Using the free Gemini API in your app? Google may use what users type
Source checked 10 Oct 2026 · Published 23 Oct 2026 · Last reviewed 23 Oct 2026 · By Ctrl+Z Therapy (how we test)
The short answer
Google's Gemini API terms say that on Unpaid Services, including Google AI Studio and the unpaid quota on the Gemini API, Google uses the content you submit and any generated responses to provide, improve, and develop Google products and services and machine learning technologies. Human reviewers may read, annotate, and process your API input and output, after it's disconnected from your account, key and project. On Paid Services, including the paid quota of the Gemini API, Google doesn't use your prompts or responses to improve its products.
What to do
- Check whether your app's Gemini API key comes from a Cloud project with an active billing account. The Gemini API counts as a paid service only through such a project.
- On the unpaid quota, follow the terms: do not submit sensitive, confidential, or personal information.
- Ask your AI tool: "Find where this app sends user text to the Gemini API, and tell me whether it uses a key from a Cloud project with billing turned on or the free quota."
Good to know
- If you're in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom, the paid-service data terms apply even to Google AI Studio and the unpaid quota.
Source
Checked on 10 Oct 2026. Prices, limits and settings change, so check the source before you rely on them. Not legal advice.