Google Now Trains AI on User-Uploaded Images and Audio Files

Google has quietly expanded the data it collects to train artificial intelligence models, now including user-uploaded images, audio recordings, and other files shared through its Search services.

The change took effect following a June privacy policy update that Google announced via customer email, according to a report by TechCrunch. The update introduced two new settings—Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations—that are enabled by default, allowing Google to retain and use media for AI development.

What data Google is collecting

The policy applies across multiple Google services beyond traditional web search, including Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, and News. When users upload photos through Google Lens for visual search, record voice queries through the Search Live feature in the Google app, or practice pronunciation in Google Translate, that media can now be saved and used to train AI models.

Google explicitly states in its customer communications that "saved media is also used to develop and improve Google services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures." The company's help documentation confirms that this data may be reviewed by human evaluators as part of its AI training and safety processes.

Why it matters

This represents a significant shift in how consumer technology companies source training data for AI systems. Rather than relying exclusively on publicly available web content, companies like Google and Meta are increasingly mining data that users actively create and upload while using their services. The opt-out-by-default approach means millions of users may be contributing to AI training without realizing it, raising questions about informed consent in the age of generative AI development.

How to disable media collection

Users can modify their data-sharing preferences through Google's privacy controls. On the Search Services History page, users can uncheck the "Save Media" option independently from general search history, or disable both. Google also offers automatic deletion intervals of 3, 18, or 36 months for saved data.

The June update separated previously unified privacy controls into distinct settings. Historical "Web & App Activity" settings now operate independently from the new Search Services History controls, meaning users who previously adjusted their data retention preferences will need to revisit these settings to ensure their media isn't being collected.

Beyond saved media, Google continues to use search history, location data, and browsing activity to personalize services and target advertising. Users can review and adjust these additional privacy settings through Google's centralized privacy management pages.

These details were first reported by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch.