Google has updated its privacy policy to include a notable change.
It has to do with its usage of data for training AI models.
Training AI models
AI models such as ChatGPT use the entirety of the internet to gather data through a process called web scraping.
By this means it extracts data from online sources which it then uses to provide an analysis of the same to the user.
The updated print
As of July 1, the updated policy matter states ,
“Google uses information to improve our services and to develop new products, features and technologies that benefit our users and the public.
For example, we use publicly available information to help train Google’s AI models and build products and features like Google Translate, Bard, and Cloud AI capabilities.”
What has changed
Note that it says that now publicly available information can also be used to train AI models.
This is a change from earlier where it used to mention “language models”.
Additionally, previously the policy only mentioned Google Translate.
Now Cloud AI and Bard have also been included.
Implications
This implies that anything people publicly post online can be used to train Bard, future versions and other generative AI products it develops.
This also means that while most companies’ privacy policies limit them to using data posted on their platforms, Google will be able to use not only data that users provide directly but also any information they post publicly online.
Protecting your data
Take the following steps to better protect your data online.
Only post information publicly that you are comfortable with anyone using.
Use Google’s privacy controls. You can choose to opt out of options like “Web & App Activity,” “Location History,” and “Voice & Audio Activity.”
Consider a switch to alternative services with stricter privacy policies such as DuckDuckGo for search, ProtonMail for email, Vimeo for video sharing, and Brave for web browsing.
When using Google enable incognito or private browsing mode.
Read the privacy policies for websites, mobile apps, or other services before using them.
