An urgent alert has been sent out to numerous Gmail users, especially for those who are uneasy about artificial intelligence scanning their emails. The latest advisory was shared online by well-known TV personality and businessperson Lori Greiner.
Over the weekend, the Shark Tank celebrity posted a message on Instagram, warning Gmail users to be cautious and share the information with loved ones to ensure their safety.
The concern revolves around Google’s new AI capabilities, meant to analyze emails for smart searches, context-based replies, and email summaries. Although Google claims it doesn’t read emails for personal use, Greiner remains apprehensive.
In her Instagram post, Greiner emphasized the importance of not overlooking the warning for Gmail users. She revealed that Google has been permitting AI to scan all emails, including sensitive content like financial details, tax information, and personal conversations without the users’ knowledge.
If this revelation has raised concerns, there is a quick solution to deactivate this setting. According to Greiner, it only takes 30 seconds to turn off the AI scanning feature in Gmail.
To disable AI in Gmail, follow these simple steps:
1. Go to Settings and select “see all settings.”
2. Scroll down to locate “Smart features.”
3. Turn off smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet to prevent Google from scanning your messages.
4. Additionally, click on “Manage Workspace Smart Features” and uncheck boxes for Workspace and other products to further restrict data usage for AI.
Google reassures users that personal data is kept secure and inaccessible to its team or external parties. The tech giant clarified that foundational AI models like Gemini do not analyze personal emails extensively. Gemini in Gmail is designed to perform specific tasks, such as summarizing emails, without retaining any data.
However, if the idea of AI scanning bothers you, it may be wise to disable the smart feature in Gmail.
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