Google Gemini · Gemini Apps Privacy Notice

18-Month Default Conversation Data Retention

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What it is

Gemini Apps Activity is saved to your Google Account for 18 months by default. If you use Gemini Apps through your school account, your Gemini Apps Activity is saved for 18 months. For Workspace accounts, admins can configure retention settings. Even after deletion, conversation data may be retained for a safety and quality review period.

Why it matters

An 18-month retention window means your AI conversations — which may include sensitive personal, medical, or financial details — are stored far longer than most users would expect, and persist even after account deletion.

Consumer impact

Every conversation you have with Google Gemini is stored by Google for up to 18 months by default and may be read by human reviewers for safety and quality purposes, meaning sensitive personal information shared in chats could be accessed by Google employees. Your Gemini conversation data may also be used to train and improve Google's AI models unless you opt out, creating a persistent data footprint that extends well beyond the immediate session. You can turn off Gemini Apps Activity at myactivity.google.com to stop future conversations from being saved, and you can delete past conversations from your Gemini activity history on that same page.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Delete Your Data
    Go to myactivity.google.com, select 'Gemini Apps Activity', and either delete individual conversations or turn off activity saving entirely to stop future conversations from being stored.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over unfair or deceptive data retention practices under Section 5 of the FTC Act, including failure to adequately disclose default retention periods for AI conversation data.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Gemini Apps Privacy Notice
Entity
Google Gemini
Document last updated
March 24, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
April 1, 2026
Last verified
April 4, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-001914
Document ID
CA-D-00326
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
9b9edfeccea7241d0339a2dd92ce4e8b8887175494530337468b46711a554158
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Google Gemini | Document: Gemini Apps Privacy Notice | Record: CA-P-001914
Captured: 2026-04-01 14:52:43 UTC | SHA-256: 9b9edfeccea7241d…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/google-gemini/gemini-apps-privacy-notice/18-month-default-conversation-data-retention/
Accessed: April 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
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