Google asks users for permission to save voice commands

Google has sent an unknown number of users an email asking if they want to re-enable the storage of voice commands. Google wants to use the recordings again to improve Assistant, including by having them rated by people.

By default, saving audio is disabled, writes The Verge. In the email, Google asks to turn the saving of audio back on. Google directs users to a page where they can give their consent. “You can help improve the products you use by saving your audio from Google Search, Maps, and the Assistant so expert reviewers can analyze part of the recording,” Google said on that page.

Google stopped storing audio from voice commands last summer, after it turned out that people listen to part of the recordings to assess whether the digital assistant has understood the commands correctly. Google hadn’t mentioned that anywhere. The company was not alone in this. Amazon, Microsoft and Apple did the same and stopped doing so temporarily, but have started asking for permission to store voice commands for some time.

The fact that it is now off by default is a policy change. Previously this was on by default. In addition, users in their account should now be able to find and delete the recordings more easily if they wish. The audio was initially linked to the account and during that period Google promises that the sound clips will not yet go to human reviewers. This only happens when the audio is no longer linked to the account.

Update, 8:38 PM: Google says that it has always only saved recordings after permission from users. Until mid-2018, having the audio saved was mandatory for the use of Assistant.