As I received the email from Google with its new privacy settings, my concern grew. Every piece of media, from audio to images, could be used to improve Google’s AI models. The process to opt out is straightforward, but it raises questions about default settings and user control.

The Search Services History feature was already enabled on my account, with my image uploads being saved for AI training. Turning this off requires visiting the My Activity page and unchecking the box to save media. Google argues that these changes will provide more relevant search results, but it also means longer storage of personal data.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Thorin Klosowski suggests that ‘opt in’ features are the bare minimum for companies like Google. He believes users should be actively choosing to enable such features rather than default settings enabling them automatically. This new feature may contribute to a sense of powerlessness, as users must constantly monitor their privacy settings.

Ben Winters from the Consumer Federation of America notes that this change adds another layer for consumers to consider whether they feel comfortable with the tools they’ve been using. It’s a reminder that every service we use is collecting data, and it often falls on us to decide what we want to keep private.

The message from Google highlights the benefits of saving media, such as revisiting past searches or continuing conversations. However, the lack of similar explanations for AI training leaves users feeling unsure about the true purpose of this feature.