Google is facing renewed questions over how it handles user data after a recent lawsuit and a wave of public confusion about Gmail’s “smart features” and their connection to AI training.

While Google denies any hidden changes or AI-training practices involving Gmail content, a key concern remains: several data-processing features appear to be switched on by default.

Why it matters

The privacy debate centers on whether Google automatically enabled settings that let Gmail, Chat, Meet, and other Workspace tools use user content to power smart features – and whether this exposure could expand how Google’s AI systems operate. None of the cited settings are new, but their visibility and descriptions were recently rewritten, leading many users to believe their data might be used for AI training without consent, says ZDNet.

A class-action lawsuit filed in November alleges Google “secretly changed certain Gmail settings” to allow the analysis of private emails and other data to train its AI models. The complaint claims that around Oct. 10, 2025, Google “secretly turned on Gemini access for all Gmail, Chat, and Meet accounts,” enabling tracking of private communications by default.

Google denies the allegation, calling the reports misleading and stating it has “not changed anyone’s settings” and does not use Gmail content to train Gemini.

Security firm Malwarebytes – whose post helped spark the controversy – revised its analysis, calling the situation a “perfect storm of misunderstanding.” The firm said the settings were not newly enabled but were surfaced more prominently, prompting confusion. Malwarebytes concluded that automatic opt-ins “do not appear to be the case.”

The underlying concern

Even with those clarifications, three “smart features” settings remain automatically enabled for both new and existing accounts:

• Smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet: lets Google use content and activity for features such as Smart Compose, Smart Reply, and predictive text.
• Smart features in Google Workspace: lets Gmail, Chat, Meet, and Drive content be used to personalize your Workspace experience – such as surfacing travel itineraries in Calendar or enabling Gemini to draft summaries or locate information.
• Smart features in other Google products: lets Workspace content personalize experiences in services like Maps, Wallet, or the Gemini app.

The biggest remaining question: why these features are on by default and not clearly presented as an opt-in choice.

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How to Opt Out of Google’s Smart Features

If you want more control over what Gmail and Workspace tools can analyze, you can disable any of the three settings. Gmail still works normally afterward, though certain conveniences – like Smart Compose – may stop functioning.

Opt Out on Desktop (Gmail Website)

1. Sign in at gmail.com.
2. Click the Gear icon in the top right.
3. Select See all settings.
4. In the General tab, scroll to Smart features.
5. Turn off “Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet.”
6. In the Workspace section, click Manage Workspace smart feature settings.
7. In the pop-up, switch off:
   • Smart features in Google Workspace
   • Smart features in other Google products

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Opt Out on Mobile (Gmail App)

1. Open the Gmail app.
2. Tap the three-line menu → Settings.
   • iOS: Tap Data privacy
   • Android: Tap your Google account name
3. Turn off Smart features.
4. Tap Google Workspace smart features.
5. Switch off:
   • Smart features in Google Workspace
   • Smart features in other Google products