Google is countering recent viral social media claims and articles, such as one from Malwarebytes, that allege the company has altered its policy to use Gmail messages and attachments for AI model training. According to these reports, the only way to opt-out is by disabling “smart features” like spell checking.
However, Jenny Thomson, a spokesperson for Google, clarified to The Verge, “These reports are misleading. We have not changed anyone’s settings. Gmail Smart Features have been around for many years, and we do not use Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model.”
Despite this clarification, it may be prudent to review your settings. A Verge staff member noted that they had previously opted out of some Smart Features, only to find themselves opted back in. Earlier this year, Google refined its smart feature personalization settings, allowing users to disable these features for Google Workspace separately from other Google services, such as Maps and Wallet.
Beyond spell checking, Gmail’s smart features offer conveniences like tracking orders or seamlessly adding flight details to your calendar. Activating these features in Workspace involves agreeing to let Google use your Workspace content and activity to personalize your experience. However, Google asserts that this does not involve using your email content for AI training purposes.
