Google has once again taken your data for granted. Gmail is now analysing the contents of your inbox, including full emails and attachments, to train its AI systems for features like Smart Compose and automated replies.
The problem is not the existence of the feature. The problem is that it was quietly turned on for everyone by default. Users were never asked to agree. They were expected to stumble upon the setting and turn it off themselves.
To make things worse, the opt-out is hidden in two separate locations rather than a single switch. Anyone who disables only one of them will still have their email data used to some extent.
Big tech companies have been rapidly escalating their appetite for user data. Meta recently experimented with the idea of syncing full camera rolls to support its AI ambitions. Google has now taken a more invasive route by dipping into email inboxes, which often contain the most confidential information a person deals with online. Healthcare reports, payment confirmations, workplace discussions, tax documents and legal correspondence do not belong in an AI training pipeline without clear, informed consent. Treating emails as raw material for product development is a privacy risk that users should not have to defend themselves against.
Stopping Gmail from feeding your inbox into Google’s AI systems requires manual intervention. Begin by opening Gmail on desktop or the iPhone app. Select the gear icon and open Settings or See All Settings. Scroll to the Smart Features section and remove the checkmark from Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet. Desktop users must press Save Changes for the update to apply.
The first switch alone is not enough. A second, less obvious menu continues to permit data use unless it is also disabled. In the same settings screen, scroll further and select Manage Workspace smart feature settings.
Switch off Smart features in Google Workspace and Smart features in other Google products. Save if you see the option. Once both settings are turned off, the choice remains linked to your Google account across every device and platform.
Many users will never realise this data access exists, which is exactly why it is worth helping friends and family review their Gmail settings. Privacy should not depend on a user’s ability to navigate buried menus.
