Google Gemini · Gemini Apps Privacy Notice · View original document ↗

18-Month Default Conversation Retention

High severity Unique · 0 of 325 platforms
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Recent governance activity Google Gemini recorded 7 documented changes in the last 30 days.
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This analysis describes what Google Gemini's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

The provision operationalizes data retention policies by creating a default retention window, permitting users to modify retention duration, and establishing distinct processing pathways based on Activity status. This structure affects both data lifecycle management and the use of conversational data for model training purposes.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Apr 30, 2026

The updated notice now explicitly identifies Memory as a feature that operates on the basis of user consent, alongside Voice Match. The revised language removes prior geographic restrictions on personalization, meaning Gemini can now reference chat history to generate personalized insights for all users globally, not just those outside the EEA, Switzerland, and the UK. The removal of the statement 'Keep Activity must be on to use this feature' simplifies the operational requirement but does not establish a new obligation. You can learn how to turn the Memory feature on or off through the updated privacy notice.

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Medium Mar 27, 2026

The updated privacy notice now discloses that Gemini can use data from connected Google apps and imported memory or chats from other AI platforms to personalize your experience and to improve services, including training generative AI models. This data is treated similarly to other Gemini activity. You can manage or delete your imported activity anytime through the Activity controls.

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Medium Mar 23, 2026

The updated privacy notice no longer discloses how Google Gemini uses data from connected Google apps to personalize user experience. Previously, the policy explained eligibility requirements and the opt-in process for this personalization feature. The removal means users no longer have a documented disclosure of this data practice in the privacy notice itself, though the operational status of the Connected Apps feature and whether it remains available is not clarified by this change.

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Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users operating under the default configuration have conversations retained for 18 months and included in model improvement processes; users may adjust this retention period through the specified options. Users who disable Activity operate under a different data processing model where conversations are not retained or used for training, though temporary processing continues.

How other platforms handle this

WhatsApp Medium

We store information until it is no longer necessary to provide our services and WhatsApp Products, or until your account is deleted or becomes inactive, whichever comes first. This is a case-by-case determination that depends on things like the nature of the information, why it is collected and pro...

Roblox Medium

You may request deletion of your account at any time. When you request account deletion, we will delete or anonymize your personal information unless we are required to retain it by law, or unless we need to retain it for legitimate business purposes such as resolving disputes, enforcing our agreeme...

Windsurf Medium

Slack (Sees no code data): We use Slack for internal communications. We may discuss logs of data for debugging purposes from users that are not using Zero-data retention mode. Google Workspace (Sees no code data): We use Google Workspace for collaboration. We may discuss logs of data for debugging p...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
When Gemini Apps Activity is turned on, your conversations with Gemini are saved to your Google Account and used to improve Google's AI models. Conversations are typically retained for 18 months, but you can choose 3 or 36 months retention. When Gemini Apps Activity is paused or turned off, your conversations aren't saved to your account and aren't used to improve Google's AI models — though Google still temporarily processes your conversations to provide the service.

— Excerpt from Google Gemini's Gemini Apps Privacy Notice

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
UK GDPR
United Kingdom

Provision details

Document information
Document
Gemini Apps Privacy Notice
Entity
Google Gemini
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 10, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-001605
Document ID
CA-D-00326
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
d426afff362d09899b216ff87ee56636f0153c90c344ada869c6a4501c1ef7ba
Analysis generated
May 10, 2026 08:54 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Google Gemini
Document: Gemini Apps Privacy Notice
Record ID: CA-P-001605
Captured: 2026-05-10 08:54:31 UTC
SHA-256: d426afff362d0989…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/google-gemini/gemini-apps-privacy-notice/18-month-default-conversation-retention/
Accessed: May 20, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Google Gemini's 18-Month Default Conversation Retention clause do?

The provision operationalizes data retention policies by creating a default retention window, permitting users to modify retention duration, and establishing distinct processing pathways based on Activity status. This structure affects both data lifecycle management and the use of conversational data for model training purposes.

How does this clause affect you?

Users operating under the default configuration have conversations retained for 18 months and included in model improvement processes; users may adjust this retention period through the specified options. Users who disable Activity operate under a different data processing model where conversations are not retained or used for training, though temporary processing continues.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Google Gemini?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google Gemini.