I've worked with the Dept of Defense and various agencies my entire life. I can say this with absolute confidence; Google tracks and saves more information on users than the NSA. I use a Google engine only when absolutely necessary and at the risk of sounding paranoid (which I am not), Google is the most intense big brother that have ever existed. Things that are benign usually are not, especially when it comes to technology... The DoD will not allow Google products when there are secure networks in daily ops...
For a browser I use Mozilla and for a search engine I use
www.Ixquick.com
Enough said....