An alert of significance has been issued to numerous Gmail users, prompting attention for those who are uneasy about artificial intelligence scanning their emails. The latest advisory was shared online by American television personality and businesswoman Lori Greiner.
Over the weekend, the Shark Tank celebrity posted a message on Instagram urging Gmail account holders to stay vigilant and share the information with their loved ones for added protection.
The concern arises from Google’s new AI capabilities, which aim to analyze inboxes for enhanced search functionalities, contextual responses, and email summaries. While Google asserts that it does not read messages for personal use, Greiner remains apprehensive.
In her Instagram post, the celebrity emphasized the importance of not disregarding the warning, pointing out that Google has been permitting AI to scan all email content, including financial records, tax details, and personal conversations without users’ knowledge.
For those feeling concerned, there is a simple solution to disable this setting. Greiner reassured followers that it only takes 30 seconds to turn off the AI scanning feature in Gmail.
To deactivate AI in Gmail, follow these steps:
1. Access Settings and click on “see all settings”.
2. Scroll down to locate “Smart features”.
3. Disable smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet to prevent Google from scanning your messages.
4. Additionally, deselect the options for Workspace and other products under “Manage Workspace Smart Features” to fully restrict AI data usage.
Google maintains that personal data is never accessed by its team or third parties and assures users of data security. The tech giant clarifies that its AI models are not trained on personal emails and any access granted for tasks like email summarization is limited to that purpose.
However, for individuals uncomfortable with AI scanning, it may be advisable to disable the smart feature in Gmail.
Remember, your inbox privacy is a top priority.
