But underscoring how difficult it is to completely erase one’s digital footprints, the information typed by users of AskEraser into Ask.com will not disappear completely. Ask.com relies on Google to deliver many of the ads that appear next to its search results. Under an agreement between the two companies, Ask.com will continue to pass query information on to Google. Mr. Leeds acknowledged that AskEraser cannot promise complete anonymity, but said it would greatly increase privacy protections for users who want them, as Google is contractually constrained in what it can do with that information. A Google spokesman said the company uses the information to place relevant ads and to fight certain online scams.

The ability to erase one's query history is a useful option. There are plenty of times most of us wouldn't care about clearing our search tracks. Then again, we all have questions, concerns or interests that are private and we should have the option of keeping it that way. The Internet enables practices that we don't necessarily want, like illegally copying music and movies, phishing, cybercrime, and stepping too far into the private lives of others. Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should do it. Thanks to Ask.com for demonstrating they recognize that basic principle of civility.