Apr 08, 2025 10:29:00

Self-driving car developer Waymo may use in-car camera data to personalize ads and train generative AI models

Waymo , a self-driving car development company and a sister company of Google, is developing taxi services without human drivers. It has become clear that Waymo has changed its privacy policy and may use data from its in-car cameras to personalize ads and train generative AI.

Waymo may use interior camera data to train generative AI models, sell ads | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/07/waymo-may-use-interior-camera-data-to-train-generative-ai-models-sell-ads/

Security researcher Jane Wong discovered Waymo's proposed privacy policy, which will be added in the future, which includes the following clause: 'Waymo may share data to improve and analyze its features and to tailor its products, services, advertising, and offers to your interests. You may opt out of sharing your information with third parties except as necessary for the services to function.'

Specifically, it states that the company will 'share customer data with third parties,' 'use in-car cameras to personalize advertisements,' and 'train generative AI (GAI).'

Waymo is working on Generative AI training using “interior camera data associated with rider's identity,” provides opt-opts for this and data sharing under CCPA

Waymo explicitly states in this unreleased Privacy page it may share your data for personalized ads pic.twitter.com/wDUu867Eh3

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) April 5, 2025

In addition, California's CCPA requires companies to offer customers the option to prevent their personal information from being shared or sold, which is why Waymo offers an opt-out requirement in its 'Privacy' settings.

TechCrunch, a technology media outlet, pointed out that 'It is not clear what internal data is used to train the generative AI, or how the generative AI trained using data from the in-car camera will be used. It is also not clear what data, such as facial expressions and body language, the in-car camera captures. ' It also raised the question, 'Is Waymo using the data to train its own AI models, or is it sharing the data with other Alphabet companies working on AI development, such as Google and DeepMind?'

Waymo has not commented on the report.

Waymo has announced that it will begin testing in Tokyo in early 2025 as part of its efforts to improve its self-driving technology.

Finally, Waymo, the self-driving car company, will expand to Japan, partnering with Nihon Kotsu and GO to start testing in Tokyo from early 2025 - GIGAZINE