Google faces criticism for allowing Gemini access users' Gmail inboxes
Dave Jones, the popular electronics engineer and EEVBlog host, has triggered renewed alarm about Google’s handling of user data, warning that Gmail now “feeds” Gemini AI by default.
This discovery has caused concern about the security of users’ personal information. Jones says Gmail’s integration with Gemini has enabled Google’s generative AI model to automatically analyze users’ calendars, emails, and related context through a largely hidden setting. He claims that this is opt-in by default, leaving many users unaware that they are actually sharing their inbox with Gemini.
Some of the questions these users are asking are when this feature was activated and how many of their personal details it had retrieved. Many of them are expressing their frustration over Google’s action, demanding an explanation for not informing them about the feature’s existence.
Jones sent an alert on X saying, “You have been automatically included to let Gmail access all your private messages & attachments to train AI models. You need to manually turn off Smart Features in two places in the settings menu.”
Google finds itself in trouble with its updated Smart Features system
Google’s act had raised heated debates among individuals. To address this controversy, the California-based tech company attempted to explain that this setting is part of its enhanced Smart Features system, which is found in Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Chat, and Meet. These tools, according to Google, are useful features that use Workspace data for day-to-day tasks.
Some of the examples of these tasks mentioned included adding flight details from Gmail to Calendar, displaying summaries for order tracking, collecting tickets and loyalty cards in Google Wallet, and referencing Drive files while writing emails.
Based on Google’s argument, this update provided better control options for users, but it did not tamper with how it managed data. To work effectively, they noted that these features needed access to emails, calendar events, and other Workspace content.
Even with this explanation, the users still argued that the main issue is that Google did not permit them to disable the feature before it was turned on.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that users can locate the Smart Features option in the Gmail settings menu. When they enable this setting, they permit Gmail, Chat, and Meet to access their content and activity to offer smart features and personalize their experience, said a message from Google.
To completely opt out, the instructions were that once users disabled the “Turn on Smart Features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet,” the next step was to go to the Manage Workspace Smart Features settings. There, they needed to turn off Smart Features in Google Workspace and other Google products.
Google’s move to add AI to all its products faces criticism from individuals
Although Google has been working with AI and machine learning for over ten years, concerns have emerged about Gmail’s feature that allows Gemini to access calendars and emails as the tech company decides to integrate AI into all its products. Examples of these products include Gmail, video services, chat, search functions, and phones.
To support this claim, reports dated October hinted at Google’s new launch of an enhanced AI video generator known as Veo 3. Additionally, the tech giant incorporated Gemini into the Google Maps app earlier this month. It also introduced the latest version of its main AI system, Gemini 3, on Tuesday, November 18.
In the meantime, sources alleged that this recent backlash against Gemini is just one example in a series of complaints filed against Google on how it manages user data.
In 2014, the tech company admitted that it had scanned user emails, claiming that this move was made to safeguard users against malware and spam while customizing their experiences.
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