- Google has announced new privacy settings for the “Activity Controls” that apply across all Google search services.
- Search/usage history and personalization data, previously managed collectively under “Web & App Activity,” will now be split into two separate settings: “Search Service History” and “Personalized Recommendations.”
- With “Search Service History” turned on, images used in Google Lens, as well as audio and video uploaded for searches, will be saved in your search activity as “media” used during the search.
In early June 2026, Google announced new privacy settings applicable to the “Activity Controls” for Google search services, including Google Search, Google Maps, Google Shopping, Google Hotels, Google Flights, Google Translate, and Google News.
“Activity Controls” is a data management setting within your “Google Account” where your Google service usage history is stored. Under these new privacy settings, the search/usage history and personalization information, previously managed collectively as “Web & App Activity,” will now be divided into two distinct settings: “Search Service History” and “Personalized Recommendations.” You will be able to toggle these on or off independently—for example, you can turn off “Search Service History” while keeping “Personalized Recommendations” enabled, or vice versa.
Additionally, if “Search Service History” is enabled, images used in searches (such as via Google Lens) and audio or video uploaded for search purposes will be saved as “media” used during your search. Previously, the system saved text-based keywords along with audio and images; now, videos will also be saved, allowing you to review your search history across keywords, audio, images, and videos.
There will also be a “Save Media” setting within “Search Service History,” allowing you to disable the saving of images, audio, or video used in your searches if you prefer. This transition from “Web & App Activity” to the new “Search Service History” and “Personalized Recommendations” structure is expected to roll out within the next few days.
For your information, when “Web & App Activity” is split into “Search Service History” and “Personalized Recommendations,” your current settings from “Web & App Activity” will be carried over. The “Auto-delete” option for history will also remain available without any changes.
Source：Google