Google Faces Backlash Over Default AI Training Settings in Gmail

Google's AI is now snooping on your emails without your permission - here's how to opt out

A lawsuit has been filed charging Google with privacy violations. Are you OK with Google snooping on your private emails to help train its AI without your permission? Nope, didn't think so. But apparently that's what the company has been doing. Also: Are AI browsers worth the security risk? Why experts are worried In a Thursday blog post, security firm Malwarebytes detailed a new change now rolling out to Gmail users in which their private emails and attachments are being used to train the company's Gemini and other AI tools. Specifically, your emails could be analyzed to improve such features as Gmail's Smart Compose, Smart Reply, and predictive text. But it doesn't stop there. Google may also be snooping on your data in Chat, Meet, and Drive. The problem here is that these options could be enabled automatically without your knowledge or permission. I checked the three Gmail settings described by Malwarebytes. All three were turned on. The setting for "Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet" allows Google to use your content in Gmail, Chat, and Meet to provide smart features. The setting for "Smart features in Google Workspace" grants Gemini access to your data, allowing it to summarize your content. The third setting for "Smart features in other Google products" taps into your data in other products to suggest everything from restaurants to event tickets. Now, you may be fine with Google analyzing your private data if it means you can use all its cool AI tools to answer your questions, improve your content, and personalize your experience. That's not the point. Rather, the issue here is two-fold. Also: Google's Antigravity puts coding productivity before AI hype - and the result is astonishing First, Google seems to be opting you in to these features without your permission. Second, the company doesn't seem to have notified its users about this. As a Gmail user, I don't recall seeing any notifications about this change. If you think this sounds unethical, you're not alone. A proposed class-action lawsuit filed on November 11 in federal court in San Jose, California, alleges that Google secretly granted Gemini access to the private communications of Gmail, Chat, and Meet users. As reported by Bloomberg on November 12, the suit charges that doing so without the consent of users and making it difficult to opt out may be a violation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act. So far, Google hasn't publicly chimed in on the lawsuit. I reached out to the company for comment and will update the story if I get a response. If you don't want Google snooping on your data for AI training, you can certainly turn off any or all of the three key settings. Here's how. On the desktop, sign in to the Gmail website, click the Gear icon in the upper right, and then select the button to view all settings. At the General screen on the Settings page, look for the Smart features section. If the setting for "Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet" is turned on, click the checkbox to turn if off. Also: How to turn off Gemini in your Gmail, Photos, Chrome, and more - it's easy to opt out of AI In the next section for Google Workspace smart features, click the button to manage Workspace smart feature settings. At the pop-up window, turn off the switches for "Smart features in Google Workspace" and "Smart features in other Google products." In the Gmail mobile app, tap the three-lined icon in the upper left and select Settings. In the iOS app, tap the setting for Data privacy. In the Android app, tap the name of your Google account. Turn off the switch for Smart features. Tap the option for "Google Workspace smart features" and then turn off the switches for "Smart features in Google Workspace" and "Smart features in other Google products."

