Gmail users have been automatically opted into a feature allowing Google to scan their emails for AI training, raising significant privacy concerns. This feature, activated in October 2025, enables Google to access and utilize users' email content, including messages and attachments, to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models, such as Gemini. Users must manually disable the Smart Features in multiple locations within their Gmail settings to opt out. The revelation has sparked a class-action lawsuit and concerns about the potential misuse of sensitive personal information stored in emails.
Google users are facing a privacy concern as it has been revealed that they have been automatically opted into a feature allowing the tech giant to access and scan their private emails. This feature, which was quietly activated in October 2025, enables Google to utilize users' email content, including messages and attachments, to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models, such as Gemini.
This means that personal and work emails could be accessed and used without explicit user consent, sparking both controversy and legal action. Electronics design engineer Dave Jones of Australia highlighted this issue, emphasizing that users must manually disable Smart Features in the Gmail settings across multiple locations to protect their privacy. For desktop or laptop users, this involves navigating to the 'See all settings' tab and turning off the 'Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet' option. Additionally, users must manage Workspace smart feature settings and opt out of the permissions there. However, it was found that opting out of these features could negatively impact the organization of the Gmail inbox, potentially removing essential tabs like 'promotions,' 'social,' and 'updates,' leaving users with an unfiltered and disorganized view of their emails. The discovery has led to a class-action lawsuit filed against Google, alleging that the company secretly exploited users' email history by activating the hidden setting. The lawsuit, filed by Illinois resident Thomas Thele, aims to represent all US Gmail users whose email, Chat, or Meet messages were scanned by Gemini AI after the feature was implemented. This issue affects all Gmail users, regardless of the device they use, including those accessing their accounts through the Gmail app on Android and iOS devices. The primary concern is the potential breach of privacy, as emails often contain sensitive information such as financial details, health records, and personal conversations. Allowing AI to access this data raises concerns about potential misuse or unauthorized access. Google's privacy policy states that it uses information to improve its services and develop new products and technologies that benefit users and the public. Nevertheless, the automated opt-in for data scanning raises questions about how user data is handled and its vulnerability to potential security breaches. In the smartphone app, users must tap the menu icon, select 'Settings,' choose their Gmail account, and then tap 'Data privacy' to toggle off 'Smart features and personalization.' Furthermore, they need to access 'Google Workspace smart feature settings' and disable the options for Workspace and other Google products. Upon opting out, Gmail users will experience the loss of features like auto-complete suggestions, spell-check, and quick calendar additions. However, users can re-enable the email scanning at any time if they find the disabled features inconvenient. Critics have raised concerns that opting out may not fully protect user privacy, as the emails of recipients who have not opted out could still be scanned by Google's AI language learning models. These concerns underscore the importance of understanding and managing Gmail settings to protect personal data from potential privacy violations and misuse
Gmail Privacy Google AI Data Scanning
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