TL;DR
A tech writer audited their Google account for 2026, turning off several data-collection toggles while keeping some core services active. Key changes included disabling Gemini’s long-term memory, limiting stored activity to three months, removing voice and visual search history, and pruning third-party app permissions.
What happened
The author performed a step-by-step privacy audit of a Google Account to reduce long-term profiling while preserving day-to-day usefulness. They found Gemini (Google’s AI assistant) using past chats by default and switched off the 'Your past chats with Gemini' memory toggle under Gemini Settings > Personal Context. In Gemini’s Activity controls they disabled Keep Activity and set an automatic three-month deletion window, noting a short-term buffer of up to 72 hours and that activity samples can be used to train models and may be reviewed by human annotators, per Google. Within Web & App Activity the writer left the main switch on but turned off sub-toggles for voice and audio activity and visual search history to avoid storing MP3 voice clips and photos from Lens. They also used My Ad Center to limit sensitive ad topics (enabling limits for Gambling and Weight Loss) and removed unused third-party app permissions from the account.
Why it matters
- Gemini’s default memory creates a persistent profile from past chats and content unless explicitly disabled.
- Audio and visual histories can include highly personal material (voice recordings, photos) that many users may not expect to be archived.
- Ad personalization can surface sensitive topics; My Ad Center offers controls to reduce exposure to certain categories.
- Third-party sign-ins can retain access tokens indefinitely, so pruning unused permissions reduces ongoing exposure.
- Short-term retention and possible human review mean turning off settings doesn’t always immediately erase all traces of activity.
Key facts
- Gemini’s memory feature that references past chats is switched on by default; the setting is at Gemini Settings > Personal Context.
- The author turned off 'Your past chats with Gemini' to stop Gemini from building a long-term profile.
- Gemini Activity shows every prompt, file, and photo shared with the AI; there is an option to automatically delete data after three months.
- Even with activity turned off, Google retains a short-term buffer of up to 72 hours for safety and may use samples to train models; Google says data reviewed by humans is anonymized.
- Deleting activity from a Gemini Live chat removes related audio, transcripts, and recordings for that conversation.
- Web & App Activity is the main control for search history, synced Chrome history, Maps queries, Play Store activity and more.
- Sub-toggles inside Web & App Activity include 'Include voice and audio activity' and 'Include Visual Search History'; the author turned both off.
- My Ad Center (myadcenter.google.com) lets users customize ad topics and limit sensitive categories such as Alcohol, Gambling, Dating, Weight Loss, and Pregnancy & Parenting.
- The writer enabled limits for Gambling and Weight Loss ads to reduce exposure to unwanted or potentially harmful ad content.
- Unused third-party apps and services with Google sign-in tokens can be revoked via Manage your Google Account > Third-party apps & services.
What to watch next
- Google’s product settings and defaults can change; the author notes Google will likely update settings and tracking methods over time.
- How Google balances short-term buffers and human review with user deletion requests (not confirmed in the source).
- Whether new Gemini features or integrations expand the contexts where personal context is collected (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Gemini: Google’s generative AI assistant integrated across apps such as Docs, Maps, and a dedicated mobile app.
- Web & App Activity: A Google Account setting that controls the collection of search queries, synced Chrome history, Maps queries, Play Store activity and related data.
- My Ad Center: Google’s tool for managing ad personalization and limiting ad topics, including a section for sensitive categories.
- Visual Search / Lens: Google’s visual search features that analyze photos to identify objects, translate text, or provide product information; images can be saved to history unless disabled.
- Third-party app permission tokens: Authentication keys granted to external apps and services via 'Sign in with Google' that can retain access until revoked.
Reader FAQ
Does Gemini save past chats by default?
Yes — Gemini’s memory that references past chats is enabled by default; you can disable it under Gemini Settings > Personal Context.
If I turn off activity, does Google immediately delete all data?
No — the author notes a short-term buffer of up to 72 hours and that Google may use activity samples to train models; Google says human reviewers see anonymized data.
Will turning off Web & App Activity break Google services?
Turning it off reduces personalization and can make some features less useful; the author describes the ecosystem as becoming difficult to use if the main switch is fully disabled.
Does deleting a Gemini Live chat remove its recordings?
Yes — deleting activity from Gemini Live removes related audio, transcripts, and recordings for that chat.
Can I stop seeing sensitive ad topics?
You can limit specific sensitive categories via My Ad Center, but blocking all ads requires network-level tools or modified clients (not practical for most users).
I reset my Google Account privacy settings for 2026 — here's what I switched off Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police By Ben Khalesi Published 12 minutes ago Ben Khalesi writes…
Sources
- I reset my Google Account privacy settings for 2026 — here's what I switched off
- Google to shut down dark web report feature in 2026
- Own Your Own Privacy Stack: Stretch Privacy Goals for 2026
- Google Privacy Settings You Should Change Right Now
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