISPs storing such personal data as the things you share for is a complex topic that differs from country to country. In the U.S. court orders can be issued to ISPs requiring the handover of data from certain IP addresses associated with illegal activity, and as such these companies need to keep a backlog of records for different amounts of time. It’s not only legal issues that are the reasons behind ISPs collecting browsing history records since business is always at the forefront; ISPs make profit from selling those records to marketing companies who are keen on bombarding users with targeted advertisements.

While this is considered a shameful practice by many people, it’s not any different from what Facebook or Google have been doing for years.Honestly, talking about ISPs gathering customer data and not mentioning these giant media companies simply doesn’t make sense, as these two know more about their users than any ISP can. It’s not just them, obviously, but among other things Google and Facebook aggregate demographic data and the preferences you demonstrate on your profile. In turn, advertisers are offered the most desirable audiences and pay good money for such information.

Avoiding the Question

Data encrypted through a VPN connection Unfortunately, being completely removed from this vicious circle may take some drastic measures, such as no longer using the internet, smartphones and the like, which for most of us is just impossible for personal and professional reasons. However, there are other methods that certainly help to reclaim the little privacy we still have left.

The first is to turn to VPNs, preferably offshore ones since these don’t obey the most restrictive data collection laws and can reliably provide no-log policies. Also, they encrypt your connection and make it impossible for your ISP to see past the point that you’re using such a tool, not to mention bring additional perks of circumventing online geographic restrictions and sometimes even ad blockers.

There are other procedures to adopt for a less public online experience, too. Using safer search engine alternatives to Google, for instance, is already a great way of avoiding having each step monitored, as is like deleting your social media presence. If nothing else, the latter will at least stop the urge of voluntarily posting your likes, dislikes, and pretty much every second of your life for data-hungry advertisers to collect.

The Best VPNs of 2023

Rank	Provider	Info	Visit
1	Editor's Choice 2023	Polished appearance Unique security features Easy setup and usage 30-day money-back guarantee Review:	Visit NordVPN7-Day Free Trial
2		Double VPN Intuitive multiplatform apps Connection customization Excellent pricing Review:	Visit
3		Unlimited devices DNS leak protection Suitable for all users Completely customizable Review:	Visit