Gmail users are being urged to review their settings after reports that some email data may be used to help train Google’s AI systems, depending on which features are enabled.
In a widely shared post on X, engineer Dave Jones claimed that users were “automatically OPTED IN” to allow Gmail to access private messages and attachments to train AI models, and advised people to turn off certain settings in two places. Google disputes that characterization, saying these long-standing features are not used to train its Gemini AI model.
Google’s privacy policy states that the company uses information “to improve our services and to develop new products, features and technologies that benefit our users and the public,” including using publicly available information to help train its AI models and power services such as Google Translate, Gemini apps and Cloud AI tools.
Concerns over how companies source data to train large language models have grown as AI development accelerates. Previous reporting has highlighted how AI assistants that summarize meetings or automate tasks can create new ways for companies to gather user data in professional settings.
Bloomberg recently reported on a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing Google of “secretly” activating Gemini in a way that allegedly allowed access to users’ Gmail histories, including emails and attachments. In the complaint, plaintiffs say Google “access[ed] and exploit[ed] the entire recorded history of its users’ private communications.” Google did not respond to HuffPost’s questions about the opt-in process or the lawsuit.
A Google spokesperson told HuffPost that the reports are “misleading” and said, “Gmail Smart Features have existed for many years, and we do not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model.” The spokesperson added that the company is “always transparent and clear” when it changes its terms of service and policies.
Public skepticism about AI remains high. According to the Pew Research Center, about six in 10 Americans say they are uncomfortable with how AI is being used in daily life. For Gmail users who want more control over data sharing, it is possible to turn off smart features that rely on analyzing email content.
How to turn off Gmail smart features on desktop
- Step 1: Open Gmail in a desktop browser, click the cog icon in the upper-right corner and choose “See all settings.” In the General tab, locate the “Smart features” section and uncheck the box to disable these features inside Gmail.
- Step 2: In the same section, click “Manage Workplace smart feature settings.” A pop-up window will appear that lets you toggle smart features for Google Workspace and other Google products on or off.
Turning off smart features in Gmail disables tools such as “Ask Gemini” summaries, personalized search based on email content and automatic addition of events from email to your calendar.
Disabling smart features for other Google products will prevent information from Gmail from powering extras such as restaurant reservations and orders in Maps, suggested tickets or loyalty cards in Wallet, and certain answers, reminders and suggestions from Google Assistant and the Gemini app.
How to turn off Gmail smart features on mobile
- Open the Gmail app, tap the menu icon and scroll to Settings.
- Select your account, then choose “Data privacy.”
- Toggle off “Smart features” for Gmail.
- Tap into the “Google Workspace smart features” option and turn off smart features for Workspace and other Google products if desired.
What you lose when you opt out
Disabling these options comes with trade-offs. Turning off smart features removes several tools many users rely on, including:
- Smart Compose suggestions while typing emails
- Automatic sorting of messages into categories such as Primary, Social and Promotions
- Spell check, grammar suggestions and autocorrect in Gmail
Users who opt out retain greater control over how their email data is used, but may need to proofread more carefully and manage their inboxes manually. For people prioritizing privacy and tighter control over AI, that may be a compromise they are willing to make.