MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 15 (San Francisco News Online) — Google is rolling out a new Search setting called Search Services History that can store more than typed search terms. According to Google’s settings and notifications, the feature can collect activity from Search services when a person is signed in to a Google Account, including Lens images, voice search recordings, Search Live recordings and transcripts, Translate speaking-practice audio, uploaded files and related activity information.
What is Search Services History?
Search Services History is a new privacy control tied to Google Search. Google’s documentation describes it as a way to save activity from search-related tools so it can be revisited later. The setting is being added gradually, so some accounts may not see it yet.
Google’s rollout notices say that if the new control has not reached an account, Web & App Activity may still control some Search services history for that user until the update arrives.
What is the Save Media setting?
Under Search Services History, Google also offers a Save Media sub-setting. When it is turned on, Google can save media involved in Search interactions.
Google’s documentation says saved media may be used “to develop and improve Google services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures.” One Google spokesperson, Davis Thompson, said the new controls are meant to help people get more relevant results and revisit searches, and that they can be turned on or off at any time.
What kinds of data can it include?
The settings and notices described in Google’s documentation say the feature may cover:
- Google Lens images
- Voice search recordings
- Search Live recordings and transcripts
- Translate speaking-practice audio
- Uploaded files
- Other activity connected to Search services
One report based on Google’s documentation says the policy applies across several Google products, including Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, News, AI Mode and Ask Maps threads that include file uploads.
Is this the same as Web & App Activity?
Google’s notices describe Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations as separate controls. That means the company is splitting some search-related privacy settings out from the older Web & App Activity menu.
There is one important caution: the rollout is not complete for everyone, and Google says some accounts may still rely on Web & App Activity for part of this tracking until the new setting appears.
How can users turn it off?
Google says users can review the setting in Google My Activity. From there, they can turn off Search Services History or uncheck Save Media.
Turning off Save Media does not automatically delete items already saved. Google’s documentation says media already selected for AI training is no longer connected to the account and may be kept for up to four years. Users who want those items removed may need to delete saved media from the account separately.
What is not fully clear yet?
Google’s notices show the feature is still rolling out, and reporting on the change is not fully consistent on timing or on how long older controls will remain in effect. What is clear is that Google is making search-related privacy settings more specific, and that some voice, image and file uploads may now be covered by a setting separate from the older activity controls.
