Google has quietly updated its policies to collect media files uploaded by users during searches, using them to train its artificial intelligence models. According to a TechCrunch report, the company can now capture images, audio files, and video recordings submitted through tools like Google Lens, voice search, and Google Translate. The change is automatic for all users with no initial opt-out, but there is a procedure to disable it.
Google automatically enables media collection for AI training
The new policy applies to all Google Search-related products, excluding for now services like Google Photos. If you upload a photo to Google Lens to identify an object, Google can take it and use it to improve its algorithms. The same applies to audio from voice searches and files sent to Google Translate. The company justifies the move by the need to feed generative AI models, which require massive amounts of data. However, many users see this as a privacy invasion, similar to past controversies like the Apple-Epic Games case, where Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers approved a deadline postponement precisely on data control issues. For more on the legal implications, read the related article on Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers Approves Deadline Postponement in Apple-Epic Games Case.
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How to disable Google's data collection for AI
To opt out, go to the Search Services History page and uncheck the "Save Media" box. Then, visit the Search Services Personalization page and ensure it is not saving anything. This will prevent Google from using your uploads for training. Additionally, you can disable AI Overview results by adding "-AI" before any query. Note that even after disabling, Google may still use previously collected data, as privacy experts point out. For more technical insights, check the article on Wikipedia Google Lens page.
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Privacy implications and the future of AI
Google's move raises questions about the balance between personalization and surveillance. While the company claims data is anonymized, the lack of transparent opt-in has drawn criticism from digital rights groups. This strategy is not isolated; other tech giants have also expanded data collection for AI, as shown by recent Wi-Fi router tests by Wired, highlighting how connectivity is increasingly intertwined with data gathering. Discover the best devices for your home in the article Tested 40+ Wi-Fi Routers in 2026: Here Are the Best for Home and Office According to Wired. Ultimately, Google has given users the tools to protect their data, but the choice is ours.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2208978/google-now-uses-your-uploaded-search-media-to-train-ai
