Tech · Full coverage
Google Begins Saving User Media for AI Training, Users Can Opt Out
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
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First reported by Walla · Jul 7, 2026
What happened
Google now saves various media uploaded during searches to train its AI systems, with the feature enabled by default but optional to disable. Saved media includes images, audio, and files used in search tools like Google Lens and Translate. Users can opt out via account settings, but previously saved content may still be used for up to four years.
- 01Google saves images, audio, videos, and files uploaded during searches for AI development by default.
- 02Media from Google Lens, voice search, and Google Translate can be stored and used to improve services.
- 03Saved media is detached from user accounts and kept for up to four years for AI training.
- 04Users can disable media saving in their Google account settings under Search History.
- 05Disabling the feature only affects new uploads; previously saved media may still be used.
- 06Google Photos content is not included in this new media-saving mechanism.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
Full coverage · 2 outlets
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