Google Workspace AI 'smart features' are on by default

Google's "don't be evil" ethos is so 2015. These days, the Chocolate Factory is all about integrating users with bots, whether they like it or not. Now, it's rolling out Workspace "smart features" that process personal content with AI, and many users are finding the settings enabled by default. Engineering YouTuber Dave Jones noticed this week that he had been opted into a set of new Workspace smart features without ever being asked. According to Google's help page for the features, the point of the on-by-default settings is to add its Gemini AI across Workspace in order to suck in all your Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive, and Meet data so that it can all be cross-referenced. As Google notes further down on the help page - where it says the setting isn't on by default in the EU, Switzerland, UK or Japan due to those regions' more robust privacy laws and tries to justify getting users to opt in - any and all of the smart Workspace features that users enable may result in Workspace content and activity being processed to improve those features. Google is clear on what that means, but not on that help page. You'll need to visit a different article to get the gist of what Google intends to do with Workspace user data. There, you'll find the following passage: We do not use your Workspace data to train or improve the underlying generative AI and large language models that power Bard, Search, and other systems outside of Workspace without permission. When users are opted into smart features without actively granting consent, however, it's entirely possible your personal data - emails, Google documents, and the like - is being used to train Gemini and other AI models without explicit consent. We reached out to Google for clarification, but didn't immediately hear back. Others have reported that their Google accounts haven't been opted in by default to the smart features yet, but when this vulture checked his personal and work Gmail accounts this morning while writing this story, he found that both accounts had the smart features toggled on. It's worth checking yours to be sure you're opted out if you're concerned about the privacy of your personal Google data. Start by logging into Gmail and clicking on the gear icon in the upper right corner of the Gmail screen. From there, click See All Settings. Once the Settings window appears, scroll down until you see the smart features field, which should be directly above Google Workspace Smart Features. Uncheck the box that turns on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet, after which point Gmail will prompt you to reload. Note: If you rely on the inbox categories that Gmail added a while ago, sorry - those are only available if you leave smart features toggled on, since without them the AI won't be scanning your inbox to decide what goes where. Double note: Google has also very helpfully stuck grammar and spell checking and autocorrect behind smart features as well, so if you toggle them off, you're going to have to rely on your own proficiency in the English language - or your OS' built-in spell checking - to keep yourself from appearing to be an idiot. Disabling the first set of smart features won't take care of the rest of the Workspace smart features in the second category mentioned above, so the next thing you'll need to do is click on Manage Workspace smart feature settings to disable those items. Once that's done, you'll be a little bit safer from Google's prying eyes - at least in theory. The Chocolate Factory hasn't been the best at honoring privacy settings in the past, so it's debatable whether these toggles will do much more than simply deprive users of useful features while Google continues to gorge itself on your personal data. ®

Gmail might be harvesting your emails to train AI -- here's how to opt out

Summary Gmail data (including attachments) is used by Google to train AI by default; you must opt out. Sensitive emails -- work, medical, bills -- can be scanned unless you disable smart features. Turn off 'Smart features and personalization' in Gmail and across Google to stop data sharing. A big concern in this new and fancy AI era is taking proper care of the stuff we actually give to AI models. These days, training AI models with your input is typically an opt-in thing -- mostly because governments already had a say in it. Google, however, is apparently taking the liberty to train Gemini using your Gmail account. And you actually need to opt out. Google has apparently implemented data practices within Gmail that allow the company to utilize user emails for training its artificial intelligence models. Google's systems are accessing the contents of emails, including attachments, to refine and power AI-driven features such as Smart Compose and automated reply suggestions. While these features are designed to enhance user convenience, the method by which they are powered has raised significant privacy concerns, particularly because Google has enabled these data-sharing settings by default. This means that unless users take manual action to opt out, their correspondence is currently being used to train Google's algorithms. Because the AI training involves scanning the actual content of messages to understand context and language patterns, sensitive information is potentially vulnerable. Without manual intervention, the system has access to a wide array of private documents that frequently pass through email servers, including confidential workplace conversations, medical records from healthcare providers, utility bills, and monthly bank statements. What's worse is the fact that it's actually opt-out. When you enable AI features within Gmail or Google Workspace, you're automatically giving your consent for Google to scan through all that stuff. Thankfully, as I just said, you can actually opt out. By clicking the gear icon to access the Settings menu -- or selecting "See All Settings" on your phone -- you can scroll down to the "Smart features and personalization" section. Here, there is a checkbox labeled "Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet." Unchecking this box stops the core data collection for these specific communication apps. Desktop users must ensure they scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Save Changes" for the selection to take effect. There's also a second layer of settings that governs how data is shared across the broader Google ecosystem. After addressing the first setting, you must return to the Settings menu and locate the section for "Smart features and personalization in other Google products." This toggle controls how Gmail, Chat, and Meet data is used to personalize experiences in other Google services, such as Maps or Assistant. Once both settings are disabled, the changes apply universally to the Google account, meaning you do not need to repeat the process on every device they own. It's pretty bad, but make sure to follow the above steps so you're completely in the clear. Source: Malwarebytes via AppleInsider

