Google Now Lets You Control Assistant Data Uptake From Google App, Also Eases Deleting Voice Log

Google laid a considerable amount of stress on the privacy aspect of its ecosystem at Google I/O 2019, promising to give users more control over their data. Well, it appears that Google has started taking steps to put the plans in action by making it easier for users to control the amount of data collected by the eponymous virtual assistant straight from the Google app. Rather than going to Google's My Activity page, one can now specify what data the Google Assistant can access using the Google app on their phone. Also, users can now erase the entire log of their voice commands from Google Assistant's database.

Earlier, users had to open the My Activity page – which was launched back in 2016 – on a browser to let them delete their activity log like search history, video watching log, etc. or choose to selectively preserve them for better recommendations. Google is making the process easier by letting users access those data control tools from the Google app itself. The new Google App tool called ‘Your data in the Assistant' was spotted by Android Police.

However, it appears that this feature is being rolled out in a phased manner. We could find the new ‘Your data in the Assistant' option in the Google app on a phone running Android Q Beta 3. It is not available on the Google app installed on another phone running Android Pie, despite running the same build of the Google app. Here's how you can control your data collection preferences in the Google Assistant app: Google App > More > Settings > Google Assistant > Your data in the Assistant.

Under the ‘Your data in the Assistant' page, users can check the complete log of the past activity recorded by the Google assistant, and also specify whether Google can have access to data such as voice and audio activity, Web and app activity, device information, and more. Below it users can see details of how Google utilises the user data to improve the user experience.

One can now delete the entire log of voice data collected by Google Assistant

Additionally, there's now also a way to delete the log all voice commands directed at the Google Assistant. To clear the cache of all voice activity, users can head over to the My Activity page and follow these steps: My Activity > Delete Activity by >Assistant (under ‘All products') > Delete.

However, if you want to delete the initial voice enrolment sample while setting up the Google Assistant for the first time, it is also possible from the My Activity dashboard. It can be done following these steps: My Activity > Other Google activity > Voice Match enrolment > View data > Delete all.

Users can also choose to shut down all voice data collection in its entirety going forward. It can be done by heading over to the My Activity page and following these steps: My Activity > Activity controls > Voice & Audio Activity > Switch off the blue toggle.