Google Refutes Claims That Gmail Content Is Used to Train AI Models
Key Points
- Viral posts alleged Gmail emails were being used to train AI models.
- Google says the reports are misleading and no email content is used for AI training.
- Spokesperson Jenny Thomson clarified that Gmail smart features have existed for years.
- Smart‑feature settings can be toggled for Workspace and other Google services separately.
- Enabling smart features provides conveniences like spell checking and automatic calendar entries.
- The settings note personalization of Workspace experience, not AI training.
- Google has not changed any user settings related to AI data usage.
Viral social media posts claimed that Gmail users must opt out of "smart features" to prevent their emails from being used to train Google’s AI. Google spokesperson Jenny Thomson told The Verge the reports are misleading, stating that Gmail’s smart features have existed for years and that the company does not use email content to train its Gemini AI model. While users can toggle smart‑feature settings for Workspace and other Google products, enabling them does not equate to handing over email contents for AI training.
Background
Recent online posts suggested that Gmail users need to disable "smart features" such as spell checking, order tracking, and automatic flight‑to‑calendar additions in order to keep the content of their emails from being used to train artificial‑intelligence models. The posts also claimed that the only way to opt out was to turn off these features.
Google’s Response
Google’s spokesperson, Jenny Thomson, responded to The Verge, describing the circulating reports as misleading. She emphasized that Gmail’s smart features have been part of the service for many years and that the company "does not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model."
The spokesperson clarified that Google has not altered any user settings and that the smart‑feature personalization options allow users to control how their Workspace data is used for personalization across Google services, not for AI training.
Smart‑Feature Settings
Google offers users the ability to turn off smart features for Google Workspace separately from other Google products. Enabling these features provides conveniences such as spell checking, order tracking, and the automatic addition of flight details to a calendar. The settings page notes that enabling smart features means users agree to let Google Workspace use their content and activity to personalize their experience across Workspace, but this does not imply that email content is harvested for AI model training.
Public Reaction
Some users reported that they had previously opted out of certain smart features only to find them re‑enabled later, prompting further concern. However, Google’s clarification underscores that the smart‑feature functionality is unrelated to the training of its Gemini AI system.