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Waymo may use interior camera data to train generative AI models, sell ads
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company, is preparing to utilize data from its robotaxis, including video footage from internal cameras linked to rider identities, to train generative AI models. This revelation raises concerns about how much of a rider’s behavior inside autonomous vehicles could be repurposed for AI training and marketing.
According to an unreleased version of Waymo’s privacy policy found by researcher Jane Manchun Wong, the company may share this data to improve and analyze its functionality and tailor products, services, ads, and offers to users’ interests. Riders are given the option to prevent their personal information, as defined by California’s privacy laws, from being shared or sold.
This newly discovered language is a significant shift in how Waymo intends to use interior camera data. The company allows riders to opt-out of sharing their personal information for training generative AI models and also gives them the choice to not have their data used for personalized ads.
The draft language reveals that Waymo may be exploring new revenue streams, including in-vehicle advertising and data sharing for generative AI models. The autonomous vehicle company aims to launch a commercial service in Atlanta, Miami, and Washington D.C. over the next two years.
Waymo’s financial situation is uncertain, as Alphabet doesn’t break out its financials in its earnings report. Instead, Waymo is included in Alphabet’s “other bets” section of its balance sheet, which recorded an operating loss of $1.2 billion in 2024.
It remains unclear what type of interior data the cameras capture or whether Waymo is using the data to train in-house models or sharing it with other Alphabet companies working on AI like Google or DeepMind.
TechCrunch has reached out to Waymo for more information and will update this post if the company responds.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/07/waymo-may-use-interior-camera-data-to-train-generative-ai-models-sell-ads/
