Gmail users are being encouraged to review their account settings amid claims that Google may access email content and attachments to help develop artificial intelligence tools. Cybersecurity experts have suggested that certain “smart features” are enabled by default, allowing data to be used unless users manually opt out. The issue has prompted renewed debate about transparency and consent in the use of personal digital information.
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Google states that it uses information to improve its services and develop new technologies, citing publicly available data and long-standing features within Gmail. The company has rejected claims that private Gmail content is used to train its Gemini AI model, describing some reports as misleading. Nevertheless, the matter has attracted legal scrutiny, with a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging that AI features were activated without adequate user awareness.
Users who wish to limit how their data is used can disable smart features through Gmail’s settings, although the process requires opting out in two separate locations. These changes affect not only AI-generated summaries and suggestions, but also integrated tools across Google Workspace, Maps, Wallet and Assistant. On mobile devices, similar controls are available through the data privacy section of the app.
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Disabling these features may come at a cost, as commonly used tools such as smart compose, automatic inbox categorisation, spellcheck and grammar support are also removed. Users are therefore faced with a trade-off between convenience and control over personal data. For those prioritising privacy, accepting fewer automated features may be considered a reasonable compromise.
