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 [Turning this sh1t off is not as easy as they make it sound.]

Google Gemini can now read your WhatsApp chats without you knowing  but you
can stop it

Date:
Tue, 08 Jul 2025 17:33:26 +0000

Description:
If you don't take action, Google Gemini can start interacting with your
Messages, WhatsApp, Utilities, or Phone apps on Android starting from July 7,
2025.

FULL STORY

Starting from Monday (July 7, 2025), Google has changed how its AI chatbot
communicates with some third-party apps on your Android device. 

This means that Google Gemini can now interact with Messages, WhatsApp,
Utilities, or Phone applications. The change is set to automatically roll out
for Android users, whether the device's Gemini Apps Activity is on or off. 

While the update aims to make it easier for Gemini to interact with your
device and boost your overall experience, concerned users may have to 
actively turn these features off to prevent Gemini from accessing their chats
and other personal data.

What's changed

As Google explains in its support page , "Gemini can connect with services
called apps to better help you get things done." 

This, for example, means that the AI chatbot can now send a WhatsApp message
for you, set timers, and even initiate calls. 

Crucially, these changes are expected to be rolled out automatically even if
you have your Gemini Apps Activity switched off on your Android device. 

As Google explains on its website, Gemini Apps offer direct access to Google
AI functionalities while storing your personal data to provide the service 
and maintain its security. Crucially, the provider logs your chats in your
account for up to 72 hours, whether Gemini Apps activity is on or off. 

If you are an Android user, you should have received an email from Google to
notify you about these changes.

Should you opt-out? 

While some users may find that these new interactions will ultimately turn
Gemini into a better phone assistant , some may see the change as intrusive
and would like to opt out. 

Certainly, the team behind the encrypted email service, Tuta , believes this
update to be concerning.

"While some may think this is a win for user privacy, as now Android users 
can use Gemini integrations with Gemini App Activity turned off (previously 
it would only work when turned on), at Tuta we see still see this as a cause
for privacy concern," the provider wrote in a blog post . 

"This Gemini update highlights the need that tech companies must be stopped
from quietly opting users into new features. Google  and others - must be 
more transparent with what the changes made actually mean for users data, and
how they affect user privacy." How to stop it 

As per Google's instructions, Android users are expected to take active 
action to prevent Gemini from interacting with their apps. 

"If you don't want to use these features, you can turn them off in the Apps
settings page," reads Google's email. "If you have already turned these
features off, they will remain off." 

Experts at Tuta put together a practical guide on how to stop Gemini from
interacting with third-party apps. 

So, if you want to halt Google's Gemini tracking, Tuta suggests turning 
Gemini off . You should be able to do that by heading to your Android 
settings and tab Disable Gemini App. 

Alternatively, you can choose to completely uninstall Gemini from your 
Android using the dev tools on a desktop PC. Bear in mind that this process
requires some Android technical knowledge. 

Experts also suggest looking out for new Android operating system updates , 
as Gemini features may be added to some phones on a later date.

======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/google-gemini-can-now-read-
your-whatsapp-chats-without-you-knowing-but-you-can-stop-it

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