Gemini's new terms might alarm you, but Google says there's no reason to worry

A couple of days ago, Google began sending an email to users to let them know about changes to Gemini on Android. The mail caused some users to worry, here's why. The […] Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Gemini's new terms might alarm you, but Google says there's no reason to worry appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Jun 26, 2025 - 20:20

Gemini's new terms might alarm you, but Google says there's no reason to worry

A couple of days ago, Google began sending an email to users to let them know about changes to Gemini on Android. The mail caused some users to worry, here's why.

The screenshot you see here is from the mail that I received. Let's talk about it, the email said, "Gemini will soon be able to help you use Phone, Messages, WhatsApp and Utilities on your phone, whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off."

That is definitely not something anyone expected. The Phone, Messages, apps are owned by Google, so you may think they just want to integrate Gemini AI everywhere. But WhatsApp? That's a third-party app. When I read it, I wondered whether this was even legal. No app should be able to access another company's app, let alone use it for AI-purposes.

Google's mail also said that the change would start automatically rolling out on 7 July 2025. It states that if users don't want to use these features, they can turn them off in the Apps settings page. This is yet another opt-out scenario, this is getting out of hand, and something that regulators need to change. Google mentions that if users had turned these features off, they will remain off. But there are no such options? The link just takes you to the Gemini Apps Privacy Hub. Seriously, who wrote this? It's so vague, and scary. Maybe Gemini wrote it? Heh.

Android Authority says that it reached out to Google for clarification, here's what the Mountain View company told them.

"This update is good for users: they can now use Gemini to complete daily tasks on their mobile devices like send messages, initiate phone calls, and set timers while Gemini Apps Activity is turned off. With Gemini Apps Activity turned off, their Gemini chats are not being reviewed or used to improve our AI models. As always, users can turn off Gemini’s connection to apps at any time by navigating to https://gemini.google.com/apps."

Confused? Okay, so if you didn't enable the Apps Activity, it won't use the data from other apps to train the AI. But it still has access to the app's data, right? But, according to Google's documentation, "To connect apps to Gemini, you must have Gemini Apps activity on." That's what's changing, Gemini will have access to the apps on your phone, whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off. Here's the official support page that talks about WhatsApp and Gemini.

It says, "Based on your settings, the WhatsApp app might be enabled by default. You can disable this app at any time on your Apps page in Gemini settings". Google says that Gemini cannot read or summarize WhatsApp messages, access images, GIFs, audio, video from your messages.

Here's yet another support page, this time to help you enable/disable apps in Gemini.

How to disable an app in Gemini

1. Open the Gemini app.

2. Tap your Profile picture or initial.

3. Tap on Apps, find the app you want to disable.

4. Follow any on-screen instructions.

You can also do the same via a web browser on Android by going to https://gemini.google.com/. Tap Go to the Menu > Settings & help > Apps, and disable the app.

How to disable an app in Gemini With how AI is being integrated everywhere, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised at these shenanigans. It may only a matter of time before Gemini is baked into Android.

Don't use Gemini if you're worried about your privacy. iPhone users can avoid installing the app, or uninstall it if they have previously downloaded it on their device. Android users can't remove the app, so the only option is to disable Gemini.

Do you use Gemini? What do you think about these privacy changes?

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