Google has quietly updated its Search Services privacy settings, allowing the company to use more user-generated content to improve its artificial intelligence models.

The update means that photos, videos, audio recordings, and files uploaded through several Google services may now be stored and used to develop future AI features unless users choose to change their privacy settings.

The changes apply across multiple Google products, including Search, Maps, Shopping, Google Lens, Translate, Flights, Hotels, and Google News.

What Data Can Google Use?

According to Google’s updated policy, the following types of content may be saved and used to improve AI systems:

  • Images uploaded through Google Lens
  • Voice searches made in the Google app
  • Audio recordings from Google Translate
  • Files and media uploaded to supported Google Search services
  • Search activity and usage history

Google says this information helps improve AI models, search quality, personalization, and security systems.

The update reflects a growing trend among major technology companies that use customer-generated content to train AI models.

Instead of relying only on publicly available internet data, companies are increasingly improving AI using information users create while using their services.

For privacy-conscious users, this makes reviewing account settings more important than ever.

Can You Turn It Off?

Yes.

Google allows users to manage these settings through their Google Account.

Users can:

  • Disable Search Services History
  • Turn off Save Media
  • Change automatic deletion to 3, 18, or 36 months
  • Review Web & App Activity settings
  • Adjust personalized recommendations

These options let users decide how much information Google stores and whether it can be used for AI improvements.

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