Google · Google Privacy Policy

Voice and Audio Data Collection

High severity
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What it is

If you use audio features, we may collect and process voice and audio information when you use audio features, such as voice search, speech-to-text, or Assistant features.

Why it matters

Voice data is biometric in nature and may be subject to heightened legal protections under state laws like Illinois BIPA, and users are often unaware of the extent to which voice recordings are retained, reviewed, or used to improve Google's machine learning models.

Consumer impact

Google collects a wide range of personal data including location history, search queries, emails (for feature delivery), browsing activity on third-party sites via Google's ad network, voice and audio data, and device identifiers, combining these across all Google services to build detailed user profiles. This cross-service data combination powers Google's advertising business and means your activity on one Google product can influence what you see on entirely different products and third-party websites. You can review and delete your data, turn off ad personalization, and manage location history at myaccount.google.com/data-and-privacy.

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/product/assistant, select 'Delete activity by', choose 'All time', and confirm deletion to remove stored voice and audio recordings from your Google Account.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over Google's voice data collection practices under FTC Act Section 5 and COPPA where children's voice data is involved.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    Illinois AG and other state attorneys general have jurisdiction under state biometric privacy laws (BIPA) and consumer protection statutes over voice data collection practices.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Google Privacy Policy
Entity
Google
Document last updated
March 24, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 4, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-001906
Document ID
CA-D-00015
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
7ae2c5414225f559d94f625194b17341f89b75a40ea396c34fd6aba669517459
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Google | Document: Google Privacy Policy | Record: CA-P-001906
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:40:05 UTC | SHA-256: 7ae2c5414225f559…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/google/google-privacy-policy/voice-and-audio-data-collection/
Accessed: April 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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