New Delhi: in the modern world where everyone is accepting AI for their task. However some companies are facing backlash, Google is pushing back against viral posts claiming the company changed its rules to let Gmail messages and attachments train its Gemini AI models. The confusion started after a widely shared Malwarebytes article said Gmail users could only stop this by turning off “Smart Features”, like spell check and other built-in tools.
Google says this is wrong. A spokesperson, Jenny Thomson, told The Verge that the company has not changed any user settings and does not use Gmail content to train Gemini. She explained that Smart Features have been in Gmail for many years and simply help with small tasks, such as tracking packages or adding events to your calendar automatically. These features are not connected to AI training.
Still, some users are unsure
One employee at The Verge said they had turned off several Smart Features earlier, but later found the settings switched on again. This added to the confusion online. Google did update its personalisation controls in January. With that update, users can manage Smart Features separately for Workspace apps and for other Google products like Maps and Wallet. This change may be why some people feel their settings look different or have been reset.
Smart Features inside Workspace allow Google to use your activity across Workspace tools to personalise what you see, but Google says this does not mean Gmail messages or attachments are used to train any AI model, including Gemini.
Smart Features
When they are on, Gmail can suggest quick actions, track orders, highlight important info, and automatically add travel or meeting details to your Google Calendar. When they are off, Gmail stops using email content to create these small, helpful reminders. Personalisation becomes limited, but your email is still not used for AI training.