AppleInsider.com

Once again, Google has decided for you that your data is its toy. Here's how to stop Gmail from training its AI on your email. There's no shortage of big tech companies that want to use your data to train their large language models. Recently, I discussed how Meta wanted Facebook users to grant it permission to upload their entire camera roll to its cloud -- perpetually. This time, it's Google doing the data harvesting. Gmail now wants to use your emails -- including any attachments you have -- to train its AI models for features like Smart Compose and AI-generated replies. For some reason, Google has made this feature opt-out by default, rather than opt-in. And, to make matters worse, it's actually enabled in two different places, not just one, as spotted by Malware Bytes. I, as well as my cohorts here at AppleInsider, strongly suggest turning the feature off. There's no reason Google should be able to access sensitive data like emails from your healthcare providers, utility bills and bank statements, or confidential workplace conversations without your explicit permission, if at all. Here's a quick guide on how to disable Gmail AI training -- be sure to do both, or else Google will still be able to use your data to some degree. How to turn off Google's AI training for Gmail, Chat, and Meet Once you've completed that, don't forget to do the second part as well. How to disable Google Workspace Smart Features The setting applies to your account, not just the browser or app. This means you'll only need to disable the feature once for it to apply everywhere. And, good news for users in the EU, Japan, Switzerland, and the UK: apparently, Google's been compelled to opt you out by default -- so you won't need to make any of these changes. As always, I suggest that you help friends and family who may not be as tech savvy navigate these features. Especially if they don't know what they're consenting to by using a service in the first place.

Google Sparks Backlash After Gmail Setting Lets Gemini Peek Inside Inboxes - Decrypt

Google said the system came from long-standing smart features that automate routine tasks. A toggle buried inside Gmail set off a public firestorm this week after users realized it allowed Google's Gemini AI to analyze their emails and calendars by default. Posts across social media showed confusion about when the feature had been enabled and how much personal information it had touched. The uproar intensified as people complained that Google had given no notice that the feature had been activated. Many users said they had never agreed to anything resembling AI training and were surprised to learn their inboxes and scheduling data supported Gemini unless they turned the setting off themselves. "You have been automatically opted in to allow Gmail to access all your private messages & attachments to train AI models," electronics design engineer and content creator Dave Jones wrote on X. You have to manually turn off Smart Features in the settings menu in two locations." What Google said Google said the setting came from its updated Smart Features system across Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Chat, and Meet. The company described the tools as conveniences that relied on Workspace data to handle routine tasks. Examples included adding flight details from Gmail to Calendar, showing order-tracking summaries, compiling tickets and loyalty cards in Google Wallet, and letting Gemini reference Drive files while drafting emails. Google said the update gave users more granular controls and did not change its underlying data-handling practices, but noted that these features required access to email, calendar entries, and other Workspace content to work. The problem, however, is that Google did not give users the chance to turn the feature off before it was in use. Opting out The Smart Features prompt can be accessed in Gmail's settings wheel. "When you turn this setting on, you agree to let Gmail, Chat, and Meet use your content and activity in these products to provide smart features and personalize your experience," the prompt reads. After toggling off "Turn on Smart Features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet," users still need to go to the Manage Workspace Smart Features settings and toggle off Smart Features in Google Workspace and in other Google products to opt out entirely. "I went immediately to my Settings and the explanatory material," another user wrote on X. "Google tells me that the Smart Features are off by default in the UK, and this does seem to be true in my case, if they can ever be trusted." Google did not respond to a request for comment by Decrypt. While Google has worked with artificial intelligence and machine learning for more than a decade, the controversy comes at a time when the technology giant is adding AI to all of its products, including Gmail, video, Chat, search, and phones. In October, Google launched Veo 3, its upgraded AI video generator. Earlier this month, it added Gemini to the Google Maps app, and on Tuesday, Google released the latest version of its flagship AI, Gemini 3. The Gemini backlash is the latest in a long line of complaints and criticisms about how Google handles user data. In 2014, the company acknowledged scanning user emails to protect against malware and spam while tailoring the user experience. "Our automated systems analyse your content (including emails) to provide you personally relevant product features, such as customised search results, tailored advertising, and spam and malware detection," Google's Terms of Service said at the time. "This analysis occurs as the content is sent, received, and when it is stored." Some users on Reddit voiced deeper distrust, arguing that the new setting changed little about how Google handled their data. "They're scanning your email anyway, Gemini or not. They already know everything that's in there, so opting out makes no difference. The option to opt out is there to provide a placebo sense of privacy," a Redditor wrote. "The only way out is to not use Gmail. Even if you do opt out, they will still use your email to train their model. There's just too much data, and data is too valuable not to use, even if it's illegal." The episode showed the challenge of adding generative AI into products used by more than a billion people. As Google pushed Gemini deeper into its productivity suite, the reaction suggested many users remained unclear about when their personal communication data was involved.

