According to The How-To Geek, Google is currently using Gmail user data including email contents and attachments to train its artificial intelligence models by default. The company’s systems scan through personal correspondence to power features like Smart Compose and automated reply suggestions. This data collection is automatically enabled for all users unless they manually opt out through specific settings. The scanning process potentially exposes sensitive information including workplace communications, medical records, and financial documents. Users must disable “Smart features and personalization” in both Gmail and across other Google products to fully stop the data sharing. The changes require saving settings manually and apply universally to the Google account once completed.
The Opt-Out Reality
Here’s the thing that really gets me about this situation. Most AI companies these days make data collection for training an opt-in process. You know, that little checkbox that says “Help improve our AI by sharing data” that nobody reads? But Google flipped the script entirely. They’re just taking your emails by default and only stopping if you specifically tell them not to. It’s like walking into a restaurant and the waiter automatically brings you the most expensive dish on the menu – you only get something else if you complain.
What’s Actually Being Scanned?
When we talk about AI training data, we’re not just talking about metadata or subject lines. Google’s systems are reading the actual content of your emails to understand language patterns, context, and writing styles. Think about what’s in your inbox right now. Work emails with proprietary information? Medical test results from your doctor? Bank statements and utility bills? All of it could be feeding into training models for Gemini and other Google AI products. The company claims this makes features smarter, but at what privacy cost?
How to Actually Stop It
So here’s the practical part. You need to disable two separate settings to fully opt out. First, in Gmail settings, find “Smart features and personalization” and uncheck the box for turning on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet. Don’t forget to save changes – that trips up a lot of people. Then you need to go back and find the separate setting for “Smart features and personalization in other Google products” and turn that off too. Basically, you’re closing two different data-sharing doors that Google left wide open by default.
Why This Matters
Look, I get it – we all trade some privacy for convenience these days. But this feels different. When you’re dealing with email, you’re dealing with the most personal digital correspondence most people have. It’s where we discuss medical issues, financial problems, family matters – the real stuff of life. The fact that Google assumes consent rather than asking for it shows how normalized data harvesting has become. And honestly, how many regular users even know these settings exist? Probably not many. They’re just going about their day while their inbox becomes training fodder.
