Editorial illustration for Sen. Warren seeks details on Gemini checkout data shared with retailers
Sen. Warren Probes Gemini's Retail Data Sharing Risks
Sen. Warren seeks details on Gemini checkout data shared with retailers
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has sent a formal request to Google, pressing for a rundown of exactly what information the new Gemini AI will hand off when shoppers click its built‑in checkout button. While the feature promises a smoother buying experience, the lawmaker is zeroing in on the data pipeline that links the model to third‑party retailers.
How many data points travel beyond Google’s servers? Which identifiers—email addresses, device IDs, purchase histories—might be bundled and sent downstream? The inquiry, filed this week, asks the tech giant to spell out both the categories of data and the volume that could end up in merchants’ databases.
In an era where AI‑driven commerce blurs the line between convenience and surveillance, the answers could shape how regulators view privacy safeguards for generative tools.
Warren wants to know what Google Gemini's built‑in checkout means for user privacy.
Warren wants to know what Google Gemini's built-in checkout means for user privacy Warren is asking Google for more details about the kinds of data it will send to retail partners -- and how much. Warren is asking Google for more details about the kinds of data it will send to retail partners -- and how much. Last month, Google announced that it will soon allow users to buy products directly within Gemini through the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a standard it developed in partnership with Shopify, Target, Walmart, Wayfair, and Etsy.
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. "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 letter cites a reply from Google on X in which it clarified that retailers will be able to "show additional premium product options that people might be interested in." 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 formally asked Google for a breakdown of the data flow behind Gemini’s new checkout feature. In a letter to CEO Sundar Pichai, she demanded specifics on what information will be transmitted to retail partners and how much of a user’s profile will be exposed.
The senator warned that without clear safeguards, the integration could enable Google and merchants to exploit sensitive details or nudge consumers toward higher spending. She also raised the possibility that the system might be used to manipulate pricing. Google hasn't yet responded publicly, leaving it unclear whether the company’s design includes robust privacy controls.
The request underscores growing legislative scrutiny of AI‑driven commerce tools. As the dialogue unfolds, the extent of data sharing and the mechanisms for user consent remain uncertain, and further clarification from Google will be needed to assess any real privacy impact. A key question: how much data leaves the chatbot?
Lawmakers may consider additional oversight if the answers do not address the concerns raised.
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Common Questions Answered
How does Gemini 3 enhance Google Search capabilities?
Gemini 3 brings state-of-the-art reasoning and deep multimodal understanding to Google Search, enabling more intelligent and nuanced responses. [blog.google](https://blog.google/products/search/gemini-3-search-ai-mode/) notes that the model unlocks new generative UI experiences with dynamic visual layouts, interactive tools, and simulations tailored specifically to user queries.
What new features are available in the Gemini app with Gemini 3?
The Gemini app now features improved reasoning, generative interfaces like visual layout and dynamic view, and an experimental Gemini Agent for Ultra subscribers. [blog.google](https://blog.google/products/gemini/gemini-3-gemini-app/) highlights that the update includes a redesigned app with a 'My Stuff' folder and enhanced capabilities for complex tasks like inbox organization and travel booking.
Who can currently access Gemini 3 in Google Search?
Currently, Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S. can use Gemini 3 Pro by selecting 'Thinking' from the model drop-down menu in AI Mode. [blog.google](https://blog.google/products/search/gemini-3-search-ai-mode/) indicates that Google plans to bring Gemini 3 in AI Mode to everyone in the U.S. soon, with higher limits for Pro and Ultra plan users.