If You Use Gmail, You're Going To Want To Turn Off This 1 Automatic Setting ASAP

Another day, another "feature" turned on in a load-bearing app that you might want to turn off. For Gmail users, there is an automatic opt-in that allows Google to use your emailed data (think: your personal and work messages, your attachments) to train its AI models. If you don't want this information shared, you need to adjust your settings. "IMPORTANT message for everyone using Gmail. You have been automatically OPTED IN to allow Gmail to access all your private messages & attachments to train AI models," Engineer Dave Jones shared on X earlier this week. "You have to manually turn off Smart Features in the Setting menu in TWO locations." In the race for companies to get an ROI on AI, we're already seeing language learning models running out of new, human-generated data to train on. And as HuffPost has previously reported, tools like AI assistants that automatically take meeting notes were already being considered an opportunity to passively gain data from users in work settings. (Even boring corporate meetings aren't exempt!) "Google uses information to improve our services and to develop new products, features and technologies that benefit our users and the public," according to the company's privacy policy. "For example, we use publicly available information to help train Google's AI models and build products and features like Google Translate, Gemini Apps, and Cloud AI capabilities." Notably, Bloomberg reports there is already a proposed class-action lawsuit against Google. Per the complaint, users are alleging that the company "secretly" turned on Gemini to "access and exploit the entire recorded history of its users' private communications, including literally every email and attachment sent and received in their Gmail accounts." Google did not immediately answer HuffPost's question about the process of opting users in and out of these features, or the class action lawsuit. If you would like more control over how AI is used in your life (the Pew Research Center reports that 6 in 10 Americans share this concern), and would like to keep the data from your Gmail account being fed into the gaping maw of AI training, there's some good news: You can turn it off. Read on to find out how. To get this feature turned off, you need to open up your settings and manually opt out in two different locations. On desktop, you go to your settings (the little cog up in the top corner) and look in the "General" tab. There, you can do your first opt-out and unselect the "Smart features" Next, you click into the "Manage Workplace smart feature settings" (pictured above), and it will take you to a secondary pop-up that allows you to toggle on and off the features in Google Workspace and other Google products. Opting out of the former will turn off the "Ask Gemini" feature that summarizes content, as well as personalized search and events from your email being automatically added to your calendar. The latter will opt you out of features showing restaurant reservations and to-go orders in Maps, suggested tickets or loyalty cards to use in Wallet and answers, reminders and suggestions from Google Assistant and the Gemini app. If you're on mobile, you can change these settings by going to your settings page (located at the bottom of the inbox menu) and select "Data privacy." From there, you can toggle off "Smart features" and click into the "Google Workspace smart features" menu to turn off the feature for Workspace and Google products again. One annoying part of this is that some useful Gmail features we've gotten used to are eliminated by opting out. Things like "smart compose," as well as the feature that automatically filters your emails into "promotional" and "social" inboxes, and even spell-check, grammar check and autocorrect are currently tied to the Gemini opt-in. So, as you opt out of sharing your information, you might want to consider whether you're ready to lose some features in exchange. And you'll probably have to read your emails a bit more carefully. But for many concerned with their privacy, that's better than letting something else do it.