Disable Gmail’s Gemini AI in Two Easy Steps
Gmail users may find their privacy at risk due to a new feature that automatically opts them in for data sharing with Google’s AI models. This includes the potential access to personal and work emails, and their attachments. Cybersecurity experts have raised concerns about the implications of this feature, dubbed Gemini, advocating for user control over settings.
Understanding Gmail’s Gemini AI Feature
Engineer Dave Jones recently highlighted on social media that Gmail users have been automatically enrolled in a program allowing access to their private messages and attachments. This data may be utilized to enhance AI models. Users have the option to opt out, but it requires navigating multiple settings.
Steps to Disable Gmail’s Gemini AI
If you wish to maintain your privacy, here’s how to disable Gmail’s AI-training opt-in feature:
- For Desktop Users:
- Open your Gmail settings by clicking the cog icon in the top corner.
- In the “General” tab, unselect “Smart features” to opt out.
- Next, go to “Manage Workplace smart feature settings” to adjust additional settings related to Google Workspace.
- For Mobile Users:
- Access the settings page at the bottom of the inbox menu.
- Select “Data privacy” to find the option to toggle off “Smart features.”
- Click into the “Google Workspace smart features” to ensure those features are disabled as well.
What You Might Lose
Bear in mind that opting out of these smart features might remove some useful Gmail capabilities. Features such as:
- Smart compose
- Automatic email filtering (Promotional and Social inboxes)
- Spell-check, grammar check, and autocorrect tools
For many users concerned about their privacy, losing these features may be a worthwhile trade-off. However, it’s essential to consider the implications of opting out.
Legal Concerns and User Control
As concerns over data privacy grow, a proposed class-action lawsuit against Google indicates users feel their consent was overlooked. The lawsuit alleges that Google secretly activated Gemini to access extensive records of users’ emails. Google’s representatives assert these claims are misleading. They maintain transparency in their data usage policies.
For users, the decision to disable Gmail’s Gemini AI function is a personal choice balancing privacy and convenience. As the dialogue surrounding data privacy continues, being proactive in managing account settings has never been more critical.
