How to Opt Out of Google Using Your Personal Media for AI Training

If you use Google’s search services, your personal media—including images, files, and audio recordings—is likely being used to train the company’s artificial intelligence models. A recent update to Google’s privacy settings has automatically opted users into this data collection, a move the company says is intended to improve its AI services and safety measures.

How Your Data Is Being Used

The update applies to a wide range of Google services, including Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, and News. When you interact with these platforms, the information you provide is now subject to being saved for AI training. For example, if you use Google Lens to perform a visual search, the images you upload may be stored. Similarly, voice inputs used in the Google app or audio recorded during Google Translate practice sessions are also being captured for development purposes.
Google confirmed this practice in a customer email sent in June, stating that saved media is used to develop and improve its services, including generative AI models. The company’s help documentation further clarifies that this data may be processed by human reviewers to protect Google, its users, and the public.

Navigating the New Privacy Settings

The update introduced two distinct settings: Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations. These allow users to manage how their activity influences their Google experience and how long that data is retained. Importantly, the storage of media is now a separate toggle from general search history. Users can navigate to the Search Services History page to uncheck the "Save Media" box, or opt out of both media storage and search history entirely.
Users also have the ability to configure automatic deletion schedules for their data, with options to clear saved information after three, 18, or 36 months.

Changes to Data Management

Before this update, users managed their data through a single "Web & App Activity" setting. Google has now separated this into two distinct categories: the existing Web & App Activity and the new Search data setting. Because the new Search data setting is enabled by default, adjusting your Web & App Activity preferences will no longer prevent Google from storing data collected through its search services.
To maintain control over your privacy, you must visit the dedicated Search Services History and Search Services Personalization pages to review and adjust these new configurations. You can also access additional privacy controls for your Timeline, YouTube history, and other account activity through your main Google privacy dashboard.