Keypoints:
- Google grants Gemini AI default access to WhatsApp
- Experts warn of privacy breaches and lack of consent
- Disabling access is complex and buried in settings
GOOGLE has quietly rolled out a major update that allows its Gemini AI to access and act on your WhatsApp messages—even if you’ve disabled tracking settings, prompting privacy concerns across the tech community.
As of July 7, Android users with Gemini installed may find the chatbot interacting with third-party apps like WhatsApp by default. The change means users can now issue voice commands such as ‘Send a WhatsApp to [contact]’ without needing to activate Gemini Apps Activity.
However, tech experts argue the move violates the principles of informed user consent and exposes sensitive personal data to potential review by Google and its service providers.
Experts: ‘This flips consent on its head’
While Google claims Gemini cannot technically read your messages, the functionality means the app can carry out actions using WhatsApp—raising questions about what level of access it really has.
‘The issue isn’t just whether Gemini can read your messages, it’s that it could, unless users proactively opt out,’ said Daniel Frech, a business adviser at Businessmagnet.
‘That flips the principle of informed consent on its head.’
Andy Callaghan, founder of booking system Jammed, agreed:
‘Disabling Gemini’s access isn’t straightforward or easy to find. Users should review their settings immediately.’
Google’s defence: ‘Helpful, not harmful’
Google insists the update is designed to enhance user experience and enable Gemini to carry out basic tasks like messaging, calling, or setting reminders—even when activity tracking is off.
A support page clarifies that some of these actions may still be performed via Google Assistant or system utilities, even if WhatsApp is disabled within Gemini.
But there’s a catch. According to Google’s own privacy documentation, human reviewers may read and annotate user conversations with Gemini to improve the service. Users are warned not to share confidential information that they wouldn’t want seen or stored.
‘Please don’t enter confidential information in your conversations or any data you wouldn’t want a reviewer to see or Google to use to improve our products,’ Google states.
Disabling Gemini access: not so simple
Turning off Gemini’s access to apps like WhatsApp requires navigating a maze of menus:
- To disable the Gemini app entirely:
Settings → Apps → Gemini → Disable - To manage specific app connections:
Open Gemini → Tap Profile → Apps → Toggle off WhatsApp and others - To disable all Gemini App Activity tracking:
Open Gemini → Tap Profile → Gemini Apps Activity → Scroll and switch off
Even when turned off, some data may be stored for up to 72 hours, Google says, to support ‘safety and feedback’ functions.
Users can manage app connections directly at gemini.google.com/apps, where each integration can be toggled on or off manually.
Privacy versus convenience
Gemini is Google’s flagship AI assistant, part of a new generation of large language models designed to automate everyday tasks. But critics argue this automation is advancing faster than public understanding — and regulation.
‘This update is good for users,’ a Google spokesperson told London news outlet Metro, defending the changes. ‘They can now use Gemini to complete daily tasks like sending messages or making calls while keeping Gemini Apps Activity turned off.’
Still, critics say the burden of privacy should not fall on users to untangle — especially when AI systems are given default access to personal apps.
