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WhatsApp data being read by Google's AI project Gemini - safeguarding your privacy explained

Google's upcoming service, Google Gemini, set to launch in July 2025, will reportedly gain access to and record WhatsApp messages, leading to a heated discussion about data privacy among users.

WhatsApp messages being read by Google-AI Gemini: Guiding users on data protection strategies
WhatsApp messages being read by Google-AI Gemini: Guiding users on data protection strategies

WhatsApp data being read by Google's AI project Gemini - safeguarding your privacy explained

In the digital age, privacy concerns are at an all-time high, and the latest debate revolves around Google's AI Gemini. Scheduled to start reading and storing WhatsApp content from July 2025, this system raises questions about profiling, misinterpretations, and misuse of sensitive information.

NextG.tv reports that Google's AI will analyse all content displayed on Android screens, including WhatsApp messages, starting next year. This planned collection of WhatsApp content has sparked a privacy debate among users, with concerns centred around the system's potential to read and store messages.

To protect your WhatsApp data, several key steps are recommended. Manually disabling Gemini’s access on an app-by-app basis is crucial, as there is no universal opt-out switch. Adjusting Google Assistant and Utilities app settings, disabling or limiting Gemini Apps Activity, using temporary or ephemeral chat modes, regularly reviewing and deleting stored data, and considering privacy-focused alternatives are other effective measures.

Despite these precautions, it's important to note that merely relying on default privacy settings will not fully prevent Google Gemini from accessing your WhatsApp content due to its deep integration with your device’s messaging system. Attention is turning to what data is affected, the size of the risk, and whether the data can be protected.

Company communications mention human reviewers and external service providers, adding another layer of complexity to the privacy debate. Official guidelines regarding the feature remain vague, leaving users to navigate the issue on their own.

Meta's end-to-end encryption does not apply to this issue, as it involves access outside the messenger. As the debate continues, it's essential for users to stay informed and take proactive steps to protect their privacy.

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