Google has clarified its position regarding the use of Gmail data for AI training, responding to allegations that it has changed its data policies to utilize user emails for training its Gemini AI model. The company’s spokesperson, Jenny Thomson, stated that the reports are misleading and that no changes have been made to the settings of Gmail users. This comes in reaction to various social media posts and articles, including one published by Malwarebytes, which alleged that Google had updated its practices to use user email content for AI model training. Google maintained that its Smart Features, which include functions like spell checking, have been available for many years and that there is no use of user data for training its AI models.
The controversy has sparked discussions about data privacy and the ethical implications of using user information for AI development. While Google asserts that its practices remain unchanged, some users and privacy advocates continue to express concerns about how user data is handled. The company’s response underscores its commitment to maintaining user trust and transparency, particularly in light of increasing scrutiny over data collection and AI ethics. As the debate continues, the situation highlights the broader challenges faced by tech companies in balancing innovation with user privacy concerns.