Gmail Smart Features: Key Privacy Insights

On November 22, updates to a previously published article shed light on a significant misunderstanding regarding Gmail’s handling of email data. The authors revealed that recent changes in wording and placement of Gmail’s smart features settings led to concerns that users’ emails were being automatically used to train Google’s AI models. However, upon further investigation, it appears that while Gmail does indeed scan email content for its smart features—such as spam filtering and writing suggestions—this practice is standard and not representative of training generative AI models.

Google has made it clear that the smart features settings are designed to be opt-in rather than opt-out. Nevertheless, user experiences have shown some inconsistencies in how these settings have been presented, with reports suggesting that many users found these features auto-activated without explicit permission.

This confusion is rooted in Google’s vague terminology surrounding “smart features,” a term increasingly associated with AI advancements. As Gemini’s integration into various Google products becomes more pronounced, the timing of these updates and the vagueness of their wording has understandably raised concerns among users about privacy implications.

A recent update detailed the steps to manage settings related to Gmail’s smart features. Users need to adjust settings in two different places to fully opt out of having Gmail evaluate their messages. First, users should:
1. Open Gmail, either on the desktop or mobile app.
2. Click the gear icon and navigate to ‘See all settings’ for desktop users or ‘Settings’ for those using mobile.
3. Locate the section labeled ‘smart features’ within the Gmail, Chat, and Meet settings and uncheck the related option before saving changes.

Next, users should manage settings for Google Workspace smart features, which involves:
1. Remaining in ‘Settings’, find ‘Google Workspace smart features’ and select ‘Manage Workspace smart feature settings’.
2. Toggle both the ‘Smart features in Google Workspace’ and ‘Smart features in other Google products’ off and save the changes.

To verify that both settings are disabled, refreshing the Gmail app or signing out and re-entering the account can help confirm changes.

Maintaining online privacy is essential, and while Gmail’s smart features aim to enhance user experience, it’s critical for individuals to understand how to navigate these settings effectively. The authors emphasize their commitment to providing accurate guidance and encourage users to consider privacy tools, such as Malwarebytes Privacy VPN, to safeguard their online activities.