URL to manage data collected by the search engine

[msramek]

Hi DeWitt and other contributors!

I'm not sure what the process for extending this standard is, so I thought I'd start by opening a bug for discussion.

I'd like to propose adding a new field:

• Name: "manageUrl"
• Type: URL or null
• Meaning: A URL that the user could visit to view, manage, and delete search history or any other data collected by the search engine; null is a declaration by the search engine that they don't collect any such data.

A user agent could then expose this URL in their search engine settings or data deletion surfaces to help users manage their data.

I think an explicit "null" value would be useful to distinguish search engines that simply haven't provided a URL yet, or haven't implemented an UI for users to manage their data, from those search engines that want to affirmatively declare that they don't collect data about users' searches. Though I'm not quite sure yet if it would really be actionable for user agents, as there could be a lot of nuance (e.g. a search engine is collecting data but aggregating and anonymizing it; a search engine is collecting data in a pseudonymous non-authenticated way, so it can't really verify the identity of the user who wishes to view their data). Ultimately, user agents would likely not want to make statements about the privacy practices of third parties.

Thanks!
Martin

[msramek]

Gentle ping if anyone has opinions :) Thanks!