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Google Expands AI Training to Include User Media Files
A June update to Google's privacy settings now stores images, audio, and other media uploaded to Search services for AI model training. Users can adjust the new Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations controls to limit data retention.
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Google updated its Search services privacy settings in June, adding two new options that determine whether user-uploaded media is saved and used to train AI models. The change applies to Google Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, and News.
Media such as images from Google Lens, voice recordings from voice search, and audio from language practice in Translate can now be retained. Google stated in a customer email that saved media is used to develop and improve its services, including AI models and safety measures.
Its help documentation notes that history may also be reviewed by humans for those purposes.
Adjusting the Settings Users can visit the Search Services History page to uncheck the Save Media box or set automatic deletion after three, 18, or 36 months. A separate Personalized Recommendations page controls how activity data shapes search results and ads.
The update separated Search-related data from the older Web & App Activity setting. Changes made only to Web & App Activity no longer affect data used by Search services. Google previously relied mainly on publicly scraped web data for AI training. The new approach adds user-created content from its own services, a method also used by other consumer technology companies.
