Google data can be used to train AI; learn how to manage your privacy

New Controls and Practical Impact

To manage this situation, Google introduced two new control options: 'Search Services History' and 'Personalized Recommendations,' which determine how data will be stored and used to customize the user experience. A notable aspect is that the inclusion is not limited to simple texts or histories, but also encompasses photos, videos, and audio recordings.

A practical example is an image sent via Lens or a voice query, which can be saved and reused in AI development. TechCrunch points out that this trend reflects a larger movement in the sector, where corporations use real user data to power artificial intelligence models.

Control Options for the User

Despite the modification, Google maintained the available control functionalities, allowing users to adjust or disable parts of this usage directly in account settings. It is possible to define the data storage period and restrict the use of media for training purposes.

Recommended actions include: disabling the 'Save Media' option in search settings, which prevents the storage and use of photos, videos, and audio in AI training; adjusting 'Search Services History' to reduce the use of activities in system personalization and training; controlling the data retention time to limit the collected volume; managing 'Web & App Activity' separately; and disabling 'Personalized Recommendations' to prevent user behavior from influencing AI suggestions and improvements.

Subtle Change with Major Repercussions

Additionally, Google restructured its settings, separating search history from other activities, which alters the dynamic of privacy control. Although the goal is to improve AI models with real usage data, there is a crucial point: many users may not notice this change. Data collection is not new, but it has become broader, more integrated into daily life, and simultaneously, less perceptible.