Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts is raising concerns about Google’s plans to incorporate a checkout feature into its Gemini AI chatbot. In a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Warren expresses worries about the potential for Google and retailers to misuse sensitive user data and manipulate consumers into overspending.
Google recently announced its intention to enable users to make direct purchases within Gemini using the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a standard developed in collaboration with Shopify, Target, Walmart, Wayfair, and Etsy. While the UCP aims to streamline communication between AI agents and retailers, Warren is seeking clarification on the extent and types of user information that Google intends to share with retailers through this platform.
Warren highlights Google’s vast collection of user search and AI chat data, raising concerns about the integration of this data with user information from other Google services and third-party retailers. She questions whether Google will prioritize shopping results from its retail partners over competitors, potentially influencing consumer behavior in a manipulative manner.
Furthermore, Warren references Google’s acknowledgment that it will leverage sensitive data to encourage consumers to purchase more expensive “premium” products. Google’s response indicated that retailers will have the ability to suggest additional premium product options to users.
In her letter, Warren poses a series of questions regarding user privacy and the impact of user data on pricing. She also inquires whether Google will disclose to users when Gemini recommends a product based on upselling goals, advertising incentives, or sensitive user data. Google has been given until February 17th to address these concerns.
The concerns raised by Senator Warren underscore the importance of transparency and consumer protection in the growing integration of AI technology in e-commerce platforms. It remains to be seen how Google will address these issues and safeguard user privacy in its implementation of the checkout feature in Gemini.
