Google uses your uploads to train AI — here's how to opt out
Original: If you use Google, you’re training its AI. Here’s how to opt out.
Why This Matters
Google's default opt-in for media-based AI training marks a significant expansion of data collection practices affecting billions of users.
Google quietly updated its Search services privacy settings in June 2026, automatically opting users into storing media — images, files, audio, and video — to train its AI models. The change affects Search, Maps, Shopping, Translate, Lens, and more. Users can opt out via Search Services History settings.
Google rolled out an under-the-radar update to its Search services privacy settings in June 2026, notifying users via email. The update introduced two new settings — Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations — and by default opted users into expanded data collection that includes media such as images, files, audio recordings, and video.
The policy applies across a wide range of Google services beyond core Search, including Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, News, and Lens. For example, photos taken via Google Lens, audio from voice searches, Search Live recordings, and speech input in Google Translate may all be saved and used for AI training.
Google confirmed the practice directly in its customer email: "Like your Search Services History, your saved media is also used to develop and improve Google services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures." Its help documentation adds that "human reviewers" may also access this data.
The move mirrors similar practices by Meta, which trains AI on user images and content captured by its AI glasses. Users who wish to opt out can visit the Search Services History settings page and uncheck the "Save Media" box independently, or disable all history saving. Auto-delete intervals can also be configured.