Google is expanding AI features across its Android devices and Gmail platform, raising significant privacy concerns among its 2 billion Gmail users. The update enables Google’s cloud-based AI, called Gemini, to access user content—including sensitive data—across apps like Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities.
Earlier communications from Google caused confusion by implying that Gemini would access sensitive app data even if users disabled “Gemini Apps Activity.” Google has since clarified that while Android devices will use Gemini to assist with daily tasks regardless of this setting, disabling Gemini Apps Activity means that chats are not reviewed or used to improve AI models. This change eliminates the previous requirement to keep activity tracking on, which saved user interactions, offering improved privacy control.
However, interactions with Gemini on Android devices are still temporarily saved for 72 hours per account, even when activity tracking is off. Privacy experts warn that this level of access to personal data like call logs and private messages raises concerns about data security and user privacy.
Similar developments are emerging on Gmail, where AI upgrades have conflicted with Gmail’s quasi end-to-end encryption, leaving users with limited choice over data access. Advocates call for transparent, easy-to-manage privacy settings on Gmail comparable to those now clarified for Android.
The expanding integration of AI tools like Gemini coincides with other tech platforms adopting AI features—WhatsApp, for example, now offers AI-generated message summaries. This trend demands greater user awareness of complex privacy policies, especially among younger users who may lack privacy literacy.
Google is also introducing Gemini AI into educational environments, promising to assist with lesson planning and real-time feedback. While Google insists student data will not be used to train AI models or reviewed by humans, this rollout prompts debate about the long-term implications of AI in schools.
Privacy-focused research firm Incogni recently released a “Gen AI and LLM Data Privacy Ranking 2025,” highlighting the widespread data privacy challenges of AI tools integrated into everyday workflows. According to Incogni, Google performs relatively well in transparency and data use policies compared to other major tech companies, though overall risks from unauthorized data sharing and exposure continue to grow faster than regulatory oversight.
Amid these developments, experts emphasize the importance of maintaining user awareness about evolving privacy risks as AI becomes deeply embedded across devices and services.