""Google already possesses unprecedented troves of user search and AI chat data, and such intimate data could be merged with both user data from other Google services and third-party retailer data to drive consumer behavior in an exploitative manner," Warren writes, while also questioning whether Google will prioritize shopping results from retail partners over competitors. Warren adds that the company has already admitted that it will use "sensitive data to help retailers upsell consumers into buying a more 'premium' product.""
"The UCP is supposed to make it easier for AI agents to communicate with retailers, but Warren wants to know just how much user information - and what kinds - Google plans on providing to retailers through this pipeline. In addition to a series of questions about user privacy, Warren is asking Google for information about how user data will affect pricing, as well as whether it will inform users when Gemini suggests a product "based on upselling objectives, advertising incentives, or sensitive user data." Google has until February 17th to respond."
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has asked Google for detailed information about plans to integrate a checkout feature into the Gemini AI chatbot using the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP). She warned that Google and retail partners could exploit or merge user search, AI chat, and other Google service data with third-party retailer data to influence consumer behavior and pricing. The inquiry requests specifics on what user information will be shared, whether retail partners will receive preferential results, how data might affect pricing, and whether Gemini will disclose when suggestions are driven by upselling, advertising incentives, or sensitive data. Google must respond by February 17.
Read at The Verge
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