Microsoft announced Monday new policies and technologies, aimed at protecting users’ privacy for its Live Search service. With IAC/InterActiveCorp.’s Ask.com, Microsoft will also announce plans to initiate an industry standard practice to retain the search histories of users.

Meanwhile, later this week, Yahoo! will detail its plan for a policy to make users’ search data anonymous within 13 months, with the exception of users’ requests, law-enforcement or legal processes.

Google also recently announced a plan to adjust the period it keeps users’ search data, from a range of between 18 to 24 months, to 18 months maximum.