Khaberni - Google made it possible for its users to view, delete, or even stop future saving of stored voice recordings from its digital assistant Google Assistant, giving users full control over their privacy when using voice commands.
With increasing use of Google Assistant and voice search services, some studies have shown that the system may save parts of voice recordings when using commands like Hey Google or Ok Google.
These recordings are used to improve voice recognition services, but they raise privacy concerns.
Luckily, Google provides tools that enable users to view these recordings, delete them, or disable the save option for the future.
Users can easily do this through their account settings; enhancing their control over personal data and ensuring privacy protection.
Where can you find the recordings?
To access stored voice recordings, open your Google account from a browser or app and navigate to https://myactivity.google.com.
Under Web & App Activity settings, choose Manage Activity, and use the filter feature by date and product to select categories related to voice such as Assistant, Search, Maps.
Now, a list of items with a microphone icon will appear, and you can open each to listen to the stored recordings.
In this section, you can also find out details about each recording clip like the device used, the time, and the transcription of the spoken command.
Delete voice recordings
If you find recordings you don’t want to keep, you can delete them. To do this, open each recording you want to delete and choose Delete.
Filtering option can also be used to select specific time periods like "last hour" or "all time," and then delete the results all at once.
Through the auto-delete settings, you can specify a period such as 3, 18, or 36 months after which your activity will be automatically deleted.
In the same context, you can use voice commands like Hey Google, delete what I just said to delete the last voice interaction from some devices.
Stop saving recordings
If you do not want Google to save your voice recordings at all, go to Data & Privacy in your Google account settings, select Web & App Activity and deactivate the option to include voice & audio activity.
When this option is disabled, Google will still use voice to interpret commands, but it will not store them in your account on the servers.
While saving voice recordings can help Google improve its services and make recognition of your speech more accurate, your voice may contain personal or sensitive information.
Therefore, it is advised to periodically review these settings and ensure that you are taking care of your privacy in the way you want.
