Observed Signal · Jul 6, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: techcrunch · Impact: 5/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Google uses uploaded media to train AI; opt out
Google updated its Search Services privacy settings in June 2026 to allow saved user media — including images, files, audio and video recordings — to be retained and used to develop and improve its AI models unless users opt out. The change adds two settings, Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations, and applies across Google Search services such as Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate and News. Google’s documentation and customer email state saved media may be used for AI training and reviewed by humans. Users can disable the “Save Media” option and adjust automatic deletion intervals (3, 18 or 36 months) via the Search Services History and Personalization pages. The update separates Search data from Web & App Activity retention settings.
Major platform (Google) changed default privacy settings to allow user-uploaded media to be retained and used for AI training across search services, affecting first-party data usage, personalization, ad targeting and privacy controls industry-wide.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- In June 2026 Google updated Search Services privacy settings to allow saved media to be used to train AI models.
- Google introduced two new controls: Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations.
- The change covers multiple Google search services including Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate and News.
- Saved media types specified include images, files, audio and video recordings and may be retained for AI training and reviewed by humans.
- Users can opt out by unchecking the “Save Media” box and configure automatic deletion intervals (3, 18, 36 months).
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mapped“A recent change to Google’s privacy settings is allowing the company to store more of your data, including media such as “images, files, and...”
“Meta is another example of a consumer-facing tech company doing this at scale, training its AI on users’ images and media, as well as on con...”
“Sarah has worked as a reporter for TechCrunch since August 2011....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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