If you use Gmail, this update is for you.
A new feature has been quietly turned on that may allow Google to use your emails and attachments to train its AI systems. Many users didn’t even know they were automatically opted in — but the good news is, you can turn it off easily.
Tech experts recently warned that Gmail’s “Smart Features” are now linked with AI tools like Gemini. These features can help by showing reminders, adding events to your calendar, or suggesting quick replies — but in return, they may access the content of your personal messages.
Engineer Dave Jones recently posted a viral alert on X (Twitter):
All Gmail users have been automatically opted in. You need to manually turn off Smart Features in TWO places to protect your private emails.
Google says the claims are “misleading” and insists that Gmail content is not used to train Gemini AI. Still, users and privacy experts are raising concerns about data transparency.
To make things more serious, a class-action lawsuit has already been filed accusing Google of accessing users’ private emails without clear consent.
How to Stop Google from Using Your Emails to Train AI
On Desktop:
- Open Gmail.
- Click the Settings icon in the top-right corner.
- Select “See all settings.”
- Under the General tab, scroll down and uncheck “Smart Features.”
- Click on “Manage Workplace Smart Feature Settings.”
- In the pop-up window, turn off all smart features for Gmail, Workspace, and other Google products.
On Mobile:
- Open the Gmail app.
- Tap the Menu (☰) icon.
- Scroll down and select Settings.
- Tap Data Privacy.
- Turn off both Smart Features and Google Workspace Smart Features.
Once completed, your private emails and attachments will no longer be used for AI model training.
Why You Should Take Action
AI is growing fast, and companies are hungry for data to make their systems smarter. That data often comes from real people — like you.
By taking a minute to change this setting, you’re saying “my data, my choice.”
You don’t have to give up privacy for convenience. Keep your Gmail working smoothly while staying in control of your personal information.
