Google Lens updates raise privacy concerns and expand user guides

In June 2026 Google changed the settings for Lens on Android and iOS so that captured photos, audio and video can be retained and used to train its artificial‑intelligence models unless the user disables the option. The change prompts privacy questions under the EU’s GDPR, and users must uncheck the "Include in web and app activity" flag in the Google account data‑and‑privacy section (Android) or via the Google app settings (iOS). Turning the setting off does not erase data already collected; users must manually delete Lens entries from their activity history.

Google Lens is a free visual‑search tool that identifies objects, text and places from images or directly through the camera. It works on smartphones, in Chrome, and via a web interface on PCs, offering functions such as instant translation, product lookup and contextual information.