Waymo’s Innovative Use of Interior Camera Data for Generative AI: Riders Can Choose to Opt-Out
Waymo is set to leverage data from its robotaxis, including video footage captured by interior cameras linked to rider identities, to enhance generative AI models. This revelation, uncovered by researcher Jane Manchun Wong, raises significant questions about the extent of rider behavior data that could be used for AI training purposes.
Waymo’s New Data Sharing Initiative
The unreleased privacy policy draft indicates that Waymo may begin sharing rider data to personalize advertisements. While this practice is not entirely new, as Waymo has been collecting personal data to improve services and for advertising, the proposed changes highlight the evolving nature of data usage.
Opt-Out Options for Riders
With the introduction of this feature, riders will have the chance to opt out of having their personal information utilized for AI training or sold to third parties. According to Julia Ilina, a spokesperson for Waymo, the feature is still under development and will not alter the existing privacy policy but will provide an option for riders to manage their data more effectively.
The draft states: “Waymo may share data to improve and analyze its functionality and to tailor products, services, ads, and offers to your interests. You can opt out of sharing your information with third parties unless it’s essential for the functioning of the service.” This inclusion of camera data significantly raises privacy concerns among users.
Data Utilization for Safety and Improvement
Ilina emphasized that Waymo utilizes personal data to train AI models for various purposes, including:
- Enhancing safety features
- Ensuring vehicle cleanliness
- Locating lost items
- Providing emergency assistance
- Monitoring in-car rules adherence
- Overall product and service improvement
According to Ilina, “Any data Waymo collects will adhere to the Waymo One Privacy Policy,” which explicitly states that personal information will not be shared with other Alphabet companies without user consent, except as detailed in the privacy policy.
Waymo’s Growth and Financial Outlook
Waymo currently stands out as the only autonomous vehicle company generating revenue from robotaxi services in the United States. As of February, the company has recorded over 200,000 paid robotaxi rides weekly across major cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin. This is a significant increase from just 10,000 rides per week two years ago.
Despite this impressive growth, Waymo continues to face financial challenges. Alphabet recently invested an additional $5 billion into Waymo, while the company secured $5.6 billion from external investors, raising its valuation to over $45 billion. However, Waymo remains heavily invested in research and development, fleet expansion, specialized equipment, and infrastructure, contributing to ongoing operational losses.
Waymo’s financial performance is categorized under Alphabet’s “other bets” section, which reported an operating loss of $1.2 billion in 2024. The timeline for achieving profitability remains uncertain, as Alphabet does not disclose detailed financials for Waymo in its earnings reports.
For more insights into Waymo’s advancements and privacy policies, check out their official privacy page.
