Google Lens and Translate: Your Data Now Serving AI

Google recently announced significant changes in how it manages user data related to its search services. In an email sent to its users, the company revealed the creation of a new setting called “Search Services History.” This setting will allow Google to save images, audio recordings, and videos used during searches.

Among the items affected are images searched via Google Lens, recordings from the Search Live tool, voice searches, and phrases spoken in Translate. This initiative aims to enhance the personalization and efficiency of Google's services.

Users will have the option to disable this setting, as well as the “Save Media” option, if they prefer that their interactions are not retained. Google clarified that the Search Services History will be used to “provide, develop, and improve its services,” particularly its artificial intelligence models. It will also be used to offer personalized suggestions and advertisements, provided that the user has activated the “Personalized Recommendations” setting.

These new settings will be distinct from the existing Web and App Activity option, which previously included search interactions and certain settings for saving audio recordings and visual searches. For users who have already chosen to block the saving of their search history via Web and App Activity, Google commits to keeping the Search Services History disabled after the transition. Current personalization preferences will be transferred when these new options are implemented in the coming months.