🗂️ What Does Google Do with Your Files in NotebookLM?#
NotebookLM uses your content to answer your questions. But there are important nuances you should know before uploading sensitive documents. 🔍
✅ What It Does#
- The model works exclusively with what you provide
- Each notebook works as an isolated space
- Documents remain as long as the notebook exists
- Deleting the notebook deletes all content
⚠️ The Important Exception#
If you click the 👍 / 👎 rating button, Google collects the associated content:
- Your questions
- Loaded sources
- Generated responses
Stored for up to 3 years, unlinked from your account.
🏢 Workspace Accounts = More Protection#
With a Google Workspace account (business or education):
- ✅ No human review of your uploads
- ✅ Not used for AI model training
- ✅ Stronger contractual framework (Data Processing Addendum)
📋 Generated Content Belongs to You#
Google doesn’t claim ownership over the summaries, texts, or other results you produce with NotebookLM.
💡 Explanation in a nutshell#
NotebookLM uses your files to build your knowledge base, but doesn’t use them to train models — unless you send ratings (👍/👎), in which case the content can be reviewed for up to 3 years. For sensitive documents (personal data, financial information, contracts), the most prudent approach is to use a Workspace or Enterprise account, which offers stronger contractual guarantees and no human review of content.
More information at the link 👇
