Google's New Search Setting Lets Your Photos Train Its AI Models

Google is rolling out a new privacy control called Search Services History that extends far beyond traditional search queries. The setting governs whether the company saves activity from Search services when users are signed into their Google Account—including images uploaded through Google Lens, voice search recordings, files analyzed by Search, and audio from Translate practice sessions.

The most significant aspect is a subsetting called Save Media. When enabled, Google can retain media from these interactions and use it to improve its AI models and technologies. That random photo you searched with Google Lens or the voice recording from a hands-free query could become training data for Google's generative AI systems.

Why it matters

This change represents a meaningful expansion of how consumer data flows into AI development. Unlike text search history, visual and audio inputs carry more contextual information about users' physical environments, possessions, and daily routines. For enterprises evaluating Google Workspace or consumer AI tools, understanding these data practices is essential for compliance and vendor risk assessment. The four-year retention window for AI training data also creates a longer exposure period than many users might expect.

What gets saved

According to Google, Search Services History can capture searches, viewed results, AI Mode responses, voice search recordings, Search Live transcripts, Google Lens images, uploaded files, and associated metadata. The company says this data helps users revisit past visual searches or continue conversations—but it also explicitly states that saved media may help develop and improve AI models.

The setting's default state depends on prior choices for Web & App Activity and Search Personalization. If those were enabled, the new Search Services History likely is too, placing the burden on users to actively review and adjust.

The retention challenge

Disabling Save Media stops future collection but does not automatically purge existing data. Previously saved media may continue improving Google's technologies unless manually deleted from the account. More concerning: once media has been selected for AI model training, Google says it is disconnected from the user's account and may be retained for up to four years—even if the original activity is deleted.

How to disable the setting

Users can access Search Services History through their Google Account settings under Data & privacy. The rollout is gradual, so some accounts may not yet display the new controls. For those accounts, Web & App Activity still governs Search history.

To opt out, users should navigate to Search Services History, locate the Save Media subsetting, and uncheck the box. For broader protection, users can disable Search Services History entirely by selecting "Turn off" or "Turn off and delete activity." Reviewing and deleting older saved items requires visiting the "View and delete saved history" option within Search Services History.

Importantly, this setting does not control separate activity tracking for Gemini Apps, YouTube, NotebookLM, or Google Voice, which maintain independent privacy controls. Users with multiple Google Accounts must repeat the process for each one.

These details were first reported by CyberGuy, which noted that turning off Save Media does not eliminate all Search data collection—text-based activity, transcripts, and some AI responses may still be saved if Search Services History remains enabled.