googles-gemini-ai-could-soon-gain-full-access-to-your-search-history
Google Gemini may soon gain access to your Google Search history (with permission)
NurPhoto via Getty ImagesWhat does your search history say about you? Google may soon make it much easier to find out, thanks to a new Gemini AI chatbot that can rummage through your search history to give you more personalized responses.
As discovered in a recent Android Authority investigation aided by software sleuth Assemble Debug, Google is prepping a new experimental Gemini Personalization model designed to give you “help based on your Search history.” The Personalization option is not yet available to users, but Assemble Debug was able to enable it in the latest beta version of the Google Android app, where it is set to appear alongside Gemini’s existing AI chatbots.
The Personalization option differs significantly from Gemini’s other chatbots in that it asks you for permission to read your Google Search history before you begin. You’ll also need to turn on the Web & App Activity setting for the chatbot to work.
Once you’ve given Gemini access to your search history, you’ll be able to ask questions based on your previous usage of Google Search. The report shows Gemini can provide detailed responses to questions such as “Show me my search history” and “When did I search about Gemini.”
However, I feel this basic line of questioning will only scratch the surface of what Gemini Personalization can do. I’d be much more interested to see how people get on with more probing queries such as, “What would my therapist say about my search history?” or “ Which parts of my search history would you recommend deleting?”
The privacy concerns here should be obvious: Our search histories say a lot about us, and automated tools, especially powerful AI-based ones, significantly increase the ease with which this most personal information can be exploited.
Google has taken steps to address such concerns with clear messaging telling users how to disconnect their search history from Gemini should they choose to do so. Google also states that, “chats with this model are not used to improve Gemini or stored outside of your chat history. Chats are deleted from your Gemini Apps Activity after 60 days.”
However, should untrustworthy individuals gain access to your Gemini app, the potential for misuse remains high. On the other hand, I can foresee the increasing use of similar tools in law enforcement — this is just a taste of what is to come.
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