New Delhi: Google is reportedly using photos, videos, audio recordings and other files uploaded through certain Search services to help improve its artificial intelligence models, raising fresh concerns about user privacy and data usage. The reported policy applies to media uploaded through Google Search-related tools such as Google Lens, Voice Search and Google Translate, but does not extend to content stored in Google Photos.

Search uploads may be used to improve AI

According to a TechCrunch report, Google can use media uploaded through specific Search products to develop and improve its AI systems. This includes images uploaded to Google Lens, audio submitted through Voice Search and files used with Google Translate.

The reported policy is limited to Search-related services and does not apply to media stored in Google Photos or other cloud storage products.

As generative AI models require vast amounts of training data, technology companies have increasingly sought new sources of information to improve the accuracy and capabilities of their AI systems.

Users reportedly enrolled by default

The report claims users are automatically enrolled in this data collection setting, meaning uploaded media may be saved unless users manually change their preferences.

This has sparked concerns among privacy advocates, particularly as many users may not realise that media submitted for search purposes could potentially contribute to AI development.

The reported practice comes amid growing scrutiny of how major technology companies collect and use user-generated content for machine learning.

How users can limit saved media

Users who do not want their uploaded Search media to be saved can reportedly adjust their settings.

According to the report, users can:

  • Visit the Search Service History page and disable the “Save Media” option.
  • Go to the Search Services Personalisation page and turn off the relevant settings that save uploaded content.

These changes may reduce the amount of future Search-related media retained by Google for personalisation purposes.

AI training continues to face legal scrutiny

The broader debate around AI training data remains unresolved. Several technology companies developing generative AI systems are facing lawsuits from authors, publishers, artists, musicians and other creators who allege their copyrighted works were used without permission.

The issue has intensified global discussions around transparency, consent and copyright protections as AI systems become increasingly dependent on large datasets for training.

While opting out of certain settings may limit what is saved through Search services, experts note that users should carefully review the privacy policies and terms of service for the platforms they use to better understand how their data may be processed.

Google has maintained that it provides users with controls over their data and continues to update its privacy tools as AI-powered features expand across its products.