A June update to Google’s Search privacy settings allows the company to store and use media uploaded by users — such as images, files, and audio and video recordings — to improve its AI models. Unless you disable the relevant option, media you add to Google Search services can be retained and used for AI training.
Which services are affected?
The change covers more than Google Search itself and extends to related search services, including Google Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate and News. Practical examples include:
- Photos taken with Google Lens for visual searches may be saved and used for training.
- Audio recordings captured via Search Live in the Google app or other voice searches may be stored.
- Audio recorded while practicing speech in Google Translate can also be saved.
What has Google said?
In the customer email announcing the change, Google stated: “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 also explains that Google “uses your history to provide, develop, and improve its services (such as training generative AI models) and to protect Google, its users, and the public with the help of human reviewers.”
While some stored data is temporary and intended to make products work, Google’s wording confirms that saved media can be specifically retained for AI training.
Why this matters
The update reflects a broader industry trend toward collecting data generated or uploaded by users during service use, rather than relying only on data scraped from the web. Other major tech companies, such as Meta, have pursued similar approaches by training models on users’ images and other media.
How to change your settings
You can control these settings through Google’s new Search Services controls:
- Open the Search Services History and Search Services Personalization pages in your Google account.
- On the Search Services History page, you can uncheck the “Save Media” box separately from the overall “Search Services History” toggle, or disable both options.
- Choose how long saved data is kept automatically: 3 months, 18 months, or 36 months.
From those settings you can also access other privacy pages for Web & App Activity, Timeline, YouTube History and more to further adjust what Google stores and uses.
Practical considerations
Note that Google separated Search data retention from the earlier Web & App Activity setting. That means changing Web & App Activity retention no longer automatically changes what Google retains for Search services, because Search now uses a distinct setting that is on by default.
In short: Google has expanded the types of user content that may be used to develop its AI, including uploaded media. If you prefer not to have your photos, voice recordings or videos used for that purpose, go to Search Services History, disable “Save Media” and set an automatic deletion interval.
