Why Gmail's AI Features Might Be a Privacy Concern

Gmail users might want to check their settings. Google has been using data from emails to improve its AI models. This includes personal and work messages, as well as attachments. The company says it uses this information to enhance services and develop new features, like Google Translate and Gemini Apps. Some users are not happy about this. A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Google. The complaint claims that Google secretly turned on Gemini to access private communications, including every email and attachment in Gmail accounts. Google has denied these allegations, stating that Gmail Smart Features have been around for years and user content is not used to train the Gemini AI model.If you're concerned about your privacy, you can turn off these features. However, this might mean losing some useful Gmail functions. For example, opting out will disable the "Ask Gemini" feature, personalized search, and automatic calendar events from emails. It will also turn off features in Maps, Wallet, and Google Assistant. On the desktop, you can find these settings in the "General" tab and "Manage Workplace smart feature settings. " On mobile, go to "Data privacy" in the settings menu. Keep in mind that turning off these features might make you read your emails more carefully, as you won't have automatic filters or smart compose. For many people, the trade-off is worth it. They prefer to have more control over their data, even if it means losing some convenience.