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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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