Google’s AI is eating your email by default. Here’s how to shut its mouth
Summary
Google has rolled out new Workspace “smart features” that integrate Gemini-powered AI across Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive and Meet. Many users are finding these features enabled by default outside of stricter-privacy regions, which means personal Workspace content and activity may be processed to improve those smart features. Google says Workspace data isn’t used to train generative models outside Workspace without permission, but the default opt-ins and scattered documentation have left users worried about how their emails and documents are being handled.
The Register shows how to check and turn off the settings in Gmail (Settings → See all settings → untick smart features for Gmail, Chat and Meet, then Manage Workspace smart feature settings and switch the additional checkboxes off). Note that some conveniences — inbox categories, grammar/spell checking and autocorrect — depend on those smart features being enabled, so turning them off removes those functions.
Key Points
- Google Workspace “smart features” can process Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive and Meet data to power AI features.
- Some users report being opted in by default; Google says the default differs in regions with stronger privacy laws (EU, UK, Switzerland, Japan).
- Google’s public guidance says Workspace data won’t be used to train non-Workspace generative models without permission, but the opt-in behaviour and separate documentation create uncertainty.
- To opt out: Gmail → gear icon → See all settings → untick the smart features box → reload; then click Manage Workspace smart feature settings and turn off the remaining checkboxes.
- Disabling smart features can remove inbox categories, AI grammar/spell checks and autocorrect, so users trade convenience for privacy.
How to opt out (brief)
1. Open Gmail, click the gear icon and choose “See all settings.”
2. Find the smart features field above “Google Workspace Smart Features” and uncheck the box that enables smart features for Gmail, Chat and Meet. Reload when prompted.
3. Click “Manage Workspace smart feature settings” and switch off the remaining checkboxes.
Context and relevance
This matters because Workspace is deeply integrated into many people’s work and personal lives. Default opt-ins that allow AI to process personal communications raise privacy and compliance questions, especially for those in regulated industries or under strict data-protection laws. The move fits a broader industry trend of vendors embedding AI across services to extract more value from user data — often at the expense of user control.
For IT teams and privacy-conscious users, it’s a timely reminder to audit account settings and admin controls. For the general public, it highlights how convenience features can mask significant data-processing changes.
Why should I read this?
Because Google might already be scanning your inbox and you probably didn’t ask it to. This short guide saves you the hassle of hunting through scattered help pages and shows, in plain terms, how to switch the prying bits off — and what you’ll lose when you do. Quick, useful and slightly alarming. Read it, flip the switches if you care about privacy, and carry on.