An alert labeled as ‘important’ has been issued to numerous Gmail users, urging caution if you are uncomfortable with the idea of artificial intelligence (AI) scanning your emails. The recent warning was shared online by Lori Greiner, a well-known American TV personality and entrepreneur.
Over the weekend, the star of Shark Tank took to Instagram to relay a message, advising Gmail account holders about the need to be vigilant and protect themselves and their loved ones. The concern arises from Google’s introduction of new AI smart functionalities, which aim to analyze emails for smart searches, contextual responses, and email digests. While Google asserts that it does not read messages for personal use, Greiner expressed unease about the situation.
In her Instagram post, the celebrity emphasized the importance of heeding the warning if you are a Gmail user. She highlighted that Google has been permitting AI to scan all emails, including sensitive information like financial documents, tax details, and personal conversations, without users’ knowledge.
If this revelation has raised concerns for you, there is a simple solution to disable this setting. Greiner reassured users that they can deactivate AI scanning in Gmail within 30 seconds. By accessing Settings, clicking on “see all settings,” scrolling down to locate “Smart features,” and turning off smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet, users can prevent Google from scanning their messages.
Additionally, by clicking on “Manage Workspace Smart Features” and deselecting the boxes for Workspace and other products, users can further limit data usage for AI. Google maintains that personal data is not viewed by its team or third parties and assures the security of users’ information.
According to Google, its foundational AI models, including Gemini, are not trained on personal emails. Any access granted to Gemini in Gmail is for specific tasks such as summarizing emails, with the guarantee that inbox contents remain private. Gemini does not retain user data and processes information securely within the inbox, ensuring privacy.
For individuals who are uncomfortable with the concept of AI scanning, it may be advisable to disable the smart features in Gmail.
