Google has officially refuted claims that it is utilizing user Gmail data to train its artificial intelligence models, stating these reports are misleading. The company emphasized that its Smart Features, including spell checking and other automated tools, have been available for years and that it does not use email content for training its Gemini AI. In response to recent viral social media posts and articles by Malwarebytes, a Google spokesperson, Jenny Thomson, told The Verge that no changes have been made to user settings. This clarification comes amid growing concerns over data privacy and the ethical use of user information in AI development.
The controversy emerged after a series of articles and social media posts alleged that Google had updated its policies to use user email data for AI training, with the only way to opt out being by disabling smart features. These reports sparked widespread concern among users about privacy violations and potential misuse of personal data. However, Google has maintained that its practices have remained consistent, and the recent allegations are based on a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of its current policies.
Jenny Thomson’s statement at The Verge was part of a broader effort by Google to address public concerns about data usage and AI ethics. The company also highlighted that its Gemini AI model is trained on a vast amount of text data, but this data does not include user emails or attachments. This clarification is crucial in the context of increasing scrutiny over tech companies’ data practices and their impact on user privacy. As AI technology continues to evolve, such controversies underscore the importance of transparency and clear communication regarding data usage policies.