Google Denies Reading Your Gmail to Train Its AI

"However, Malwarebytes later added a giant correction to the story, writing that the "way Google recently rewrote and surfaced [the features] led a lot of people (including us) to believe Gmail content might be used to train Google's AI models, and that users were being opted in automatically. But after "taking a closer look at Google's documentation and reviewing other reporting," it conceded, "that doesn't appear to be the case.""

"A Google spokesperson likewise called the claim "misleading," saying the company had "not changed anyone's settings." "Gmail Smart Features have existed for many years, and we do not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model," the spokesperson said. "Lastly, we are always transparent and clear if we make changes to our terms of service and policies." The controversy highlights ongoing backlash to tech companies shoving their AI features down the throats of users at all costs."

Google denied accessing users' Gmail messages and attachments to train its AI models. Malwarebytes warned that new features gave Google's AI models access to private messages and files, causing concern. Malwarebytes later issued a correction after reviewing Google's documentation and other reporting and said that the earlier interpretation did not appear to be the case. A Google spokesperson called the claim misleading, said no users' settings were changed, and stated that Gmail Smart Features have existed for many years and Gmail content is not used to train the Gemini AI model. The episode reflects broader backlash to companies updating AI training practices and terms without clear transparency.

Read at Futurism