mining personal Google search history by Gemini to uncover true identity
In a recent development, Google's AI-powered assistant, Gemini, has introduced a new personalisation feature. This feature uses your search history and past chats to provide increasingly personalised and context-aware responses[1].
When you opt into "Personalization (experimental)" in Gemini, the system analyses your prompts alongside your previous searches to tailor answers specifically to your interests and prior activity. This helps you brainstorm, get recommendations, and quickly recall past queries more effectively[1]. Furthermore, Gemini references earlier chat conversations to recall preferences, making interactions feel like a continuous collaboration with memory of your past context[2].
This personalisation requires your explicit permission—you must opt in and can revoke access anytime. Google emphasises that your search data is secure, controlled by you, and used only with your consent. You can manage your search and chat history, opt out of personalisation, or delete past records if desired[1][4].
Privacy implications have been addressed with the introduction of privacy controls such as Temporary Chats, which allow you to have conversations that do not influence future responses or get saved beyond 72 hours, helping separate sensitive topics from your main data pool[2]. Additionally, Google states that these features comply with privacy requirements and give users control, including the ability to turn off "Gemini Apps Activity" (renamed "Keep Activity") which affects whether data is used to improve services[2][4].
However, some personalisation features are not available in certain regions like the European Economic Area, UK, or Switzerland, where privacy regulation is stringent[4].
The personalisation feature can be particularly useful in suggesting topics based on your interests. For instance, a user might be suggested content about smartphones and Android devices, Tamagotchi, retro tech, old cell phones from the 2000s, and parenting and mental health based on their search history[5]. Users can even ask Gemini what to pursue as a hobby.
It's worth noting that the feature will only use a user's search history when advanced reasoning models determine that it's actually helpful. If the user wishes to avoid AI bringing up certain search queries, they should use a search engine like DuckDuckGo for those sensitive searches[5].
The feature is currently available for Gemini and Gemini Advanced subscribers, but Google is rolling out Gems to all users, regardless of subscription[3]. Moreover, Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model has been added to the service[3].
In addition, Gemini is improving at handling cross-app requests between Google's different services, like Calendar and Photos[5]. DeepResearch has also been made free to the public[6].
If users decide to disconnect their search history from being linked to Gemini, they can continue unbothered. However, this may result in less personalised responses[5].
In summary, Gemini leverages your search and chat history to create a more relevant, personalised AI experience controllable by opt-in settings, with safeguards like Temporary Chats and explicit data management controls to mitigate privacy concerns. Nonetheless, this personalisation inherently involves processing personal data, requiring users to actively manage their preferences to safeguard their privacy.
[1] https://www.google.com/gemini/personalization/ [2] https://www.google.com/gemini/privacy/ [3] https://www.google.com/gemini/features/ [4] https://www.google.com/gemini/privacy/optout/ [5] Based on user's search history [6] https://research.google.com/deep-research/
- The new personalization feature in Google's AI-powered assistant, Gemini, utilizes technology such as artificial intelligence and your search history to deliver increasingly personalized and contextually aware responses.
- Using the "Personalization (experimental)" option in Gemini allows the system to analyze your prompts and previous searches, tailoring answers to your interests and prior activity, enhancing brainstorming, recommendation, and recall of past queries.
- Some regions like the European Economic Area, UK, or Switzerland may not have access to certain personalization features due to stricter privacy regulations.
- With privacy controls implemented, such as Temporary Chats and explicit data management options, users can manage their search and chat history, opt out of personalization, or delete past records, ensuring their personal data is secure and under their control.
