As major technology companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Meta continue to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday technology products, the question arises: did consumers really want it? Feedback from my readers suggests that many people feel overwhelmed by the pervasive presence of artificial intelligence in technology, which they find increasingly difficult to ignore. These companies are leveraging user engagement to refine their AI algorithms through constant interaction with their products.
When you ask Google a question like “Is Jay-Z left-handed?”, an AI-generated summary appears at the top of the search results. Likewise, using Instagram’s search tool now likely involves interacting with Meta’s AI chatbot, Meta AI. With Apple’s next product update, AI tools will be integrated into everyday features like text editing and photo adjustments, making them more visible and active.
This widespread use of AI raises significant privacy concerns, as these companies could use our data to power and improve their AI systems. This can be more than just an inconvenience; often leads to mistrust among users, especially when tools don’t work as expected.
However, you can turn off some of these features. After contacting Microsoft, Meta, Apple and Google, I have compiled a guide on how to disable their AI features and data collection where feasible.
Google introduced AI overviews to automatically summarize search queries. Despite initial hiccups, such as the bizarre suggestion that the glue could be a pizza topping, the functionality has been perfected. While you can’t turn off these summaries entirely, you can avoid them by selecting the “Web” tab after entering a search to restore traditional results.
To stop Google from recording your search history, go to myactivity.google.com and turn off “Web & App Activity.” For those using Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, privacy settings to prevent data storage can be changed at myactivity.google.com/product/gemini.
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Meta’s artificial intelligence, introduced in its apps like Instagram and WhatsApp, helps users find flights, generate images or create recipes. There is currently no option to completely disable Meta AI. In regions with strict data protection laws, such as the EU and the UK, users have more control over their personal data used for AI training. Others can request data deletion by visiting Meta’s third-party data usage support page.
Microsoft
Microsoft’s AI chatbot, Copilot, is integrated into the Edge browser and Bing search and can be avoided by simply not enabling it. To remove it from Edge, go to edge://settings, go to “Sidebar,” then “App & Notification Settings,” and disable Copilot. To prevent Copilot from using your data for AI training, visit copilot.microsoft.com and change the privacy settings in your account.
LinkedIn users concerned about their data being used for AI training can disable it in the “Data for GenAI Improvement” section under “Settings and Privacy.”
Apple
Apple’s new AI suite, Apple Intelligence, requires user consent and includes features like photo editing improvements. If you decide not to use Apple Intelligence, you can turn it off in settings, thus removing the associated features.
Apple says it protects user privacy by processing data on its servers only when necessary and not storing it afterwards.
The evolution of AI in consumer technology is a double-edged sword, offering both innovative features and potential privacy risks. Understanding how to manage these settings allows users to maintain control over their digital environments.
