Waymo AI Training & Rider Privacy: Opt-Out Option Available
Waymo's Plans to Utilize Robotaxi Data for Generative AI Training
Waymo is reportedly preparing to leverage data gathered from its robotaxi fleet – including video footage from interior cameras linked to rider identification – to facilitate the training of generative AI models. This information stems from an unpublished iteration of Waymo’s privacy policy, discovered by researcher Jane Manchun Wong, and raises concerns regarding the potential repurposing of rider behavior within autonomous vehicles for AI development.
Data Sharing and Personalization
The draft policy also indicates that Waymo may share rider data to enhance ad personalization. Currently, Waymo already collects personal data to refine its services and for advertising, as outlined in its existing privacy guidelines.
A key change with the upcoming feature will be the provision of an “opt-out” option for riders. This will allow them to prevent their personal information from being sold, shared, or utilized for AI training purposes.
“This feature, still in development, won’t alter Waymo’s Privacy Policy,” explained Julia Ilina, a Waymo spokesperson, to TechCrunch. “Instead, it will offer riders the ability to decline data collection specifically for machine learning training.”
Privacy Policy Details
The unreleased privacy page clarifies: “Waymo may share data to refine and analyze its functionality and to customize products, services, advertisements, and offers based on your preferences. You retain the right to opt out of sharing your information with third parties, except when essential for service operation.”
While this type of data sharing is common practice, the inclusion of camera data introduces a heightened level of privacy concern.
The draft language specifically states: “Opt out of Waymo, or its affiliates, utilizing your personal information (inclusive of interior camera data connected to your identity) for training generative AI.”
Data Usage for Improvement
Ilina emphasized that Waymo employs personal data to train AI models for various purposes. These include enhancing safety, maintaining vehicle cleanliness, locating lost items, providing emergency assistance, ensuring adherence to in-car regulations, and generally improving products and services.
“All data collected by Waymo will comply with the Waymo One Privacy Policy,” Ilina affirmed. “This policy explicitly states that Waymo will not share personal information gathered through our products and services with other Alphabet companies without user consent, for providing services to Waymo, or as detailed in the Privacy Policy’s sharing section.”
Alphabet's AI Initiatives
It’s important to note that other Alphabet companies, such as Google and DeepMind, are also actively involved in AI development.
When questioned about how riders will be informed about the opt-out option, Ilina stated that the company is still finalizing its notification and deployment strategies.
Waymo's Growth and Financials
Currently, Waymo is the sole autonomous vehicle company generating revenue from robotaxi services in the United States. As of February, the company is completing over 200,000 paid robotaxi rides each week across Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin.
This represents a significant increase from the 10,000 rides per week recorded just two years prior, signaling continued expansion as Waymo targets new markets. The company plans to launch commercial services in Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C., within the next two years.
Despite this growth, Waymo likely remains unprofitable for Alphabet, potentially driving the exploration of alternative revenue streams like in-vehicle advertising and data sharing for generative AI models.
Investment and Expenses
Last year, Alphabet invested an additional $5 billion into Waymo, and the company secured a further $5.6 billion from external investors, elevating its valuation to over $45 billion.
Waymo continues to invest heavily in research and development, as well as the costs associated with expansion. This includes growing its vehicle fleet, procuring specialized equipment, maintaining vehicles, and establishing charging infrastructure.
The timeline for Waymo to achieve profitability remains unclear. Alphabet does not disclose Waymo’s financial performance in its earnings reports, instead including it within the “other bets” section of its balance sheet, which reported an operating loss of $1.2 billion in 2024.
This article was originally published April 7, 2025 at 9:04 am PT and has been updated with the latest information from Waymo.
