Google Gemini under fire for major privacy change — what you need to know

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Gemini could access even more apps?

Gemini logo on smartphone with the Google logo behind
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

UPDATE (06/26): A Google spokesperson told Tom's Guide, “This update is good for users: they can now use Gemini to complete daily tasks on their mobile devices like send messages, initiate phone calls, and set timers while Gemini Apps Activity is turned off. With Gemini Apps Activity turned off, their Gemini chats are not being reviewed or used to improve our AI models. As always, users can turn off Gemini’s connection to apps at any time by navigating to https://gemini.google.com/apps.”

Original Story follows:

While Google sending this kind of email wouldn’t be outside of the realms of possibility, the actual wording is very strange. For instance, it states that users can turn off the features in the settings page, but it doesn’t have any other information on how to do this.

The apparent email from Google Gemini

(Image credit: aggiesal @ democraticunderground)

Currently, when Google Gemini Apps Activity is activated, Google will store all the relevant information — like chats with the app — in your Google account. This means that you can quickly review prompts, responses and feedback. However, you can elect to turn it off, as well as delete your history, while also being sure that Google won’t use your data to train and improve Gemini products.

As such, the email stating that it doesn’t matter if the feature is on or off is pretty concerning. Especially considering the amount of private information on many of those apps and Google's practice of holding information for 72 hours. Even though it could mean that the Gemini app offers a more enhanced experience for users.

It should be noted that these emails seem to have been sent to a small number of people. We checked many of the devices at Tom's Guide and didn't find any mention of the changes.

As such, it is worth withholding judgment for the time being until we have a clear answer. I have reached out to Google looking for confirmation and clarity, and will update this piece as soon as I hear anything.

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Josh Render
Josh Render
Staff Writer

Josh is a staff writer for Tom's Guide and is based in the UK. He has worked for several publications but now works primarily on mobile phones. Outside of phones, he has a passion for video games, novels, and Warhammer. 

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