Does Google Lens store my data?

Yes, Google Lens temporarily stores data when you use it to search for an image. When you upload a picture or scan something using Google Lens, the image is sent to Google’s servers. This data is used to improve Google’s services, and you can fortunately delete entries that you don’t want to be stored from within the Google Lens app. While Google claims that this data is stored securely, your search history could be stolen and posted online if it faced a serious data breach. You should be proactive against this possibility by regularly clearing your search history and using dark web monitoring services to scan online data brokers for your personal information (like the kind included with Norton subscriptions).

Can Google Lens detect personal information in photos?

Yes, Google Lens can detect your information if it’s visible in the image. This includes text on documents, business cards, and other personal data like names and addresses. Lens uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and object detection, which lets it analyze every minute detail within a picture.

Can someone find me using Google Lens?

Yes, but it’s not guaranteed. Google Lens scans for publicly available images online that match whatever is uploaded. This means that if your social media accounts are publicly available, someone could scan a picture of you and find you if that picture is linked to that account. Someone can also find you using Lens if you upload pictures with sensitive personal information, like your address.

Is it safe to use Google Lens?

From a technical perspective, yes. From a privacy perspective, I don’t think so. Google Lens encrypts data during transit, plus you can use a good VPN to encrypt your network traffic for an extra layer of protection. But, Google stores and analyzes your data when you upload images to be scanned. The retention period isn’t exactly clear either. Plus, it makes it even harder to find any privacy while online. Now, all someone has to do is upload a picture of you that they found and they might be able to learn exactly who you are and potentially even where you live.

Articles by Tyler Cross

Tyler Cross

Tyler is a writer at SafetyDetectives with a passion for researching all things tech and cybersecurity. Prior to joining the SafetyDetectives team, he worked with cybersecurity products hands-on for more than five years, including password managers, antiviruses, and VPNs and learned everything about their use cases and function. When he isn't working as a "SafetyDetective", he enjoys studying history, researching investment opportunities, writing novels, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends.