Google Search setting now saves your images and audio for AI training—here's how to turn it off

Google Expands Data Collection Through New Search Services History

Google has begun implementing a significant change to how it handles user data across its search ecosystem. The company now saves images and audio files uploaded during search interactions, storing them in a new Google Search setting called Search Services History 1

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. This policy shift affects multiple Google services including Search, Maps, Shopping, Translate, and News, with the primary purpose being to train AI models and improve user experiences 2

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The collected user data encompasses screenshots taken with Circle to Search, images used in Google Lens, audio from voice search queries, and files uploaded for translation. Google states these materials will be retained for up to 4 years and used to "develop and improve technologies" including the AI models that power features like Gemini and generative AI responses 1

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Privacy Concerns Emerge Over Biometric Data Collection

Calli Schroeder, senior counsel for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, has raised concerns about the implications of this expanded data collection. She emphasizes that voice recordings and visual information constitute valuable biometric data that users may want to keep private 3

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. "Think really hard if you're comfortable with Google having a picture of your kid, or having a picture of you in a swimsuit that you're trying to find the maker of," Schroeder warned, adding that search queries could potentially become information law enforcement might access.

The data privacy implications extend beyond immediate concerns. Schroeder notes that personalized recommendations driven by this data can lead to targeted pricing and algorithmic predictions that may not always serve users' best interests. Users might receive personalized ads based on presumed income levels, location, and cultural background, creating what she describes as an invasive and manipulative experience 3

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How to Turn It Off and Manage Privacy Settings

Users who want to opt out of saving media have several options. When the notification pop-up appears during search interactions, tapping "Manage Settings" provides immediate access to disable the function 1

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. Alternatively, users can navigate to their Google Account, access Data & privacy settings, and locate Search Services History to uncheck the "Save Media" box 2

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It's important to note that disabling this feature doesn't automatically delete previously saved media—users must separately select "View and delete saved history" to remove existing data 2

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. The rollout is happening gradually over the next few months, so some users may not yet see these options in their accounts. For those who previously opted out of Web & App Activity tracking, Google will automatically apply those preferences to Search Services History when it becomes available 3

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Trade-offs Between Privacy and Functionality

Disabling the save media feature does come with functional limitations. Google warns that turning off this setting may affect Gemini's memory capabilities, preventing users from revisiting previous visual searches or continuing conversations about songs identified through image recognition 1

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. The company positions Search Services History as beneficial for tailoring experiences, allowing users to recall past Lens searches or maintain continuity in Search Live conversations.

However, users can strike a balance by selectively disabling media storage while still allowing other data to inform search results. This compromise lets people maintain some personalized functionality without surrendering visual and audio information to train AI models 2

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. Google maintains that the saved media helps improve speech recognition accuracy and other AI-powered features across Android and its broader ecosystem, though the company emphasizes users retain control over their data collection preferences.