Beginning July 7, a noteworthy transformation will take place in the way Google’s Gemini manages your private data, presenting users with an opportunity to reassess their privacy settings. For those who have engaged with Gemini as their AI chatbot on Android devices, it may come as a surprise that nearly every interaction—whether typed or spoken—has been shared with Google. This encompasses chat histories, voice commands, and activities across various applications such as Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities. By default, this data collection has been enabled for users aged 18 and older.
The forthcoming change is both straightforward and impactful: users will soon have the choice to utilize Gemini as their phone assistant without activating the “Gemini Apps Activity” feature. This means that while you can still make calls, send messages, and adjust settings using Gemini, your interactions will not automatically contribute to Google’s AI training database or be subjected to human review.
This enhancement is a step towards greater user control; however, it is important to acknowledge that it is not a complete solution. Even with the Gemini Apps Activity feature disabled, Google will retain your interactions for up to 72 hours for processing purposes, which is essential for maintaining service functionality. Therefore, while you can mitigate long-term data accumulation, complete privacy remains elusive.
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So, should you turn Gemini Apps Activity off?
In my view, if you rely on Gemini for significant tasks—such as drafting documents, conducting research, or any activity where context and personalization are crucial—keeping the Gemini Apps Activity feature enabled may be beneficial. Google asserts that this setting allows for the most relevant and tailored responses. Conversely, if your usage is more casual, such as sending the occasional text or checking the weather, I suggest toggling the feature off. This adjustment will not compromise essential functionality while limiting the data Google retains about your private exchanges.
The toggle can be found within the Gemini app settings under Gemini Apps Activity. Additionally, users can visit the Your Gemini Apps Activity page on their Google Account to review and delete past activities or set preferences for automatic deletion after 3, 18, or 36 months. It is worth noting that some data may still reside on Google’s servers if it has already been utilized for training or human review.
As I have reiterated, the convenience offered by AI often comes at the expense of privacy. It is ultimately up to each individual to navigate this balance and determine when the tradeoff is acceptable. With this new option from Google, users are afforded a greater degree of agency in making these decisions.
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