Waymo is moving forward with plans to utilize data gathered from the interior cameras inside its robotaxi fleet—including footage associated directly with specific riders—to train generative artificial intelligence models. According to an unpublished update to the company’s privacy policy discovered by researcher Jane Manchun Wong, this data may also be shared to enable targeted advertising. Although Waymo has previously gathered personal information to enhance its services and marketing efforts, the addition of interior camera footage tied directly to rider identities represents a more controversial step toward harnessing customer behaviors and interactions for AI training.
Importantly, when this expanded data-gathering initiative is formally introduced, Waymo riders will have the chance to opt out. A draft version of the policy explicitly specifies that riders will be permitted to decline having their personal data—including video recordings—used for both AI training and data-sharing purposes, in accordance with data protection regulations like California’s privacy laws.
Julia Ilina, a spokesperson from Waymo, stressed that this feature remains under development, emphasizing that it would not fundamentally alter the existing privacy policy but instead introduce a clear mechanism enabling users to decline participation in data gathering and sharing. Currently, Waymo already leverages certain types of personal data to enhance safety, monitor cleanliness, locate passengers’ lost items, respond effectively in emergency situations, verify compliance with onboard policies, and improve overall service quality and customer experiences.
“All data gathered will strictly adhere to our existing Waymo One Privacy Policy,” said Ilina. She clarified that personal information collected by Waymo will not be shared with Alphabet affiliates for unrelated purposes unless explicitly approved by customers or required for operational service provision.
Waymo, an Alphabet-owned company, stands alone among autonomous vehicle companies as a provider already generating significant commercial revenues in the United States from robotaxi services. Recently, the company confirmed that it conducts more than 200,000 paid rides each week across its operational markets, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin—a nearly twentyfold increase from about 10,000 weekly rides recorded two years ago. Plans are underway to deploy commercial robotaxi fleets soon in Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C.
Yet, despite this rapid expansion and revenue growth, Waymo remains an unprofitable venture, representing an ongoing investment for Alphabet as it continues its aggressive push in autonomous transportation. Waymo currently falls financially within Alphabet’s “other bets” category, which reported an operating loss of $1.2 billion in the previous financial year.
Seeking fresh revenue channels like advertising and AI model training using customer data—including camera-generated recordings—could prove an important strategic complement to Waymo’s primary business operations. Alphabet recently invested an additional $5 billion into developing Waymo, while external investors contributed another $5.6 billion, raising the company’s overall valuation above $45 billion.
A finalized approach for informing riders of the new opt-out options has yet to be confirmed, according to Ilina. At present, Waymo is still evaluating potential ways it might communicate these privacy control options clearly and simply to users, either within its mobile app or through direct notifications. The development has already sparked deeper conversations about privacy among autonomous vehicle users and highlights broader concerns about transparency and the ethical use of data in today’s technology-driven marketplaces.
