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ProPakistani
Google Can Now Use Your Search Data to Train Its AI
Google has updated its account settings to enable saving of user-uploaded media from its Search-related services, which can be used to improve its AI models. This new Search Services History setting allows for the storage of images and audio submitted through various Google services but does not cover personal media in Google Photos. The change highlights significant implications for user privacy and data control, as users need to manually manage their settings to prevent data retention for AI training.
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Published 7 Jul 2026, 14:55 UTC3 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Google can now use media uploaded through Search to train AI models.
- The new Search Services History setting applies to multiple Google services.
- User-uploaded media may be stored for up to four years.
- Users are given control to manage their media settings.
- Personal media in Google Photos is unaffected by this policy.
Interesting facts
- Users had to enable prior Web & App Activity for the new setting to be enabled.
- Media used for AI training is anonymized from the user’s account before use.