Google denies ‘misleading’ reports of Gmail using your emails to train AI
In a recent wave of concern surrounding privacy and data usage, Google has found itself at the center of controversy due to viral claims suggesting that the tech giant has altered its policies regarding the use of Gmail messages for training its AI models. Reports, including one from Malwarebytes, have circulated, asserting that users must disable “smart features” like spell checking if they wish to opt out of having their emails and attachments utilized for AI training. This has sparked alarm among users worried about their data privacy and the implications of AI training on personal information.
However, Google has strongly refuted these claims. Jenny Thomson, a spokesperson for the company, clarified in a statement to The Verge that these reports are misleading. She emphasized that Google has not changed any user settings and that Gmail’s smart features have been in place for years. Furthermore, she asserted that the content of Gmail messages is not used to train the company’s Gemini AI model. This clarification comes at a time when users are increasingly vigilant about how their data is handled, particularly as AI technology becomes more pervasive in everyday applications.
Despite Google’s assurances, users are encouraged to review their settings to ensure their preferences are accurately reflected. A staff member from The Verge noted that they had previously opted out of certain smart features but found themselves automatically re-enrolled. In January, Google updated its personalization settings, allowing users to manage smart features across various Google products, including Google Workspace, Maps, and Wallet, independently. While enabling these features provides conveniences such as tracking orders or integrating flight details into calendars, it also raises questions about the extent of data sharing and personalization. Google’s settings page indicates that by enabling smart features, users agree to allow their Workspace content to be used for personalization, but the company maintains that this does not equate to using email content for AI training. As the dialogue around data privacy continues, it remains crucial for users to stay informed and proactive about their settings.
Google is pushing back on
viral social media posts
and articles like
this one by
Malwarebytes
,
claiming Google has changed its policy to use your Gmail messages and attachments to train AI models, and the only way to opt out is by disabling “smart features” like spell checking.
But Google spokesperson Jenny Thomson tells
The Verge
that “these reports are misleading – we have not changed anyone’s settings, Gmail Smart Features have existed for many years, and we do not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model.”
You may want to double-check your settings anyway, as one
Verge
staffer also says they had opted out of some of the Smart Features, but had been opted back in to having them on. In January,
Google updated
its smart feature personalization settings so that you could turn off the features for Google Workspace and for other Google products (like Maps and Wallet) independently of each other.
In addition to things like spell checking, having Gmail’s smart features turned on enables
features like
tracking orders or easily adding flights from Gmail to your calendar. Enabling the feature in Workspace says that “you agree to let Google Workspace use your Workspace content and activity to personalize your experience across Workspace,” according to the settings page, but according to Google, that does not mean handing over the content of your emails to use for AI training.
