Say bye to the problematic personalized news feature.

For the average consumer, it will be considered a win for privacy. Today, the company silently turned off their “Personal News” feature on their Google Assistant. 

The end of another Google AI-based program impacts the Android community and Google product users at home. While a standard news feature remains on the Google Nest Mini (6:30 on a Friday), there’s no reasoning behind why it’s gone, according to a report from The Verge. As far as consumers go, many are left to wonder what’s next for the tech giant.

Google’s met their fair share of concern over privacy–or lack thereof–regarding their AI projects. On top of security concerns, there’s also the concern about not controlling your news feed. There’s the concern of fake news hitting the airwaves.

And through it all, top media organizations continue to create short headlines for Google. Some outlets abandoned the route entirely–while engagement through audio remains the oldest living mode of communication.

Forty-one percent of Americans are listening to regular podcasts, a study with Pew Research Center found. Another 83 percent of the public listens to traditional radio. 

An algorithm isn’t currently capable of producing audio-rich news for a large audience demographic. Since the need for audio production is still growing in the digital sector, maybe Google will introduce something new. 

We are finally saying goodbye to a nosy, algorithmic news option that has operated since 2019. Soon, another algorithm will take its place. The goal? To better serve their audience.